LGBTQ journalism thrives when diverse voices have the opportunity to tell their stories. The Community Journalism Fellowship will mentor emerging LGBTQ journalists by providing training, editorial guidance, and opportunities to publish impactful reporting through OutSmart Media.

By investing in the next generation of storytellers, the fellowship will expand representation in journalism, strengthen community storytelling, and build a sustainable pipeline for the future of LGBTQ media.

The OutSmart Foundation’s LGBTQ Wealth Empowerment Series addresses systemic barriers to financial security facing LGBTQ communities. Through trusted journalism and community education, the series will provide accessible guidance on building credit, managing debt, saving for retirement, and investing.

By expanding access to financial knowledge and resources, this initiative aims to strengthen long-term financial stability, promote economic equity, and help LGBTQ individuals build pathways to greater financial independence.

Through dedicated journalism, the OutSmart Foundation highlights the stories of LGBTQ business owners and their vital contributions to our community and local economy. Upcoming reporting projects will examine barriers to funding and access to capital while sharing success stories that inspire and inform.

This initiative will also connect LGBTQ entrepreneurs with affirming financial institutions, resources, and practical guidance to help strengthen business development and expand economic opportunity across the community.

Wellness is about more than treatment—it’s about helping communities thrive. This initiative will focus on preventative care, mental health, and healthy living by connecting LGBTQ individuals with practical resources and affirming healthcare providers.

Through dedicated journalism and community education, the project will promote preventative health services such as HIV, STI, and cancer screenings, encourage access to affirming mental health care, and provide guidance on healthy living, including fitness, nutrition, and self-care.

This initiative will explore the unique health challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals, including aging, HIV/AIDS awareness and treatment, mental health, chronic disease prevention, and access to affirming care. Through journalism, we will highlight barriers to care, address social determinants of health, and advocate for inclusive policies.

This series will highlight LGBTQ entrepreneurs driving innovation in healthcare—from developing affirming health technologies to launching inclusive clinics and pharmacies. OutSmart will explore their contributions, examine the barriers they face, and document how their work is expanding access to affirming care and advancing health equity for LGBTQ patients.

Through in-depth reporting and storytelling, the project will connect readers with resources, inspire future innovators, and demonstrate the broader economic and community impact of LGBTQ-led healthcare initiatives.

The OutSmart Foundation will document and preserve the history of LGBTQ communities in Houston through interviews, archival research, and long-form storytelling. This project will capture the experiences of community leaders, activists, artists, and everyday individuals whose contributions have shaped the region’s LGBTQ history.

Through journalism and digital storytelling, the initiative will help ensure these stories remain accessible to future generations while strengthening public understanding of LGBTQ history and cultural heritage.

This initiative will examine how misinformation and harmful narratives affect LGBTQ communities and provide readers with tools to better understand media coverage of LGBTQ issues. Through reporting, explainers, and community resources, the project will promote media literacy and encourage more informed public conversations.

By helping audiences recognize misinformation and access trusted sources, the series will strengthen understanding of LGBTQ issues while supporting a more informed and inclusive public discourse.