Amber Walker
Long Beach
As seen in:
Medium,
HuffPost,
BioRxiv,
Elephant Journal,
One Day Magazine,
Documented,
Cityline,
The Cap Times,
BVM Sports,
Brainz.
and
Covers:
education, race, popular culture, gender
Comedian. Journalist. Professional vagabond.
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I freelanced here and there for a few years. I would wax poetic on my Tumblr and Huff Po picked up a piece. After that, I was hooked.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes. I spent a lot of time at my local public library growing up. I am sure I have a piece or two produced via typewriter.
How is social media changing news?
There is an overwhelming amount of information and it's easier for people to stay in their bubbles, despite hyper-connectivity.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Peter Parker. I wish my pictures were good enough for photojournalism.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
For me, it means to tell stories fair and objectively, from a fresh point of view.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Google Docs
What's your favorite social network?
Twitter.
Who do you wish followed you?
Soledad O'Brien
Why did you become a journalist?
I want to represent for and inspire young folks like me (Black, queer, women) to pursue the field.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
No.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
One of my first pieces, "A Letter to My Unborn Son." It was a op-ed reacting to George Zimmerman's acquittal in Trayvon Martin's murder.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Your voice matters. Keep cultivating your craft. If you want it bad enough, you will get there.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Whenever you are ready for me to write a strong piece for your organization.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I was asked to write a series on dating and relationships in Madison, WI from the perspective of Black women...a tall order in this town.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I've been lucky enough to only get pitches I like.
What's your favorite drink?
At this point, anything with caffeine.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On my phone.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
Buzzfeed
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Education reporting is easy. So much institutional memory and politics at play. Everyone thinks they're an expert because they went to school
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.