The Journalism Lab is excited to announce a two-day community journalism summit in Dayton on Thursday, January 22, and Friday, January 23, 2026.

    Join us for two days of workshops and panel discussions at the Dayton Metro Library Main Branch, where we’ll share key reporting tools with the community and discuss — with your input — the state of journalism in the Midwest with journalism experts.

    Highlights include 90-minute workshops on media literacy, photojournalism, audio journalism and news writing.

    Attendance is free!

    Register for the workshops and panel discussions below (spaces are limited for the Thursday workshops).

     

    Thursday, January 22: Journalism training workshops

    Location: Conference Room 3A, Dayton Main Library (third floor).

    Workshop 1 – Media Literacy  

    Time: 11am  

    Sign up here.

    Workshop 2 – Photojournalism 

    Time: 1pm 

    SOLD OUT

    Workshop 3 – Audio Journalism 

    Time: 3pm 

    Sign up here.

    Workshop 4 – Pitching Stories & News Writing 

    Time: 5pm 

    SOLD OUT

     

    Friday, January 23: Panel discussions on opportunities & challenges facing local journalism

    Location: Eichelberger Forum, Dayton Main Library.

    Time: 10am – 5pm

    Sign up here.

     

    Panel discussion 1: How can journalism better incorporate young people?

    Eichelberger Forum

    Time: 10am

    Panel speakers: Noah Schlarman, editor Sinclair Community College’s Clarion newspaper; Joanne Casale, media arts & journalism teacher at Ponitz High School; Esperance Amuri, Sinclair Community College graduate and journalist; Cristina Tinsley, student reporter, Meadowdale Career Technology Center.

    One-hour discussion followed by Q&A

     

    Panel discussion 2: How journalists can better engage with their communities

    Eichelberger Forum

    Time: 1:30pm

    Panel speakers: Peter Benkendorf, founder, the Collaboratory; Lauren Karch, storyteller & City of Troy communications specialist; Jim Noelker, photojournalist; Natasha Williams, broadcast journalist & news anchor.

    One-hour discussion followed by Q&A

     

    Panel discussion 3: The future of local & regional journalism

    Eichelberger Forum

    Time: 3:30pm

    Panel speakers: Te’Jal Cartwright, owner and lead storytelling coach of Lore Storytelling; Luke Dennis, general manager, WYSO; Jessica Graue, journalism professor, Sinclair Community College; Josh Sweigart, investigations editor, Dayton Daily News.

    One-hour discussion followed by Q&A

    (Free, underground parking is available on site at the library.)