About the Fellowship
Each year, the LA Press Club pairs five talented journalists from communities historically excluded from the media with newsroom veterans to actively work on securing a valuable work opportunity. More than a mentoring relationship, this partnership aims to figure out how to launch career dreams and take concrete steps together to get there.
Click here to read what some of our fellows had to say about the program!
Who Can Apply
This fellowship is open to any early-career journalist in Los Angeles looking to move to their next big opportunity. You might be a recent grad, in an entry-level position, or completing an internship at a media company. If you have been in journalism for less than five years, you should apply!
Application Timeline
* January 8, 2025 — Extended Application Deadline
* January 31, 2025 — Fellows Announced
* February 22, 2025 — Fellowship Begins
* July 2025 — Fellowship Culminates
Ready to Apply?
This year, the Los Angeles Press Club fellows will also receive a $3,000 stipend! Apply today and don't miss out on this awesome opportunity. Got a question? Email [email protected].
Meet Our Mentors
Shana Nys Dambrot
L.A. Weekly
Shana Nys Dambrot is an art critic, curator and author based in downtown Los Angeles. She is the arts editor for L.A. Weekly, and a contributor to Flaunt, Art & Cake, and Artillery.
She studied art history at Vassar College, writes book and catalog essays, curates and juries exhibitions, is a dedicated Instagram photographer and the author of the experimental novella "Zen Psychosis."
Nic Cha Kim
PBS SoCal
Nic Cha Kim is the Senior Producer for Arts & Culture at PBS SoCal, where he produces the anthology documentary series Artbound. Nic previously reported for SoCal Connected on KCET and worked as a multimedia journalist for Spectrum News 1 and Free Speech TV.
Devoted to increasing diversity in the newsroom, Nic co-chairs the Foot in the Door Fellowship and mentors for PBS NewsHour Student Reporting Labs.
David Ono
ABC7
David Ono co-anchors ABC7's Eyewitness News at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. He has witnessed history worldwide, covering the pope, royal weddings, natural disasters and terrorist attacks. He has also traveled across Europe and Asia, chronicling the brave acts of the Nisei soldiers from World War II.
David has produced multiple award-winning documentaries, two of which have made their way to the Smithsonian Institution.
Bianca Rae
CBS Los Angeles
Bianca Rae is an Emmy-winning journalist in Los Angeles and the founder of the Bianca Rae Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit serving underprivileged middle school children. Now at CBS Los Angeles, Bianca previously anchored the evening news for Spectrum News LA.
Bianca received a star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in 2017, the youngest honoree in history, for her activism and philanthropy in Southern California.
Catalina Villegas
Spectrum News 1
Catalina Villegas is an anchor and reporter for Spectrum News 1 in L.A. She anchors "Your Weekend," a one-hour news show Saturdays at 5 p.m. She has worked at local, national and international levels for stations ranging from CNN to CBS, NBC and Univision.
This veteran journalist is known for her passion and extensive experience in every area of the newsroom, from anchoring to producing and reporting.
Foot in the Door Fellowship Class of 2024
Foot in the Door Fellowship Class of 2023
Foot in the Door Fellowship Class of 2022
Foot in the Door Fellowship Class of 2021
Foot in the Door Fellowship Class of 2020
Andrea
Gutierrez
Hawken
Miller
Shivani
Patel
Matthew
Rodriguez
