GARY — Javonte Anderson has always wanted to tell stories about his hometown.
Now, as the editor of the newly-created Capital B Gary newsroom, Anderson will get to do just that.
"When I heard Capital B was coming to Gary I was blown away," Anderson said. "The concept of a newsroom coming to Gary was mind-blowing."
Launched in 2022, Capital B is a local and national nonprofit newsroom that is led by Black journalists and focuses on Black communities. The national site produces stories on topics like health, education and the environment, issues that impact Black people across the country. The outlet's first local bureau, Capital B Atlanta publishes information relevant to residents, like how to apply for affordable housing, political explainers and where to vote.
Javonte Anderson is the editor of the newly-launched Capital B Gary news outlet. The digital newsroom will focus exclusively on the Steel City.
Capital B announced they would be launching their second local newsroom in Gary last winter. While Gary's population is less than seven-times smaller than Atlanta's, Anderson said the city's strong African American community and need for a dedicated, hyperlocal news outlet made it a perfect fit for Capital B.
"Capital B saw the value in bringing a newsroom to Gary exclusively," Anderson said, noting one of the Steel City's biggest challenges is its "stigma and the way Gary is still perpetrated in the media."
Growing up in Gary, Anderson's dream was to work at the Post Tribune "as that was our paper of record." He achieved that dream after graduating from Indiana University Bloomington. After two years at the Post, Anderson started working at the Chicago Tribune and then the Toledo Blade. He eventually became a national reporter covering racism and history for USA Today.
However, Anderson said getting to start a news outlet in his hometown might just be a career high.
The last few months have been busy for Anderson. So far the Capital B team consists of just three people — Anderson, health and environment reporter Jenae Barnes and youth and education reporter Maddy Franklin. The team had to create the website, start the social media accounts and prepare a lineup of stories for Capital B's Oct. 31 launch.
Capital B Gary's work can be accessed online and is entirely free. The news outlet also has a weekly email newsletter. Anderson said they have discussed the possibility of making some articles available in print. Capital B's new office is located in the historic Gary State Bank building at 504 Broadway.
While the newsroom is still being established, Capital B Gary's goals are clear.
Anderson said he wants the publication to increase civic involvement in the city, improve government transparency, question what needs to change in the city and spotlight all the good things happening in Gary.
Currently, when you Google "Is Gary Indiana," the first three autocomplete words that pop-up are "dangerous," "safe" and "abandoned." Anderson said it's time to change the city's "algorithm."
“When we have these outside media folks who come in … and they just want write this big, sexy piece where they go and take pictures of every abandoned building in the city, then that’s what’s promoted," Anderson said.
A prime example of Gary's negative portrayal in the national media came in 2019 when Gary was named the "Most Miserable City in America" by Business Insider. The article cited the city's population decline and crime rates. However, current Mayor Jerome Prince, who was a mayoral candidate at the time, said the article failed to look at "the human side" of Gary.
Anderson said he often is met with an "audible gasp" when he tells people where he's from.
“It’s like people are scared of the city ... that’s why I think Capital B Gary is so important to contribute to this media landscape and help change that narrative," Anderson said. "Sometimes it's just about giving more exposure to everything that’s happening in the city. There are more things happening than just the crime, than just another abandoned building."
This desire to see more positive news coming out of Gary prompted Capital B to start the "Community Spotlight," a regular feature that highlights a person, place or thing that is enriching the city. Capital B's first Community Spotlight was on an entrepreneur who recently opened a flower shop in the city.
The outlet also wants to listen to Gary residents and hear what they want to see covered. Capital B has already received over 100 responses from an online survey and they gave out supplies during a back-to-school fair. Capital B is also launching a community documenters program.
Starting in December, Gary residents who participate in a brief training can get paid $20-an-hour to attend city meetings and take notes. The notes will then be published on Capital B's website.
“Community engagement is the engine that drives Capital B," Anderson said.
Over the next few months, Capital B hopes to grow its team by adding a community engagement editor, a government and politics reporter, and a business reporter.
“It has been challenging, an insane amount of work, but also very exhilarating," Anderson said. "I still wake up with a pep in my step every morning."
Capital B Gary's website can be accessed at gary.capitalbnews.org. The community survey is available at gary.capitalbnews.org/gary-report-back/.
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