URL Media’s Inclusive Talent Development: Our founding and philosophy
URL Media was established in 2021 as a network of BIPOC-owned media organizations. We share content and revenue. URL’s foray into recruitment, coaching and related services has been entirely organic—and growing quickly. Our co-founders are longtime media executives S. Mitra Kalita, CEO and Publisher of Epicenter-NYC, former CNN, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and startup veteran; and Sara Lomax-Reese, president of WURD Radio, Philadelphia’s Black talk-radio station.
Our goal is simple: to help every organization truly committed to producing a diverse workforce, and celebrating all of the benefits that go along with it.
When organizations employ higher degrees of racially and ethnically diverse employees, they perform 35% better than companies that claim to rely on a “culture fit” that tends to trend white and monocultural, according to McKinsey & Company. We expose companies to larger talent pools and help them unlock new audiences and profitability.
Diverse organizations are 70% more likely to capture new markets than organizations that do not actively recruit and support talent from under-represented groups.
About us
Our seven-person team has extensive experience in a multitude of sectors; managing people, expanding markets, and changing operating procedures to improve performance. All searches are led by S. Mitra Kalita, well regarded for spotting and grooming talent. For decades, search firms have been seeking her counsel to diversify their own pipelines.
Collectively, we have backgrounds in finance, revenue generation, human resources, journalism and recruiting, with experience working at American Express, American Press Institute, NBC, Telemundo, CNN, GBH, ESPN, Gannett, JPMorgan Chase, the LA Times, McClatchy, the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Tampa Bay Times, Vox Global and The Washington Post.
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Every month we round up the latest career tips, insights and job opportunities from our multi-platform network of Black and Brown media organizations.
We work with dozens of talented journalists around the world; many are already in our database (or on our speed dials). In recent months, more candidates have approached URL upon hearing of our services and been quite open about their desire for a “top job” or dream job.
Our vetting process includes:
- Crafting of job description with multiple stakeholders;
- Soliciting input from staffers on what they want in their next boss;
- Defining DEI for the role and the organization;
- Ensuring inclusivity in all aspects of search;
- Aggressive outreach to ensure a diverse pool of candidates;
- Promoting the opportunity to star talent as one warranting serious consideration;
- Ensure diversity amongst our recruiters, all working as a team.
We schedule the initial interview, offer feedback and can manage scheduling for follow up interviews. Importantly, we guide the candidate through the process, making it less opaque and maximizing chances of success. We find we work best with organizations that dedicate human resource managers or department managers who are responsive, committed to DEI and are open to feedback.
our process
Ready to take the next step?
Please fill out our recruitment interest form.
Once submitted, we will be in touch within 2 business days with a proposal and next steps.
Questions? Email talent@url-media.com.