The OpEd Project is a nonprofit leadership and media organization dedicated to expanding who shapes public conversations and influences policy, culture, and history. Founded in 2008, the organization’s mission is to change who writes history by helping underrepresented experts, scholars, professionals, advocates, and community leaders share their knowledge through media, public commentary, and thought leadership. The organization works to ensure that important public conversations include a broader range of expertise, lived experience, and perspectives.
Through workshops, fellowships, mentoring programs, and strategic partnerships, The OpEd Project trains participants to communicate complex ideas effectively to the public. Its programs focus on developing confidence, refining messaging, understanding media systems, and increasing the visibility of experts whose voices have historically been overlooked. Participants learn how credibility is established, how persuasive arguments are constructed, and how public narratives can influence social and political change.
One of the organization’s best known initiatives is the Public Voices Fellowship, a year long leadership program that pairs participants with experienced journalists and media professionals. Fellows receive coaching, mentorship, and opportunities to publish opinion pieces, contribute to public discourse, and build influence within their fields. The fellowship has been implemented in partnership with major universities, foundations, and nonprofit organizations across the United States.
The OpEd Project also offers its widely recognized “Write to Change the World” workshops, which provide practical training in opinion writing, media engagement, and public leadership. Participants leave with actionable communication skills, access to journalist mentors, and tools designed to help them translate expertise into public impact. Scholarships are available, and programs are open to individuals from diverse professional and educational backgrounds.
For journalists, academics, nonprofit leaders, researchers, activists, and subject matter experts seeking to amplify their ideas and influence public conversations, The OpEd Project serves as a valuable resource for developing communication skills and expanding public engagement. Its work emphasizes the belief that better public discourse requires a broader range of voices and perspectives contributing to the conversation.
Services Offered:
• Op ed writing workshops
• Media and communications training
• Public Voices Fellowships
• Journalist mentoring programs
• Thought leadership development
• Public speaking and advocacy training
• Strategic storytelling programs
• Leadership development initiatives
• Network building and professional connections
• Public engagement and media outreach support
Who This Resource Helps:
The OpEd Project serves academics, researchers, nonprofit leaders, journalists, advocates, public policy experts, community leaders, professionals, and individuals with specialized expertise who want to increase their public impact. The organization is particularly valuable for underrepresented voices seeking to contribute to media, public discourse, and policy discussions.