Byrhonda Lyons
Verified
As seen in:
CalMatters,
MSN,
The Washington Post,
USA Today,
Yahoo Canada,
Aol,
PBS NewsHour,
Stanford University,
Associated Press,
SFGate,
The Toronto Star
and
Covers:
I cover state policy issues with a focus on justice and court-related topics.
Hella nosy @calmatters | News tip? Signal/cell 510-804-9939 | I ❤️ public records + art | @uapbinfo, #HBCUgrad, @ucbsoj | Pine Bluff-raised 🇺🇸
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
I was first a freelancer.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes!
How is social media changing news?
Social media has removed the wall between reporters and their audience.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Moesha
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft products, Signal and Google products
What's your favorite social network?
My favorite social network is TikTok.
Who do you wish followed you?
My mother. She's not into social media, but if she were, we'd be cutting up.
Why did you become a journalist?
It's, honestly, a calling on my life. I've been drawn to this industry since I was in elementary school.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be persistent. Don't let anyone define you.
When's the best time to pitch you?
I'm always open for pitches.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The pitches I receive about things that have nothing to do with my beat are always a waste of email space.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I love reading the New York Times. It's my go-to source.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That justice stories are only about crime and criminals.
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.