NLGJA 2026 National Convention: Full Schedule

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9:45am PDT

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

The intersex community is two percent of the population, but you wouldn’t know it from the news stories dominating the headlines today. How can journalists better cover the intersex community in an age when sex and gender are polarizing the populace? This workshop will feature a thoughtful discussion about better ways to include intersex voices in coverage of the biggest storylines of the moment. Many intersex people have experienced deep medical trauma that makes sharing their stories difficult. Some intersex people don’t learn they are intersex until later in life, as Sara did. You’ll learn about what it means to be intersex. You’ll leave with resources that will make your journalism have a deeper impact, including organizations that can help you tell your story, how to find intersex sources and in which stories those voices should be heard.

Speakers

Sara Bonisteel

Assistant Director, The New York Times

A journalist with more than 25 years of experience, Sara Bonisteel (she/her) has written about Canadian butter tarts, all-you-can-eat chicken dinners in Michigan and the World’s No. 1 Elvis fan. She has a master’s degree in journalism from Northwestern University and studied cultural... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Seacliff C

Breakout Session

9:45am PDT

Bi and Trans: The Intersections

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

Seacliff A

This panel will explore the intersection of bisexual and transgender history, advocacy issues, everyday shared life experiences and how to bring these issues to life in stories.

Speakers

Amber Dodd

Producer, The National LGBTQ Task Force

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Seacliff A

Breakout Session

9:45am PDT

ChatGPT For Real Newsroom Work

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

Seacliff D

Everybody is talking about AI. But who is actually using it well? In this practical session, OpenAI Academy will share AI workflows for journalists, shaped by actual newsroom experience: finding sharper story angles, preparing better interviews, making sense of messy documents, cleaning up data, and improving drafts. You will leave with ways to start using AI today, grounded in how journalists actually work. The goal is simple: spend less time wrestling with tedious tasks, and more time doing the journalism only humans can do.

Speakers

Evan Hirsch

OpenAI

Evan Hirsch helps lead OpenAI’s adoption efforts for the journalism industry, working closely with newsroom leaders and staff members, and across OpenAI’s Global Affairs and Media Partnerships teams. Before joining OpenAI, he spent more than two decades in broadcast journalism... Read More →

Sponsors

OpenAI

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Seacliff D

Breakout Session

9:45am PDT

Sound Like Yourself: Using Your Voice Across Audio and Video

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT

Seacliff B

In this session, we’ll break down what actually makes voices engaging, and why sounding natural takes skill. You’ll explore the difference between voice and speech, how writing choices affect delivery and how small shifts in pacing, pitch and emphasis can change how your reporting lands. We’ll listen closely, try short, practical exercises, and talk about how to self-diagnose what’s working — and what’s getting in the way of an engaging delivery.
This is not about adopting a “broadcaster voice” or flattening or losing an accent. It’s about developing vocal expression that supports your journalism and respects the listener’s ear. You’ll leave with: a clearer understanding of what audiences respond to — and why; tools for sounding more conversational, confident, and engaged; a stronger sense of how writing and voicing work together; and simple techniques you can use immediately to improve your delivery.

Speakers

George Bodarky

Reporter Trainer, National Public Radio

George Bodarky is a reporter trainer on the NPR Training team. Before joining NPR, he served as the Community Partnerships & Training Editor at WNYC, where he built a comprehensive newsroom training program and coached scores of reporters, hosts, editors, and producers on voicing... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 9:45am - 10:45am PDT
Seacliff B

Breakout Session

11:00am PDT

Covering A Divided Nation: Lessons from Black and Brown Media

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Seacliff B

As we head into a high-stakes midterm election season, community journalists are bridging the gaps across ideological, geographical, and cultural divides for voters nationwide. This comes as the national discourse remains polarized more than ever before. This session brings together a group who are not just seeing America's divisions in their nuanced, ground-level reporting, but working to comprehend, document and advance understanding of them ahead of and during the 2026 election. This panel will discuss how to thoughtfully cover elections through a cultural lens. Each panelist also brings a unique perspective shaped by the challenges and resilience of the communities they cover.

Speakers

Da'Shaun Harrison

Executive Director, Development, Scalawag

Sonali Kohli

Senior Recruiter, URL Media

Sonali Kohli (she/her) is the author of the young adult nonfiction book Don’t Wait: Three Girls Who Fought for Change and Won, which was published in June 2024 by Beacon Press. Don't Wait follows the stories of three young women activists of color fighting for some of today’s... Read More →

Anajana Nagarajan-Butaney

Journalist, India Currents

Anjana Nagarajan-Butaney is a journalist at India Currents and Founder/Producer at desicollective.media where she reports on the South Asians diaspora, covering the social and cultural impact of issues like immigration, health, social justice, politics, census, elections, technology... Read More →

Mariana Duran Flores

Reporter, El Tecolote

Mariana Duran is a bilingual reporter based in San Francisco. She covers the city’s Latino communities, focusing on immigration, health, culture, housing and affordability.

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Seacliff B

Breakout Session

11:00am PDT

Follow the Money: AI and the Cross-Platform Global Newsroom

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Seacliff C

Following the money has always been at the heart of the best journalism, and AI is reshaping how newsrooms uncover, connect and explain the business forces driving our world. Using real-world examples and practical insights, this panel of senior Bloomberg talent will explore how AI is transforming not only the newsroom of the future, but also the way journalists cover business, tech, finance and money today. Across platforms and formats, the discussion will also highlight the enduring value of trusted journalism, human judgment and original reporting.

Moderated by Ben Steverman, Reporter, Money & People
Todd Gillespie, Finance Reporter
Nikki Waller, Managing Editor, Equality, Money & Management
Rakshita Saluja, Executive Editor, Digital
Jillian Ward, Executive Editor, Technology
Lynn Doan, Managing Editor, Technology

Speakers

Josh Eidelson

Senior Reporter, Bloomberg

Josh Eidelson covers the workplace as a senior reporter for Bloomberg News and Bloomberg Businessweek. His work is frequently cited by public officials and scholars, and has been honored by groups including UCLA Anderson’s Loeb Foundation; the Society for Advancing Business Editing... Read More →

Rakshita Saluja

Executive Editor and Global Head of Digital Audience, Bloomberg

Rakshita Saluja is Executive Editor and Global Head of Digital Audience at Bloomberg News. She is responsible for digital audience strategy for Bloomberg.com, the consumer app, newsletters, social platforms and video distribution.
Rakshita has been at Bloomberg for over a decade, working in several different roles across the newsroom. She joined in 2013 to run the Bloomberg.com frontpage and few years later was the Managing Editor for the Americas News Desk. In 2020, Rakshita launched Bloomberg Equality where... Read More →

Todd Gillespie

Finance Reporter, Bloomberg

Todd Gillespie is a finance reporter in New York, covering major US banks and the high-finance boutiques of Wall Street. He previously covered Europe’s energy sector from London.

Lynn Doan

Managing Editor of Enterprise Technology, Hardware and Global Cybersecurity, Bloomberg

Lynn Doan is managing editor of enterprise technology, hardware and global cybersecurity at Bloomberg News, where she oversees a group of reporters and editors covering everything from the AI data center boom to misinformation, surveillance and cyberattacks.

Lynn previously led Bloomberg's energy and commodities coverage and has spent two decades covering industries and markets. Lynn has written for publications including Businessweek, Bloomberg Markets magazine, the Los Angeles Times, the Hartford Courant and SNL Energy, now a division... Read More →

Ben Steverman

Bloomberg

Ben Steverman is a New York-based reporter on Bloomberg News' Money team. His weekend essays, feature stories and profiles frequently appear in outlets including Bloomberg Businessweek and Markets magazines, as well as the Big Take and Everybody's Business podcasts. During the 2023-2024... Read More →

Sponsors

Bloomberg

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Seacliff C

Breakout Session

11:00am PDT

Radical, Unreasonable Queer Hospitality Now

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Seacliff D

This roundtable invites journalists to leave their favorite tables and bar stools and join culinary professionals for real talk about what radical, unreasonable and queer hospitality looks like, past and present. Long before Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third place” in “The Great Good Place,” bars, restaurants and cafes were sites for “regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.” This roundtable focuses on real examples from queer communities across the Americas. Speakers include not only restauranteurs and writers but also growers, distributors, and others currently involved in radical, unreasonable, and queer hospitality.

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Seacliff D

Breakout Session

11:00am PDT

The Reality of Freelance Journalism Today

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Seacliff A

Independent journalists are on the rise. Even as AI and mass layoffs continue to reshape the news business, independents are building their own platforms from scratch on social media and through newsletters — and earning money while doing it. This session covers building sustainable business systems for freelancers and creator journalists, including how to determine fair rates, manage time, network with intention, and protect yourself — and your intellectual property. Learn from seasoned freelance journalists how to generate multiple revenue streams, earn consistent income, seek out new clients and prioritize emotional and financial sustainability. The Institute for Independent Journalists will share new findings from their research on freelance funding and journalism resources for independents.

Speakers

K Petrin

Data & graphics reporter, Civic News Company & Trans Journalists Association

Soleil Ho

Worker Owner, COYOTE Media Collective

Soleil Ho is a co-founder of COYOTE, a worker-owned digital alt weekly for the Bay Area.

Katherine Lewis

Founder and CEO, The Institute for Independent Journalists

Katherine Reynolds Lewis is the founder of the Institute for Independent Journalists, whose mission is the financial and emotional sustainability of freelancers of color, special projects editor on the science of love for Greater Good Magazine, and a columnist for Nieman Reports on... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Seacliff A

Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Expanding the Frame: Including Trans and Gender-Expansive Communities in Your Coverage

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Seacliff B

Trans people and communities are at the center of a fierce political debate, legislative attacks and widespread misinformation. As coverage of trans communities influences both policy and public perception, accuracy and care in reporting are critical across beats and not only during moments of controversy. Informed by data and established standards for trans-inclusive coverage, this panel will explore concrete opportunities for journalists to more thoughtfully integrate trans and gender-expansive sources into their work across beats and styles, including investigations, breaking news, features and multimedia. Panelists will discuss best practices for interviewing, sourcing and language use, offering guidance that supports accurate, ethical and context-rich reporting. Participants will leave with practical strategies, clearer editorial context and story ideas that expand their reporting while better reflecting the full range of communities affected by today’s news.

Speakers

K Petrin

Data & graphics reporter, Civic News Company & Trans Journalists Association

Drew Costley

Assistant Managing Editor, Verite News

Veteran journalist Drew Costley (she/her/hers or they/them/theirs) first joined Verite News to cover a variety of topics with a focus on health, climate and environmental inequity. Before coming to Verite, they reported on climate and environmental justice, health inequities, science... Read More →

Jireh Deng

Weekend Reporter, Oregon Public Broadcasting

Jireh Deng is an award-winning multimedia storyteller born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley of Los Angeles.

They previously were a breaking news fellow at the Los Angeles Times. Most recently, they finished a fellowship at Business Insider’s economics team and a fellowship at LA Public Press through UC Berkeley’s California Local News Fellowship. This fall, they will be reporting for... Read More →

Lex McMenamin

Movement Building Reporter, The Guardian US

Lex McMenamin reports on protest movements and community organizing for the Guardian US, based in New York. Previously, they were the politics editor at Teen Vogue. They are an American Society of Magazine Editors (ASME) and GLAAD Award nominee, and a member of the Trans Journalists... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Seacliff B

Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Navigating Risk: Practical Safety for LGBTQ+ Journalists covering ICE in the US

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Seacliff C

Reporting in the field increasingly exposes LGBTQ+ journalists to complex safety challenges — from covering ICE operations and protests to navigating surveillance tools and law enforcement encounters. The recent arrests of Black journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort have highlighted real and pressing concerns — from how reporters can safely navigate interactions with ICE, to how to distinguish between agencies such as ICE, local police and the National Guard. Join the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF), trainers from the Journalist Assistance Network and our 2026 Safety Ambassador in San Francisco for a practical session on assessing and managing these risks. Safety and legal experts will share strategies on how to distinguish between law enforcement agencies, mitigating on-the-ground threats, top tips for covering protests and ICE actions. Attendees will leave with concrete, actionable strategies to maintain safety while reporting in volatile situations, ensuring they can document critical stories without compromising personal security.

Speakers

Jennifer Nelson

Dir. of Pre-Publication Review, Journalist Support, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Jennifer Nelson serves as the Reporters Committee’s director of pre-publication review & journalist support. She leads the organization’s pre-publication and pre-broadcast review practice, oversees the publication of and updates to its 200+ legal guides, supervises its legal hotline... Read More →

Tat Bellamy Walker

Program Coordinator, The International Women's Media Foundation

Tat Bellamy-Walker is a Program Coordinator at the International Women’s Media Foundation. Previously, they served as Program Manager of Digital Safety Training and Resources (Media) at PEN America. Before joining PEN America, Bellamy-Walker was a communities reporter at The Seattle... Read More →

Clara-Sophia Daly

Immigration Reporter, Mission Local

Clara-Sophia Daly is an award-winning journalist who covers immigration for Mission Local. Previously, she reported for the Miami Herald, where she covered education and worked on the investigative team. She graduated with honors from Skidmore College, where she studied International... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Seacliff C

Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

Optimizing Your Résumé for AI

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Seacliff A

So you're looking for a job, and everyone is talking about the role that generative AI plays in the application process. This session will take job seekers behind the hiring curtain, with insights from a panel of recruiters and hiring managers, to answer the questions on many applicants' minds: How do I optimize my resume for an AI reader? When and how is it appropriate to use AI in the job search or in crafting my application? Are there AI tools that can help me navigate a career shift? Can I vibe code my way into a new job?

Speakers

Jahna Berry

Chief Operating Officer, The Center for Investigative Reporting

Sonali Kohli

Senior Recruiter, URL Media

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Seacliff A

Breakout Session

3:00pm PDT

We Still Drive at 55: The Bay Area Reporter's More Than Half a Century

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Seacliff D

How did the Bay Area Reporter manage to become the longest continuously published LGBTQ+ newspaper in America? Find out in a panel session with the publisher, editors and freelance writers, who reveal how the paper has built foundations from its modest beginnings. With a strong tradition of representation, the nation’s oldest queer newspaper has adapted into the 21st century with innovation while maintaining journalistic integrity.

Speakers

Michael Flanagan

Freelance Journalist, Bay Area Reporter

I have been working as an entertainment and history journalist for the Bay Area Reporter since 2011 and have received two journalism awards from the California News Publishers Association in 2023 and 2024. My areas of expertise are local history and music.

Cynthia Laird

News Editor, Bay Area Repporter

Cynthia Laird has been with the award-winning Bay Area Reporter, the country's oldest continuously publishing LGBTQ newspaper, for 30 years. She started at the paper in May 1996 as an assistant editor and became news editor in July 1999. Over that time, she has seen major changes... Read More →

Jim Provenzano

Arts Editor, Bay Area Reporter

Jim Provenzano is the Arts & Nightlife Editor for the Bay Area Reporter, where he has held various editorial positions since 1992, including the award-winning syndicated Sports Complex column (1996-2006).

He’s the author of seven novels – “Finding Tulsa,” “Now I’m Here,” the Lambda Literary Award-winning “Every Time I Think of You,” its sequel Message of Love (a Lambda Literary Award finalist), the novels “PINS,” “Monkey Suits,” “Cyclizen,” – the commissioned

... Read More →

Michael Yamashita

Publisher, Bay Area Reporter

Michael Yamashita served as general manager of the Bay Area Reporter from 1995 until 2017, when he became publisher. He is the first gay Asian-Pacific Islander owner-publisher of an LGBTQ newspaper. He serves on the board of directors of the California News Publisher Association... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Seacliff D

Breakout Session

4:15pm PDT

Diversity is More Than Staffing, It’s News Coverage: Ensuring More Missing People of Color Make the Headlines

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Seacliff C

This panel will explore the importance of diversity in news coverage, specifically in the context of missing people of color and missing queer people of color.

Speakers

Jonathan Franklin

National Correspondent, National Public Radio

Jonathan Franklin is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist whose reporting focuses on race, identity, justice and breaking news. Over the course of his career, he has covered a wide range of local and national stories, bringing audiences thoughtful, people-centered reporting that highlights... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Seacliff C

Breakout Session

4:15pm PDT

Inside Scoop: Building Sources Inside an Administration in Upheaval

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Seacliff D

When the federal government undergoes seismic shifts, critical stories can remain hidden behind a climate of uncertainty. For journalists, the challenge is twofold: breaking through the silence of a shell-shocked federal workforce and ensuring the safety of those who risk their livelihoods to speak. This session offers a deep dive into high-stakes sourcing during the sweeping policy changes of the second Trump administration. This discussion will go beyond basic beat reporting. Attendees will examine techniques for identifying and cultivating internal sources — particularly those who remain inside agencies despite vast layoffs and abrupt policy shifts — and the logistics and ethics of protecting LGBTQ+ sources and other vulnerable whistleblowers who fear retaliation.

Speakers

K Petrin

Data & graphics reporter, Civic News Company & Trans Journalists Association

Martin Shelton

Deputy Director of Digital Security, Freedom of the Press Foundation

Martin is the deputy director, digital security, at Freedom of the Press Foundation (FPF). As a member of the digital security team, Martin leads research into the security needs and concerns of journalists, including studies into how journalists and media organizations confront harassment... Read More →

Claire Savage

Reporter, The Associated Press

Claire Savage is a Chicago-based national reporter for the Associated Press's Business team covering issues impacting women in the workforce. Her reporting focuses on workplace discrimination, civil rights, gender equality in the workforce, and how policy affects working women and... Read More →

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Seacliff D

Breakout Session

4:15pm PDT

Primary Sources First: How to Build Custom AI Tooling for Investigations

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Seacliff A

We’ve spent the last two years figuring out the best way to use AI for investigative reporting in ways that are scalable to the newsroom and easy-to-use for non technical reporters. This hand-drawn presentation will walk the audience through the design and testing of Cheatsheet, an AI tool built by The New York Times for investigative reporting. Instead of a "black box" chat interface, it is centered on prioritizing the primary sources. The session will explore the internal user-testing process, explaining why the Times chose to build custom tooling from scratch rather than relying on off-the-shelf products. This session is designed for investigative reporters, designers, and developers who want to see how the Times bridge-builds between editorial needs and technical implementation. Attendees will leave with a practical roadmap for building AI tools that prioritize the goals of investigative reporting (in-depth understanding, needle in a haystack, classification and mass translation of large amounts of documents), a list of "Dos and Don’ts" for AI in the newsroom, a demo of the tool, and a first look at our plans for open-sourcing Cheatsheet for broader access.

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Seacliff A

Breakout Session

4:15pm PDT

PRSA Presents Connecting Comms and Journalism: Advancing Accurate Representation in Media

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT

Seacliff B

This panel explores how journalists and communication professionals can work together to foster accurate, inclusive and responsible representation of LGBTQ+ and other diverse communities. Through discussions on storytelling, media narratives and communication strategies, panelists will share best practices for amplifying diverse voices, combating misinformation and strengthening public understanding in an evolving media landscape.

Speakers

Curtis Sparrer

Principal and Co-founder, Bospar PR

Curtis Sparrer is a principal and co-founder of Bospar PR, the PR agency of record for SF Pride. He has represented brands like PayPal, Tetris and the alien hunters of the SETI Institute. He is the president of the San Francisco Press Club and a member of the leadership team of AI... Read More →

Heide Harrell

Heide Harrell, M.A., APR, is Director of Communications for Central Arkansas Water, serving nearly 500,000 residents across eight counties. With more than 20 years of experience, she has held numerous leadership roles within PRSA, including Board member, Secretary, and Senior Counsel... Read More →

Matt Marcial

CEO, PRSA

Matt Marcial is a dynamic executive with a track record of driving growth and innovation for trade and professional membership associations. As CEO for PRSA, he works to support the professionals who shape how organizations communicate with the world. In addition to earning his MBA... Read More →

Sponsors

Public Relations Society of America

Thursday September 10, 2026 4:15pm - 5:15pm PDT
Seacliff B

Breakout Session

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