Michael D. Bolden is the new managing director, editorial and operations, for the John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships at Stanford.
Bolden joins the JSK program from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, where he has served as the foundation’s first editorial director for the past four years.
As the rise of digital platforms disrupted legacy approaches to reporting, distributing and financing news, the Miami-based Knight Foundation emerged as an early and leading funder of initiatives and organizations focused on testing and developing innovative and sustainable models for journalism.
Bolden’s strong journalistic background plus his experience immersed in the foundation’s efforts made him an ideal addition to the JSK leadership team.
“I’m delighted to have Michael join the JSK Fellowships as we’re building a team to help our program and our fellows tackle some of the biggest challenges facing journalism,” said Dawn Garcia, JSK director. “Michael brings deep journalistic experience and core journalism values along with a broader view of innovation and experimentation in the news and information ecosystem from his time at Knight Foundation. We look forward to tapping his talents in the service of journalism innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership.”
Bolden joins the JSK leadership team as one of two managing directors working with Garcia. Pam Maples, formerly JSK’s innovation director, was promoted to managing director, selection and partnerships, on Feb. 1. Her core responsibilities involve managing the selection, partnerships, and recruiting elements of the program. Bolden will manage the editorial, operational and alumni elements of the program.
Before joining Knight Foundation, Bolden worked at The Washington Post for 13 years, where he led the development and transportation reporting team and worked as an editor for The Washington Post Magazine, Style and Sunday Arts. Earlier in his career, he worked for the Miami Herald, the Northwest Florida Daily News and The Times-Picayune (New Orleans).
At Knight, Bolden was responsible for developing and implementing content strategy for one of the country’s leading philanthropic institutions. In addition to journalism, Knight focuses its support on the success of cities, the arts and technology innovation. Bolden led the foundation’s editorial strategy across all areas.
He said the JSK Fellowships was a natural next step, allowing him to draw on his experiences across journalism and the nonprofit world to work closely with journalist fellows who come to Stanford to work on ideas for meeting the challenges facing journalism. He will begin work at JSK on July 10th.
“The John S. Knight Journalism Fellowships is one of the premier programs supporting entrepreneurs and innovators in news organizations,” Bolden said. “I’m thrilled to join the team to help amplify the impact of the program, to champion the efforts of our fellows and alumni from around the world, and to tell the story of how JSK, and our partners across campus, in Silicon Valley and throughout the field are helping lead journalism to a stronger future.”
Bolden was a fellow in the Maynard Media Academy’s entrepreneurial leadership program at Harvard University and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama. He is a longtime member of the National Association of Black Journalists, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, the National Press Club, NLGJA-the Association of LGBTQ Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and Sigma Tau Delta, the international English honorary.