Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will join the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s journalism school in July as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

Hannah-Jones, who covers civil rights and racial justice for The New York Times Magazine, won the 2020 Pulitzer for commentary for an essay she wrote as part of The 1619 Project, which highlights the long-term consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans.

The appointment marks a return to the university for Hannah-Jones, who earned a master’s degree at its Hussman School of Journalism and Media in 2003.

“This is the story of a leader returning to a place that transformed her life and career trajectory,” Susan King, dean of the journalism school, said in a statement posted on UNC’s website Monday.

“Giving back is part of Nikole’s DNA, and now one of the most respected investigative journalists in America will be working with our students on projects that will move their careers forward and ignite critically important conversations.”

The 1619 Project marked the 400th anniversary of the first enslaved Africans being brought to what became the United States. The project has been among the most widely read and debated works of journalism in recent years. While many praised it as a needed reassessment of American history, some scholars disputed it as excessively harsh in places.

Then-President Donald Trump and other conservatives rejected it entirely.

Before leaving office, Trump established a “1776 Commission” that issued a report meant to counter The 1619 Project and support what Trump called “patriotic education.” The American Historical Association denounced the 1776 report as hasty, simplistic and reliant at times on “falsehoods, inaccuracies, omissions, and misleading statements.” President Joe Biden revoked the report on his first day in office.

Hannah-Jones began her career as an education reporter in North Carolina. She then worked at The Oregonian and at ProPublica before joining The New York Times in 2015. She tweeted Monday that she will continue to work for The Times.

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation endows the Knight Chair professorships, which allow top professionals to teach journalism students. Hannah-Jones will join Knight Chairs at 21 other colleges and universities, the statement said.

“The University has given me a lot,” Hannah-Jones said, “and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back by helping students pursue their dreams and learn how to practice the type of journalism that is truly reflective of our multiracial nation.”

 

Photo via Dan Sears.

 

Related Stories
‹
After Trump’s Win, Russian Disinformation Aims To Drive a Wedge Between the US and Ukraine
Since the U.S. election on Nov. 5, the Kremlin has used state-run media and its networks of fake news sites and social media accounts to push divisive narratives about the war.
Big Tech Grapples With Russian State Media, Propaganda
Written by DAVID KLEPPER and AMANDA SEITZ As Russia’s war in Ukraine plays out for the world on social media, big tech platforms are moving to restrict Russian state media from using their platforms to spread propaganda and misinformation. Google announced Tuesday that it’s blocking the YouTube channels of those outlets in Europe “effective immediately” but acknowledged “it’ll […]
Inside the ‘Big Wave’ of Misinformation Targeted at Latinos
Written by AMANDA SEITZ and WILL WEISSERT Before last year’s presidential election, Facebook ads targeting Latino voters described Joe Biden as a communist. During his inauguration, another conspiracy theory spread online and on Spanish-language radio warning that a brooch worn by Lady Gaga signaled Biden was working with shadowy, leftist figures abroad. And in the […]
Tennessee Won’t Incentivize COVID Shots but Pays to Vax Cows
Written by TRAVIS LOLLER Tennessee has sent nearly half a million dollars to farmers who have vaccinated their cattle against respiratory diseases and other maladies over the past two years. But Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who grew up on his family’s ranch and refers to himself as a cattle farmer in his Twitter profile, has […]
New White House Panel Aims To Separate Science, Politics
Written by SETH BORENSTEIN Eager to the turn the page on the Trump years, the Biden White House is launching an effort to unearth past problems with the politicization of science within government and to tighten scientific integrity rules for the future. A new 46-person federal scientific integrity task force with members from more than two dozen government […]
More Support Easing Vaccine Patent Rules, but Hurdles Remain
Written by JAMEY KEATEN France joined the United States on Thursday in supporting an easing of patent and other protections on COVID-19 vaccines that could help poorer countries get more doses and speed the end of the pandemic. While the backing from two countries with major drug makers is important, many obstacles remain. The move to […]
Republicans Promote Pandemic Relief They Voted Against
Written by STEVE PEOPLES Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y., said it pained her to vote against the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. But in the weeks that followed, the first-term Republican issued a news release celebrating more than $3.7 million from the package that went to community health centers in her district as one of her “achievements.” She […]
Biden Aims to Vaccinate 70% Of American Adults by July 4
Written by ZEKE MILLER and JONATHAN LEMIRE President Joe Biden on Tuesday set a new vaccination goal to deliver at least one shot to 70% of adult Americans by July Fourth as he tackles the vexing problem of winning over the “doubters” and those unmotivated to get inoculated. Demand for vaccines has dropped off markedly nationwide, […]
Biden Quadruples Trump Refugee Cap After Delay Backlash
Written by MATTHEW LEE, ZEKE MILLER and JULIE WATSON President Joe Biden formally raised the nation’s cap on refugee admissions to 62,500 this year, weeks after facing bipartisan blowback for his delay in replacing the record-low ceiling set by former President Donald Trump. Refugee resettlement agencies have waited for Biden to quadruple the number of refugees […]
'1619 Project' Writer To Join UNC Journalism School Faculty
Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones will join the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s journalism school in July as the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism. Hannah-Jones, who covers civil rights and racial justice for The New York Times Magazine, won the 2020 Pulitzer for commentary for an essay she wrote […]
›