sponsor us

Hey Neighbor,

I hope this note finds you well! I’m reaching out on behalf of People’s Press, the Valley’s first and only grassroots nonprofit newspaper dedicated to amplifying everyday voices and nurturing homegrown voices through a little something called…

Citizen Journalism.

What is that, you ask? Well, I did a little digging and found that the first modern instance of Citizen Journalism sprouted up in South Korea at the turn of the century, but according to some accounts it can be traced as far back as Benjamin Franklin (and that historical fairytale). Nothing against the guy, personally I didn’t know him and I don’t claim to. But what I do know, is that most of what we have seen, heard, and read about since birth is straight up propaganda.

The text books they taught us from? Written by the oppressors. What we see on social media? Probably CGI, AI, or some other type of GMO (ha). And what we read in the newspapers? FAKE. At this point, that’s no joke. And maybe it never was. Everyone you see on mainstream media is bought, every local paper still standing must bow to their advertisers, and overall…

Traditional media
is dead.

And ever since I did my rounds in local journalism, I can say with certainty that the industry has three major problems (probably more, but I’ll spare you).

1. Doesn’t pay a living wage – or doesn’t pay at all (long story short, wage theft is real)
2. Forces you to be “unbiased” – which is Orwellian code for “silence your moral compass”
3. Doesn’t value ordinary or far-out voices – basically if you’re not cut like the rest, you can leave

All that to say, I lasted just over one annual news cycle before I realized both my talent and time were being wasted, and I was essentially paying them to publish my stories. At first I thought I just hadn’t found my home. That perhaps the problem was political in nature and that an outlet that expressed different values would operate in a way I found more justifiable. I was wrong. But rather than fall into a pit of despair, I decided I could come up with something better. A phrase that my mother would laugh at, because ever since I was a kid I’ve always said that I can conceptualize existing models as better than they are (and I mean, you’re reading this aren’t you?)

JOKES ASIDE… here’s the deal:

At People’s Press, we believe that you should have the freedom to be yourself, speak your mind, and be heard (and respected) as the sum of your parts. You may not be saying anything new—or maybe what you’re saying is so new to the average reader it’s considered “radical”—and it may not always be grammatically correct, but I mean it when I say…

“Nobody says it
like you.”

And really, all we’re after are the voices that feel authentic and the messages that ring true. True as a feeling, not necessarily a fact. Because as I’m sure you know by now, much of what regard as hard science, statistics, and research, has been fabricated for some ulterior motive somewhere along the way. Yes, even the things backed by state and federal organizations.

More and more these days, it seems the only people you can trust are the people you know in real life.

And so much of what the community might consider news is covered by traditional media outlets in a way that—by default—takes some of the soul out of it. More often than not, I’ve found some of the best stories just don’t get covered at all. At this point in history, it’s crucial that everyday members of the community take action to tell their side of the story. To recall and record their personal memories of the way society used to be, and to tell fellow citizens in their own words how it came to be that they believe what they believe. Before those stories, stances, and ways of life fade away forever.

As the editor, I’m not here to make judgements. I’m here to give people a platform which takes their voice seriously, and commits to navigating language, education, and disability barriers in a way that makes up for centuries of being…

marginalized,
forgotten, or
silenced altogether.

Our brand of Citizen Journalism lifts up the opinions and points of view of the average resident for the purpose of leveling the playing field, offering us a chance to see beyond identity politics and dive deeper into the common humanity that continues to unite us all. This is not about Left or Right, this is about unchecked Power over People.

So tell us about your mother’s unforgettable 70th birthday and how good the barbacoa was, write us about your dog dying and how it changed your life, or rave about your child winning Student of the Month and what it means to you. We want to hear stories of family and faith as much as business and politics. And one day—in addition to our Citizen Journalists who donate their stories—we’ll be able to hire a massive team of APPROPRIATELY PAID staff writers and freelancers that operate with ethics that match ours and values that match yours. From pop culture and local event reviews to niche interests and how-tos, People’s Press is sure to have something for everyone.

Currently, we focus on showcasing long-form slow news and non-fiction narratives and highly encourage first-person language such as “I think” or “I feel”. 100% of our culturally rich, grassroots content exists entirely online—but with your help that will change. In the future, we want to be able to print a full-color, monthly compilation of our best stories and submissions that is sure to be so beautiful and heartwarming you’ll want to collect them all. And we hope you do.

What we’re trying to do here in one of rural California’s most impoverished counties is no small feat. Some of what we do might be compared to an overhyped version of “Letter to the Editor” by some, but I assure you our brand is so much more than that. People’s Press marks a shift in culture by placing radical value on YOU. And let me just put it this way: founding member Justin Orsino and I have been donating our time and personal funds to this cause for over a year now, and to be honest, no one in their right mind would put this much into something they didn’t fully believe in.

I am confident that People’s Press is the working blueprint for the future of decentralized media and will one day be one of the largest skilled-labor employers (and job training organizations) in Imperial Valley and beyond. I believe we will be the platform that launches many Writers, Artists, and Thought Leaders right here…

on the land that
raised them.

At a later date, we will also be fundraising for our very first annual Barrio Revival event at Hinojosa Park this December, where we’ll be featuring an all-day music festival and sports tournament at this iconic East Side Brawley park.

The event will be taking place between Christmas and New Years, and will feature a community art project and highlight nonprofits specifically on the Northend (but also countywide), complete with healthy food options and fun for the whole family. Live storytelling and a community dance to close out the night will be sure to make this one for the books. Which is kind of our thing.

We also hold Writers & Residents meetups twice a month at Brownie’s Diner in Brawley (every 2nd & 4th Saturday from 10-11 am) as a way of keeping our community connected offline as well. So whether you call this the Last Days or Late Stage capitalism, it’s clear that we’re collectively going to have to learn to operate in alternative ways to avoid being funneled into the fascist regimes brewing on both sides of the aisle.

In just our first annual news cycle alone, we’ve seen incredible momentum–people across the political divide lifting each other up, artists exploring ways to speak in their authentic voice, and engagement from a community hungry for something real.

No clickbait headlines, AI generated blurbs, or sandbox politics here, folks!

Just stories straight from the heart that are bound to remind you of a world that still believes in being kind, a platform that promises to serve as a beacon of hope in the dark, and an incredible group of passionate citizens just like you that know—come hell or high water—the only way through this global shift is together.  

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts 💚

People’s Press

A voice that sounds like yours… because it is.

Donate