LB Post, Business Journal Reorganize as Nonprofit News Organization

The work of the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal has always been a public service. Now, after years of operating as for-profit corporations, the two publications have reorganized as charitable entities under a new parent nonprofit organization, the Long Beach Journalism Initiative.

The mission of this new nonprofit is educational: It exists to spur debate, discussion and better decision-making among the general public. The work of the Initiative creates a space where residents can connect with the world around them and be part of something bigger than themselves.

The initial members of the Board of Directors are: Chair, Matt Kinley, a local attorney; Treasurer, Dora Jacildo, Executive Director of Child Lane; and Secretary, Gwen Shaffer, a journalism professor at Cal State Long Beach.

In November, the Board hired Melissa Evans as CEO of the new Initiative. Evans, who has 30 years of experience in journalism, was previously Executive Editor of the Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal.

“This is an exciting new era for journalism in Long Beach,” Evans said. “Our new structure lets us focus solely on investing in our journalism and growing its impact for the benefit of our community.”

The Long Beach Post and Long Beach Business Journal have fully separated from their former owner, Pacific Community Media, an LLC that purchased the Post in 2018 and the Business Journal in 2020. Pacific Community Media is owned by John Molina’s investment firm, Pacific6.

“Empowering local journalism is paramount,” Pacific Community Media said. “Today, Pacific Community Media proudly divests its interests in the the Long Beach Post and Business Journal, reaffirming our dedication to unbiased and impactful storytelling for the Long Beach community. We wish the future independent Long Beach Journalism Initiative the best as it fulfills a critical public service for this city.”

“We are very grateful to John and the entire Molina family for their investment in the Post and Business Journal over the past five years,” Evans said. “Now we need the public to support our independent journalism, which is vital to a healthy democracy.”

The Long Beach Journalism Initiative includes 17 full-time staff members, 11 of whom are journalists. The publications are also continuing their partnership with the562.org,  a nonprofit organization formed by renowned local journalists Mike Guardabascio and JJ Fiddler to cover Long Beach sports.

The Board of Directors will guide the organization’s  budget, mission and vision, but daily business and editorial decisions will be made by the leadership team at the Long Beach Journalism Initiative. In addition to Evans, this team includes Jeremiah Dobruck, Executive Editor; Atira Rodriguez, Director of Community Partnerships; and Dennis Dean, Director of Operations and Product.

Nothing about our award-winning coverage will change.  Readers can still find essential news about City Hall, crime, health, sports, education, business, arts and culture and more at lbpost.com and lbbusinessjournal.com. We are also still the exclusive home of Long Beach’s longtime columnist, Tim Grobaty.

What will change is that we will be asking the public at large, organizations, foundations and others to support our journalism, which is needed now more than ever.  A functioning democracy relies on an informed public, and LBJI will continue to cover the critical  political, economic and social issues that affect Long Beach.

Producing quality news, however, is expensive. To give a donation or find out how to get involved, please visit lbji.org or lbpost.com/give.

The Long Beach Journalism Initiative (EIN# 93-4121848) became a charitable organization on Oct. 25, 2023. The organization’s 501(c)(3) status is pending. When this status is approved by the IRS, donations will be tax deductible retroactive to the Initiative’s formation.  The Initiative includes the Long Beach Post, which was formed in 2007, and the Long Beach Business Journal, which published its first edition in 1987.