Gujarat based Vibes of India (VO!) has found place in the class of ’22 at the fourth cohort of the prestigious Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program at Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism (CUNY), New York. Vibes of India is the only start up from India in the class. The class will have 32 journalists including former editors of New York Times, prominent newspaper and digital media editors who are now transitioning to entrepreneurial ventures.
According to the University, “an exceptional group of journalism entrepreneurs from around the world – representing 15 different countries – has been selected for the Spring 2022 cohort of Entrepreneurial Journalism Creators Program at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism.”
Vibes of India is the first start up from Gujarat to have been selected for the course. This batch, it is the only Indian start up also. The 100 day course is part of a highly competitive international programme that aims to make outstanding entrepreneurs from outstanding journalists who have chosen to go independent.
Vo! founder Deepal Trivedi will represent the portal at the 100-day programme that starts from today,March 24. The programme aims at a providing participants learn to identify and sustainably fill gaps n the news ecosystem. The participants learn to analyse market needs, craft business models and study about international revenue opportunities.
VO! will be entirely supported by a generous grant from the Meta Journalism Project for this programme.
Jeremy Caplan who will lead the cohort has described Deepal as “open-minded, accomplished and well positioned to develop a sustainable , independent, innovative niche journalism venture”.
The program will focus on exploring international market opportunities, further clarifying the vision held by VO!, develop and strengthen Vo!, plan smart growth and sharpen its’ business model.
Participants for this prestigious program include:
1. Deepal from Vibes of India, Gujarat, India
2. Hannah Ajakaiye, Lagos, Nigeria
3. Ambreen Ali, NJ, USA
4. Heba Alkadri, from Syria now in Germany
5. Dana Amihere, LA, USA
6. Zoila Antonio Benito, Lima, Peru
7. Joanne Bamberger, Washington DC, USA
8. Cecilia Bazan, Cordoba, Argentina
9. Namrata Bhingrade, Pune, India
10. Lynn Brown, New York, USA
11. Zoe Bunje, Hessen, Germany
12. Lucia Caretti, Turin, Italy
13 . Shawn Carrie , Beirut, Lebanon
14. Patricio Contras, Santiago, Chile
15. Boryana Dzhambazova, Sofia, Bulgaria
16. Ties Gijzel, Utrecht, The Netherlands
17. Pit Gottschalk, Germany
18. Sandra Hannebohm, Nova Scotia, Canada
19. Nicole Hertvik, Gaithersburg, Md, USA
20. Claudia Jardim from Brazil, working for Human Rights in
Thailand
21. Dylan Klempner: Silver Springs USA
22. Joanna Kopacka from Poland, working in Berlin, Germany.
23. Nneka Okona, Atlanta, USA
24. Nelson Apochi Owoicho, Abuja, Nigeria
25. Ira Puranick, Ghaziabad, India
26. Sowmya Rajaram, Bengalaru, India
27. Mohammed Rayaan, Chennai, India
28.Ayodeji Rotinwa, Abuja, Nigeria
29. Ambika Samarthya Howard, New York, USA
30. Alec Schreck, Washington DC, USA
31. Judith Torrea, Chihuahua, Mexico
32. Constance White, New York, USA
You can find the bio of the entire class of 22 here.
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Deepal Girishbhai Trivedi, sponsored by Meta Journalism Project, is a senior journalist based in India. After an illustrious journalist stint as an Editor and Director of various publications, she launched Virago Media Private Limited to foster independent journalism and book writers. Vibes of India which is nine-months old on March 24 is available in English, Gujarati and Hindi on Android and iOS phones.
Vo! already has over 1.4 million people across the world who read and follow it for the most authentic, unbiased and independent coverage from Gujarat. It is a multilingual, multimedia start-up that targets interest in truth With the motto, #onlythetruth, it specializes in authentic, inclusive reportage from Gujarat.
Deepal has been awarded scholarships, including the Chevening Fellowship (United Kingdom), Jefferson Fellowship (USA), and Asia Journalism Fellowship (Singapore). Her work has appeared in Times of India, NDTV, Indian Express, The Asian Age, Deccan Chronicle, Sambhaav Media Group, The Strait TImes, Mumbai Mirror, Ahmedabad Mirror of The Times Group, The New York Times, The Quint, The Wire et al. Her reportage has been quoted by the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch.
She has journalism training from The Mail on Sunday (London), Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, San Hose Mercury News and New York Times (all in the US). She holds a Master’s in Developmental Communications besides certification from National Institute of Design, Westminster University, East West Centre in Hawaii and NanyangTechnological University in Singapore. As a Chevening alumna, she studied at Westminster University in London. As a Jefferson alumna, she has been to University of Chicago, Berkeley, George Washington University and East West Centre in Hawaii and Washington DC.
Deepal is currently working on a book on the political history of Gujarat commissioned by an international book publishing house.
Congratulations, Really it is a proud moment for all of us that Deepal has not only making successful footprint but also flying flag high with full jeal and enthusiasm as a true journalist.