by Mark Segal
(Mark Segal is founder and publisher of Philadelphia Gay News and has won numerous awards for his column “Mark My Words.” The following piece, originally published on July 21, 2026, is reprinted here with permission.)

Last week I had the honor of attending the Knight Foundation’s Constructing for Community Connection conference in Boulder, Colorado. The gathering brought together about 130 people from across the local media landscape — community newspapers, nonprofit news organizations, digital startups, and online news outlets that have stepped in where local newspapers have disappeared.

Philadelphia Gay News was the only LGBTQ+ publication represented, although it was encouraging to meet journalists from mainstream media organizations who are also members of our community.

The Knight Foundation invited me to give what they call an Ignite presentation, something I had never experienced before. The topic they assigned me was “Creating Successful Events.”

After producing PGN’s 50th Anniversary celebration at the National Constitution Center and this year’s Stonewall Awards Brunch — which included a surprise appearance by former President Joe Biden, I thought I was well prepared.

Then I learned what an Ignite presentation actually is: five minutes, 20 slides, with each slide advancing automatically every 15 seconds.

I’ve spent much of my life speaking before audiences, but this format demands precision, timing and discipline. I’ll admit, I was nervous. The Knight Foundation team could not have been more encouraging. They offered guidance, reassurance and genuine support before I walked on stage. Their confidence in me made all the difference, and judging from the response afterward, the presentation was a success.

What impressed me most, however, wasn’t my own presentation — it was the conference itself. Knight assembled an outstanding lineup of speakers and workshops that focused on the future of local journalism. Sessions explored audience engagement, subscriptions, memberships, newsletters, paywalls, revenue generation and, yes, events. Every discussion centered on one essential question: How do we better serve our communities while building sustainable local news organizations?

The lesson I took home was simple but powerful. To serve a community well, you have to truly know it. That means understanding its neighborhoods and leaders, showing up at community events, listening as much as talking, and building relationships long before you need them. Trust isn’t created in a newsroom — it’s earned in the community.

After nearly 50 years at Philadelphia Gay News, I’ve learned that journalism never stands still. There is always something new to learn and another way to improve. The Knight Foundation deserves tremendous credit for creating a conference that wasn’t simply about the business of media, but about strengthening the connection between journalists and the communities they serve.

I returned to Philadelphia with new ideas, renewed energy, and an even greater appreciation for the role local journalism plays in building stronger communities.

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Volume 28
Issue 7