John Hood and Royal Calkins Spotlight Local Newspapers and DEI

John Hood reflects on a four‑decade career writing a syndicated column that began in North Carolina’s Spring Hope Enterprise and Rocky Mount Record. He credits local newspapers with offering diverse opinions, cites his early advocacy for repealing the state’s sodomy laws, and notes that his column now appears in more than 50 outlets despite industry‑wide revenue declines and closures.

Royal Calkins recounts a failed DEI internship launch at the Fresno Bee, describing how he and colleague Rick Rodriguez sourced minority candidates through personal networks. Their effort resulted in five hires that summer, who went on to successful careers at larger papers such as the Sacramento Bee, the New York Times and Sports Illustrated, improving the newspaper’s coverage and culture.