OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Mvskoke Media was recently awarded the Borealis Philanthropy Racial Equity in Journalism Fund grant. Authorization for the grant to be expended was introduced in National Council bill NCA 23-007. The bill was first passed through the Business, Finance & Justice subcommittee, then unanimously passed by the National Council in the quarterly session on Jan. 28.
The $100,000 grant will allow the department staff to attend training conferences. It will also allow for the purchase of new computer equipment and software. This includes iMacs, iMac Studios, and raid hard drives.
It will also allow the department to contract with two producers to produce video programs and purchase Hootsuite for social media management. The video programs are set to feature Mvskoke religious and cultural programming.
According to the Borealis Philanthropy website, the REJ fund was launched in 2019 and has since contributed over 10 million dollars to over 40 organizations. Their values are responsiveness, racial equity, trust, people-centered, curiosity, and boldness.
These values guide the nonprofit in its mission to pour millions of dollars into minority communities across the United States.
Borealis’ mission statement reads as follows.
“Borealis works with funders to direct resources to people building powerful, thriving communities. We invest in leaders, organizations, and movements using diverse and leading-edge strategies to pursue transformational change.”
Mvskoke Media Director Angel Ellis (Mvskoke) released a statement regarding her department being chosen for the grant.
“The grant is one of the ways Mvskoke Media is working to control the cost of bringing important information to the Mvskoke citizen,” Ellis said. “We understand the importance of diversifying revenue sources.”
According to Ellis, Mvskoke Media has experienced significant equipment, training, and broadening content needs. Many in the department have had to use personal resources to perform this vital service to the community.
“Mvskoke Media was awarded the Borealis Philanthropy Racial Equity in Justice for $100,000,” Ellis said. “This funding will be used to provide for those areas identified as priority needs to help maintain quality services and revenue streams for the department.”
“It’s one of the ways we are working hard to be good stewards of the Nation’s resources.”
