Mississippi Today general assignment reporter Simeon Gates has been selected by the National Press Foundation for its Widening the Pipeline fellowship.

The program’s goal is to help journalists of color remain in journalism and develop into future leaders of newsrooms. Throughout the yearlong fellowship, Gates is one of 15 fellows participating in online and in-person training events.

She is the second Mississippi Today reporter to take part in the fellowship. Criminal justice reporter Mina Corpuz participated in the program in 2022.

Gates began her career at Mississippi Today in May 2024 as an intern and became a fulltime general assignment reporter in August of that year. She has covered a wide range of topics, including the immigration and deportation issues, the impact of federal cuts on Mississippi libraries and the commemoration of 70 years since the murder of Emmett Till.

“Simeon approaches all of her assignments with an open mind and a commitment to provide our readers with the facts,” said Mississippi Today Ideas editor Bobby Harrison, who also serves as Gates’ editor. “She is eager to learn and brings a good attitude to all of her assignments. We are proud that the National Press Foundation recognized her talents and potential and awarded her the fellowship.”

Gates earned a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Southern Mississippi.