Dayton, OH - July 11, 2023 – Elevate Dayton, a local news organization dedicated to impactful, community-centered journalism, is proud to announce its inclusion in the new Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub established by the Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University.

This news comes just as Elevate Dayton graduates from the Google News Initiative's North American Sponsorship Lab, marking a new milestone in its mission to elevate the voices and issues of the Dayton community.

The Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub, a collaborative initiative between Medill and the nonprofit Solutions Journalism Network, aims to provide rigorous training programs in the craft of solutions journalism, focusing on reporting that addresses systemic problems and their responses. Elevate Dayton joins a selection of prestigious news organizations and colleges from across the Midwest region, including Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, to champion the future of solutions journalism.

"As an organization, Elevate Dayton has always been about providing our readers with journalism that not only addresses the issues in our community but also looks for the solutions," said Elevate Dayton Publisher Nate Dillard. "Being part of the Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub will empower us to push forward this mission, benefiting from the resources, training, and networking opportunities that Medill's program provides."

The acceptance of Elevate Dayton into the Hub underscores the recognition of the quality of its journalism and its commitment to solutions-oriented reporting. It marks an important step in enhancing the organization’s capabilities and reach, providing the tools and resources necessary to deepen their impact within the community.

“Solutions journalism, which is a rigorous approach to covering pressing social problems, is a missing piece of the inclusion puzzle,” says Deborah Douglas, director of the Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub. “This storytelling approach marries well with how Elevate Dayton has approached its existing coverage. Participation in this Robert R. McCormick Foundation-funded initiative is an invitation to amplify more about what’s working in Dayton, or might. Audiences are more engaged by stories that prioritize solutions or potential ones, over merely defining problems.” 

Having recently graduated from the Google News Initiative's North American Sponsorship Lab, Elevate Dayton is well-equipped to leverage the benefits of this new partnership. The Google News Initiative lab helped equip Elevate Dayton with the skills and strategies to drive growth, strengthening its business model and expanding its audience.

"Both the Google News Initiative and Medill's Solutions Journalism Hub are instrumental in enhancing our ability to serve the Dayton community," Dillard added. "Through the training and support we've received and will continue to receive, we're better equipped to deliver compelling stories that not only address our community's pressing issues but also shed light on potential solutions."

The partnership with the Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub promises an exciting new chapter for Elevate Dayton, ensuring that it continues to lead the way in community-centered, solutions-oriented journalism.