The
Hispanic Link Journalism Foundation:
In 1995, the Ericksen-Mendoza family established The Hispanic
Link Journalism Foundation to provide unique educational
and professional opportunities and training for the development
of individuals interested or pursuing careers in journalism
and communications. The Link was incorporated as a nonprofit
501(c)(3) organization by Charles A. Ericksen, its current
board chairman; the late Sebastiana Mendoza Ericksen,
and their son, Héctor Ericksen-Mendoza, its executive
director.
Since 1981, Hispanic Link News Service has trained more
than 50 aspiring journalists for periods ranging from
several weeks to a year or more. It has worked with individuals
who lacked any prior journalism training or experience
as well as those with limited experience seeking daily
capital exposure to advance their careers. The Foundation
also engages with Bell Multicultural High School, the
César Chávez Charter Leadership School (correct name?),
the national Upward Bound program and other educational
and journalism institutions in instructing and hosting
students and interns of high school age.
Hispanic Link-trained journalists have become recognized
leaders within the profession and in their communities.
They have progressed into high-level editing positions
with both English-language and Spanish-language media,
served on the National Association of Hispanic Journalists'
board and as presidents of Latino news media associations
in Washington, D.C., and elsewhere. One has established
himself as a nationally syndicated columnist and author.
Others have advanced to positions in the broader communications
field, as press secretaries for members of Congress, public
relations executives, press and government relations officers
for major national organizations, and as writers working
within the White House and for Cabinet members.
Using Washington, D.C., as its "journalism campus," the
Foundation provides educational and professional enrichment
with an expanding variety of programs. Some include: student
luncheon series with authors, media workshops, journalism
fellowships, and partnerships with organizations such
as the Close Up Foundation, Young D.C. newspaper, and
Young Playwrights' Theater of D.C. YPT is an inner-city
program that teaches high school and junior high students
the elements of dialogue and resolution of conflict through
writing plays for presentation in the community. On a
limited basis, Hispanic Link also distributes grants to
groups that qualify as tax-exempt organizations under
Section 501(c)(3).
1420 N Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20005
Phone: 202.238.0705
Fax: 202.238-0706
www.HispanicLink.org
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