We’re happy to announce that Charity Scott has joined MLK50: Justice Through Journalism as our managing editor. Scott started Sept. 30 and will lead the daily operations of the newsroom, shepherding the heart of the organization: the journalism.
“I hope to support the already excellent work being published by the MLK50 newsroom by providing local leadership,” said Scott. “I want to help our team produce ambitious work that centers the lives of the most vulnerable residents of our city, treats every Memphian humanely and upholds our high ethical standards.”
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An Ohio native, Scott previously worked for Capital B, a local-national nonprofit news organization that centers Black voices, as the audience development editor where she envisioned and executed strategy and promotion for the organization’s national website, local network and events.
Before that, she spent over a decade at The Wall Street Journal, most recently as an award-winning corporate reporter. In 2021, she conceived of and co-led the team that developed the Journal’s package commemorating the centennial of the Tulsa race massacre, which won a New York Press Club award and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Scott says MLK50’s “laser focus” on the intersection of poverty and power resonates with her deeply. “I have a background in business journalism and have pushed previous newsrooms to think about how to cover the institutions and systems that influence, control and exploit the lives of poor people — those who enrich themselves by creating poverty.”
In her role, Scott will lead and collaborate with a growing team. In May, the staff welcomed a new development manager; in July, our youth life and justice reporter joined the team, and this week, MLK50 is welcoming back Brittany Brown, who’s rejoined the team as our public safety and justice reporter.
For now, Scott said her initial goals are to explore the city, meet as many Memphians from all walks of life as possible, support a healthy workplace culture, deepen MLK50’s partnerships with other local news organizations and edit “some excellent journalism.”
“Memphis has such a rich, deep and diverse culture, and I look forward to educating myself more about the city’s history in the coming weeks, months and years.”
Adrienne Johnson Martin is co-executive director of MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Contact her at adrienne.martin@mlk50.com
This story is brought to you byMLK50: Justice Through Journalism, a nonprofit newsroom focused on poverty, power and policy in Memphis. Support independent journalism by making a tax-deductible donation today. MLK50 is also supported by these generous donors.