Erika’s RJI Innovation Column will share practical advice, guides and templates for building, maintaining and growing trusted community information networks. From responding to emergencies to strengthening connections between crises, the column rethinks journalism from the ground up by centering communities that are often marginalized or left out of mainstream information systems.

Erika Carlos is a journalist, documentarian and interdisciplinary artist. She currently serves as editor-in-chief of El Tecolote, San Francisco’s historic bilingual community newsroom. Her work explores how journalism, art, community engagement and trusted information networks can inform, protect and strengthen underrepresented communities.