Charlottesville Tomorrow is a left-of-center local news outlet that publishes digital news stories and opinion pieces on its website and in a daily email newsletter covering local topics in the greater Charlottesville, Virginia, area. The organization was founded in 2005 and advocates for a variety of left-of-center positions on social justice, environmental, and economic matters through its coverage of local news and opinion pieces. The organization has stated its commitment to left-of-center ideology about social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. The organization is also a co-founder of the Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project, which in turn is funded by the Google News Initiative. ^{1 2}

Background

Charlottesville Tomorrow was founded in 2005 and provides local news and opinion pieces regarding developments in Charlottesville, Virginia, and surrounding communities including Albemarle County. Charlottesville, where the organization is focused, is also home to the University of Virginia, and many of the organization’s journalism projects include participation from students. The group claims to have over 900 individual donors and over 9,500 subscribers to its newsletter. ^{3 4}

Charlottesville Tomorrow employs left-of-center language regarding race and social policy, stating that “Race is a big part of [the] conversation…Legacy news organizations have largely failed communities of color and news business models have punished both journalists of color and POC-owned companies.” ⁵

In its promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion ideology the group states that “you’ll see a focus on equity in our stories and an emphasis on inclusivity in our staffing and sourcing.” ^{7 8}

One project of the organization details the changing demographics of the City of Charlottesville, noting a shrinking Black population percentage and calling it an indication that “the rich are getting richer while the poor are getting pushed out.” ⁹

Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project

Charlottesville Tomorrow is a founder of the Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project, a program dedicated to advancing left-wing racial ideologies in media and journalism. The Charlottesville Inclusive Media Project is funded by the Google News Initiative and the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation. ¹⁰

People

Angilee Shah is the CEO and editor-in-chief of Charlottesville Tomorrow and leads a team of several journalists, fundraisers, and support staff. ¹¹  

Jacqueline Salmon is the board chair of the organization. She is the principal media strategist at the American Bar Association. She was also previously a speechwriter for the Pew Charitable Trusts and a Washington Post reporter. ¹²

1. “About.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/
2. “Charlottesville Tomorrow.” Charlottesville Inclusive Media. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://cvilleinclusivemedia.com/partner/cville-tomorrow/
3.  “About.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/
4. O’Hare, Erin and Mitchell, Evan. “A decade of data tells a story of how Charlottesville’s neighborhoods are changing.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. October 4, 2022. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/a-decade-of-data-tells-a-story-of-how-charlottesvilles-neighborhoods-are-changing/
5. “About.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/
7. “About.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/

   Activity

   Charlottesville Tomorrow covers a variety of local news stories in the Charlottesville area through a left-of-center perspective and provides voter guides for and coverage of local elections. The organization has also provided coverage of hot-button issues that made Charlottesville notable on a regional and national stage such as the removal of Confederate memorials and the 2017 white supremacist rally that devolved into a riot. The organization hosted a 2023 event with the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society titled “Renaming History: A Conversation About the Names We Give Our Institutions” which was about “how we understand history, and the people whose names are given to our buildings and organizations.” ⁶ “About.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023.  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/renaming-history-a-conversation-about-the-names-we-give-our-institutions/

8. “The Big Stories.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023.  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/category/the-big-stories/
9. O’Hare, Erin and Mitchell, Evan. “A decade of data tells a story of how Charlottesville’s neighborhoods are changing.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. October 4, 2022. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/a-decade-of-data-tells-a-story-of-how-charlottesvilles-neighborhoods-are-changing/
10. “Charlottesville Tomorrow.” Charlottesville Inclusive Media. Accessed August 26, 2023. https://cvilleinclusivemedia.com/partner/cville-tomorrow/
11. “The Team.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023.  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/the-team/
12. “The Team.” Charlottesville Tomorrow. Accessed August 26, 2023.  https://www.cvilletomorrow.org/about/the-team/