CONTACT:
Stacie Overton Johnson, SPJ Freelance Community Chair, [email protected]
Nadia Gordon, SPJ Communications Coordinator, [email protected]
The Society of Professional Journalists is proud to announce its 2025 Freelance Fellows: Elizabeth Donald, Ana Gascón and Oscar Fock.
The SPJ Freelance Fellowship supports independent journalists attending MediaFest25, Oct. 15-18 in Washington, D.C.
“These three outstanding journalists embody the spirit of freelance work. They’re resourceful, resilient and deeply committed to telling important stories,” said SPJ Freelance Community Chair Stacie Overton Johnson. “We’re thrilled to support them as they bring their talents and perspectives to MediaFest25.”
MediaFest25, co-sponsored with the College Media Association and Associated Collegiate Press, will feature freelance-related training sessions such as the Editor-Freelancer Meet-and-Greet, “Freelance 101,” “Building Trust as a Freelancer” and “From Campus to Clips,” plus special events in the Freelance Central room and nearby venues.
Fellowship benefits include full conference registration, a $350 participation stipend, up to $1,200 in travel and lodging reimbursement for those traveling from outside the D.C. area, and tickets to both MediaFest25 receptions. Fellows are also paired with mentors from SPJ’s Freelance Community who provide guidance, networking opportunities and support throughout the conference.
Fellowships are awarded to SPJ members who earn most of their income from freelancing, with selections based on need, merit and contributions to the Freelance Community and SPJ.
Meet the 2025 Freelance Fellows
Elizabeth Donald
Elizabeth Donald has been a journalist for nearly 30 years, much of it in daily newspaper reporting. She has received numerous regional awards for investigative, education, labor and civic journalism, covering the St. Louis region since 2000.
Donald currently freelances through Donald Media, with clients including the St. Louis Labor Tribune, McClatchy and Hearst newspapers, Feast Magazine, Inside Higher Ed, Current Magazine and others. She holds a master’s degree in media studies and a master of fine arts in creative writing from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and teaches journalism, English composition and creative writing at several colleges in the St. Louis area.
Donald was an inaugural recipient of the Terry Harper SPJ Fellowship and serves as president of the St. Louis Pro chapter of SPJ, as well as a longtime member of the SPJ Ethics Committee. Learn more at donaldmedia.com.
Ana Gascón
Ana Gascón is a health journalist based in Atlanta. She specializes in translating medical research into clear, accessible stories for broad audiences. Her favorite topics include mental health and medical conditions that disproportionately affect Hispanic communities.
Her work has been published in AARP, WebMD, Medscape and GoodRx. Gascón also enjoys writing travel stories, social justice pieces and picture books for children. When she’s not reviewing clinical studies, she’s taking long walks, volunteering in her community or making mango smoothies.
Oscar Fock
Oscar Fock is an award-winning freelance journalist based in New York. He covers the environment, the impacts of climate change on people and how communities are responding.
His reporting has appeared in local New York City publications including Brooklyn Paper, Red Hook Star-Revue and Village Star-Revue, as well as nationally in The Architect’s Newspaper. In March 2025, he received a second-place award for environmental reporting from the New York Press Association.
The Freelance Fellowship is made possible through the support of the SPJ Foundation Freelance Fund. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Fund directly helps freelance journalists access training and development opportunities they might not otherwise be able to pursue. Your support helps empower freelance journalists and sustain quality journalism.
SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member and give to the Legal Defense Fund, First Amendment Forever Fund or SPJ Foundation.
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Source: SPJ announces 2025 Freelance Fellows to attend MediaFest25
