Black Girl Times Announces First Alice Dunbar Nelson Journalism Fellow

Journalist Christy Perez brings stories of reinvention and the Deep South

“Resurrection is not just a story of the past; it is the rhythm of people and communities who rise again and again from what tried to silence them.” image credit: courtesy of Perez

For the next six months, journalist Christy Perez, Th.D. will work with Black Girl Times, BGX (the news and communication outlet of The Lighthouse Black Girl Projects) to tell the kind of stories that open hearts, challenge power and push all to see Black girls and women in their full brilliance. 

The fellow: about journalist Christy Perez

Perez and her work have been a fixture in Black Girl Times going back several years. Her most recent work for BGX includes a series on the prison system and its illusions of freedom. "As an Afro-Latina who has suffered the impact of multiple systems of oppression and “safety net” failures," she says, "I feel connected to advancing that work via amplifying narratives and telling stories that influence the reader for good, expose harm, demand accountability and celebrate the come-back stories of those who have also been harmed by our society."

The vision: about the fellowship

The Lighthouse leadership team designed this fellowship for writers who are ready to take their reporting, storytelling, and editorial leadership to the next level. Fellow, like Perez, will sharpen their craft, build a portfolio of powerful stories and receive mentorship from the BGX editorial team. 

The inspiration: about Alice Dunbar Nelson

The inspiration for the BGX fellowship comes from Alice Dunbar Nelson: a southern writer and activist.

Born in 1875, Alice Dunbar Nelson was among the first generation of Black women born free in Louisiana after the end of the Civil War. She became a writer, poet, teacher and activist. She was married to poet and performer Paul Lawrence Dunbar.

The future: becoming the next Alice Dunbar fellow

The next applications for the fellowship will open in February of 2026. Interested journalists should be:

• Based in or deeply to connected to the Deep South 

• A journalist/storyteller with a proven commitment to telling stories that uplift Black girls, women and other marginalized groups

• A strong writer and storyteller with curiosity and integrity  

Submit inquiries and questions to: bgx@loveblackgirls.org with the subject line “BGX Senior Fellowship Application