Public Square Amplified

https://www.publicsq.org
Public Square Amplified (PSA) is a nonprofit, community-centered newsroom headquartered in Newark, New Jersey. Founded by a team of Black women led by Josie Gonsalves, the organization draws on decades of experience across journalism, academia, nonprofit work, and community organizing. PSA positions journalism as both a reporting tool and a civic intervention, aiming to examine and challenge the racial and social dynamics that shape how news is produced and consumed. Its coverage focuses on democracy, social and economic justice, racial equity, and the immigrant experience, with a strong emphasis on stories rooted in community perspectives. PSA prioritizes Newark—New Jersey’s largest city—by producing reporting that reflects the lived experiences of residents across its five wards. The outlet also highlights stories from the African-Caribbean diaspora and develops multilingual content to better serve immigrant communities. Beyond reporting, PSA invests heavily in building community journalism capacity. Through workshops, forums, and a journalism boot camp, it trains residents, students, and aspiring journalists—particularly people of color—to report on their own communities. This approach creates pathways for new voices in media while fostering civic participation.

Last updated date: September 2026

Location:
Newark, United States
Year the organization
started publishing:
2021
Languages:
English
Type of coverage:
Local
Area of coverage:
Newark, New Jersey

Content

Type of content produced by theme:
Education
Environment
Politics
Lifestyle
Health and well-being
Entertainment and culture
Economy and finance
Journalism genres:
Interviews and reporting
Information services
Journalism coverage types and techniques:
Solutions or constructive journalism
Engaged, community-driven or participatory journalism
Explanatory journalism
Tech platforms and other mediums used:
Website
Newsletter
Social media platforms
Facebook
Instagram

Management and team

Founders

Female:
1
Male:
0
Founders:
Josie Gonsalves
Directors:

Team

Full-time employees:
0
Part-time employees:
0
Freelancers or consultants:
0
Volunteers:
0

Business structure and revenue sources

Organization tax status:
Non-profit
All revenue sources reported by media leaders:
Grants
Grants from private donor organisations
Grants or investment from philanthropic organisations
The primary source of revenue reported by media leaders:
Grants

Why is this profile included?

This media outlet is part of our directory because it meets SembraMedia’s inclusion criteria: it produces original content, serves the public interest, and works with independence and transparency. This profile was developed using information provided directly by the media outlet, through surveys or interviews. We aim to keep the information current, but SembraMedia does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness, and recommends verifying any key details with the media organization.

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