Toronto, February 27, 2025: The Walrus is pleased to announce Kayla Thompson as the new CIBC Digital Fellow for Emerging Black Journalists. Thanks to support from the CIBC, The Walrus has been able to continue this competitive fellowship for a third consecutive year.
CIBC and The Walrus are committed to promoting social and economic opportunities for all, and this program is an integral part of that commitment.
This fellowship is a full-time, paid, twelve-month position that offers emerging journalists who are Black a unique mentorship opportunity to work in digital journalism and production at one of Canada’s most trusted media organizations.
“I am truly honoured to take this major step in my journalism career with the mentorship and support of The Walrus and CIBC. This opportunity offers me an invaluable platform to gain hands-on experience while contributing fresh ideas and perspectives to Canada’s media landscape.” —Kayla Thompson, CIBC Digital Fellow for Emerging Black Journalists, The Walrus
This educational fellowship provides tools and training to develop, produce, and share stories across a variety of digital formats and channels, as well as to connect with various departments at The Walrus to support a successful career in media and the digital sector.
“On behalf of CIBC, congratulations to Kayla Thompson, the 2025 CIBC Digital Fellow for Emerging Black Journalists at The Walrus,” said Akil Bishop, Senior Vice-President, Region Head, Ontario West. “CIBC continues our commitment to removing barriers that stand in the way of the ambitions and success for members of the Black community. We’re proud of this unique fellowship program and our partnership with The Walrus and look forward to watching Kayla develop her career and join the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”
Kayla is a Toronto-based journalist and multimedia storyteller with a journalism degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. She recently co-produced and was the on-air journalist for a Caribbean Vibrations TV documentary highlighting Black Canadian Trailblazers that aired on OMNI TV. She has also worked as an entertainment team member for the Toronto Blue Jays, enhancing game experiences through live performance and fan engagement, and as a communications coordinator for the Journalistic Role Performance Project, translating academic research into compelling digital content. Passionate about storytelling through multimedia, Kayla aspires to be an on-air journalist and multimedia producer.
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For more information, contact:
Monita Mohan, Marketing Manager, The Walrus, at [email protected]
About The Walrus
The Walrus provokes new thinking and sparks conversation on matters vital to Canada. As a registered charity, we publish independent, fact-based journalism across platforms; produce national, ideas-focused events, including our flagship series The Walrus Talks; and train emerging storytellers through our fellowship program. The Walrus is invested in the idea that a healthy society relies on informed citizens.
About CIBC
CIBC is a leading North American financial institution with 14 million personal banking, business, public sector and institutional clients. Across Personal and Business Banking, Commercial Banking and Wealth Management, and Capital Markets, CIBC offers a full range of advice, solutions and services through its leading digital banking network, and locations across Canada, in the United States and around the world. Ongoing news releases and more information about CIBC can be found at www.cibc.com/ca/media-centre.
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