JAWS CAMP 2026 - America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning
JAWS CAMP 2026: Presented by the Field Foundation of Illinois, “America @ 250: A Journalism Reckoning” brings national and Chicago voices together for a conversation about press freedom at JAWS CAMP on Saturday, Oct. 3. Join us for an in-depth conversation with Karen Attiah, the award-winning journalist who recently made headlines for reclaiming her position at the Washington Post, as well as Laura Rodriguez Presa, Pulitzer Prize winner and senior journalist for the Chicago Tribune who covered Operation Midway Blitz immigration raids in Chicago. The journalists will be interviewed by Maudlyne Ihejirika, Director of Journalism & Storytelling at Field Foundation and retired Chicago Sun-Times columnist/reporter.
This summer, as the nation marked its Semiquincentennial year — 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence — the Field Foundation convened journalists, storytellers, funders, and civic leaders from across Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond for an evening of reflection on the state of the free press in America. This panel will serve as a continuation of this relevant conversation with the Washington, D.C. journalist whose reporting placed her at the center of national discussions about press censorship, and the local journalist who with her peers in Chicago's journalism ecosystem withstood full-scale assaults on press freedom.
JAWS’ annual Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) will be held Oct. 2-4, 2026 at the Hyatt Centric Delfina in Santa Monica, California.
Registration for the conference is open! Reserve your spot now:
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
KAREN ATTIAH
Karen Attiah is an award-winning journalist, columnist, and global thought leader whose work explores the intersections of race, culture, gender, and international affairs. She was born and raised in DeSoto, Texas, and began her journey in media and advocacy at 19 through an internship at the Dallas Public Defender’s Office. A formative summer in Spain studying Spanish ignited her lifelong commitment to international storytelling and human rights. A former Fulbright Scholar to Ghana, Karen has reported from across the globe—including Nigeria, Germany, Curaçao, and beyond. Her reporting and commentary have appeared in Voice of America, Al Jazeera, the Associated Press, Haitian Times, and other international outlets. She is also a frequent contributor to broadcast media, with appearances on CNN, MSNBC, BBC, NPR, and CBC. In 2016, Karen became the founding editor of The Washington Post’s Global Opinions section, where she commissioned commentary from some of the world’s most influential thinkers and dissidents. She became a staff columnist in 2021. Her writing—widely recognized for its clarity, courage, and impact—focuses on global justice, human rights, and the Black diaspora.
Karen’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2019 George Polk Special Award, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Freedom Writer Award, the National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year Award, and recognition in Essence’s “Woke 100” and The Root 100. Washingtonian magazine named her a “Star to Watch” in 2021. She is the author of the forthcoming book Say Your Word, Then Leave, about the life and assassination of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, whom she worked with closely during the last year of his life. In addition to her work as a writer and commentator, Karen is an amateur Muay Thai fighter and boxing enthusiast, having trained and competed both in the U.S. and abroad. She was the 2021 U.S. Muay Thai Open Silver Medalist in the 125-132 pound division. Karen holds a B.A. from Northwestern University and a Master’s in International Affairs from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She splits her time between Washington, D.C., Dallas, and West Africa.
LAURA RODRIGUEZ PRESA
Laura Rodríguez Presa is a senior journalist at the Chicago Tribune. She covers immigration, community, and culture, focusing on how immigration policy intersects with the human experience. Her reporting highlights the impact of laws and political decisions on immigrant communities, particularly Latino families in Chicago and beyond.
MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA
Maudlyne Ihejirika is the Director of Journalism & Storytelling for the Field Foundation, where she is responsible for supporting the foundation’s work in strengthening local news production and storytelling to further reflect Chicago. She focuses specifically on efforts to create a stronger, more connected, and sustainable local media ecosystem — in which the stories of all Chicagoans are told accurately, fairly, and contextually.
Prior to joining the Field Foundation in January 2023, Maudlyne spent 29 years with the Chicago Sun-Times, where she was an award-winning reporter and columnist, served as assistant city editor, and covered beats from crime and the inner city to housing and education, politics, and philanthropy. She wrote the “Chicago Chronicles” — long-form columns of untold narratives focusing on racial, social, and economic justice issues impacting Black and Brown communities. Maudlyne is the author of "Escape From Nigeria: A Memoir of Faith, Love and War" (Africa World Press, 2016) — a riveting tale of her family's survival of the brutal Nigerian-Biafran War and miracles that brought them to the US as refugees. Past President of both the Chicago Journalists Association and the National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter, she holds an MSJ from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and a B.A. in Journalism from the University of Iowa.
This panel is generously sponsored by:
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FAQs
Where is Conference and Mentoring Program (CAMP) 2026? CAMP 2026 will be held October 2-4 at The Hyatt Centric Delfina, located at 530 Pico Blvdin sunny Santa Monica, CA. The hotel is steps from the world-famous Santa Monica pier along with restaurants, shops and entertainment.
The CAMP Site Selection Committee chose Santa Monica based on feedback from members urging a balance between an urban setting allowing easier travel with access to a get-away-from-it-all vibe. The committee also took into account the venue’s capacity, support for conferences, cost and location. We chose this location intentionally for its walkability, safety and convenience, prioritizing an environment where attendees can focus on community, learning and connection without added logistical stress.
What happens at CAMP? This will be JAWS’ 41st CAMP. While the format and size have varied over the years, the goal has not: to bring women* journalists together from different specialties, beats, demographics and geographies to share with, learn from and empower each other. There will be structured presentations and workshops, planned social events and free time for unstructured relationship-building and city exploration. The current, rough agenda is as follows:
Oct. 1: Self-organized social activities for early arrivals
Oct. 2: Daytime workshops, evening welcome reception at Ms. Magazine offices
Oct. 3: Morning plenaries, lunch provided, afternoon sessions, Books & Browse evening reception
Oct. 4: Morning member meeting, morning sessions, lunch provided, afternoon sessions
Oct. 5: Self-organized social activities for late departures
Will meals be provided? Yes! Lunch will be provided Saturday and Sunday. Other provided meals and receptions will be announced. Meals not on the official schedule will be unstructured, allowing attendees to explore nearby eateries and spend time together away from the venue.
What is the CAMP refund policy? CAMP registration at the Early Bird rate is non-refundable and non-transferable. Regular registration can be transferred before September 1, 2026 upon written request to hello@jaws.org.
Is conference sponsorship available? Yes! CAMP sponsors support programming and other CAMP activities, making it possible to keep the conference affordable for participants. More information is available below.