The Baltimore Banner: A Nonprofit Newsroom’s Rise and the Role of the Digital Storyteller
When The Baltimore Banner launched in June 2022, backed by The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, it entered a challenging media landscape with a clear mission: to deliver reliable, trustworthy journalism to the people of Baltimore. Within two years, the nonprofit newsroom demonstrated significant progress. By the end of 2024, The Banner had amassed 55,000 subscribers, contributing 45% of its $13 million revenue, with the remainder coming from advertising (35%) and philanthropy (22) [1]. In 2025, the organization’s dedication to investigative journalism was recognized with a Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting, honoring its coverage of drug overdoses [1]. This success is being scaled with plans for further expansion, including the addition of local reporters and editors [1]. A key element of this growth is the emergence of a new role within the newsroom: the digital-native content creator, exemplified by Rondez Green.
A Digital Native Joins Local Journalism
Rondez Green’s path to journalism was unconventional. He initially built a following on platforms like YouTube and Twitch through gaming content. Over time, his livestreams evolved into discussions of social and political issues, particularly within the gaming and technology sectors. He found his audience sought not just entertainment, but also verified information and nuanced perspectives. “I realised people were looking to me as a trusted source,” he reflects. “Someone who would fact-identify, relay verifiable information and provide nuanced commentary that’s based in reality – and digestible.”
This credibility led to a role hosting the eSports Report for Major League Gaming, allowing Green to support himself through college. When he encountered a job posting for The Baltimore Banner on LinkedIn in October 2023, he immediately recognized a strong fit. “This sounds exactly like what I already do for free!” he recalls.
A New Role in the Newsroom
Today, Green is part of a new cohort of digital content creators at The Banner. His responsibilities extend beyond traditional reporting. He focuses on community engagement and covering underreported stories, such as the largest sewage spill in U.S. History [1]. He finds satisfaction in providing accurate updates and helping people understand how events impact their lives.
Green emphasizes the interconnectedness of local stories with broader global issues. He believes understanding these connections is crucial for building trust with the audience. “What’s happening locally is connected to something happening in another country – whether it’s a product you use or a policy decision. Knowing that matters.”
Blending Performance and Public Service
Green’s background in performance – as a community theatre artist and member of a digital comedy troupe – informs his journalistic approach. His experience speaking to live audiences has enhanced his communication skills and ability to make complex information accessible. He initially worried about censorship but found that The Banner’s audience engagement team focused on strengthening his stories through additional fact-checking and information, rather than limiting his perspective.
The Baltimore Banner’s integration of digital content creators reflects a broader trend in newsrooms worldwide, representing a hybrid model that combines personality-driven reporting with traditional journalistic standards. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the creators, who bring their communities, and the newsroom, which provides expertise and institutional support [1].
About The Baltimore Banner and The Venetoulis Institute
The Baltimore Banner is a news website founded by The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a nonprofit organization established by Stewart W. Bainum Jr. [1] and [2]. The Institute aims to support local journalism and provide a sustainable model for news delivery. The Banner is registered as a trademark in the U.S. [3]. Bob Cohn serves as CEO, Audrey Cooper as editor-in-chief [2].