Have you ever used a typewriter?
Do I have to admit this?
How is social media changing news?
Social has democratized news reporting. CNN's coverage of Baby Jessica in 87 was akin to indy journalist streamers coverage today.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Journalism to me is more than telling a factual story. It is about building a human connection with the audience and documenting history.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Photoshop, Lightroom, Premiere, Spark, WordPress, Buffer, OBS, our in-house studio, and a wide range of cameras. I prefer Nikon cameras.
What's your favorite social network?
Yes. I even learned to type on a manual typewriter.
Why did you become a journalist?
A combination of intellectual curiosity and the desire to tell a complete story. I've always been a storyteller.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I was a writer for my junior high, high school, and college newspapers!
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
The story about Bobby Jones, a transgender teen who wants to play with the gender he identifies with.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
1) Push boundaries and take chances
When's the best time to pitch you?
In the morning between 7 AM to 9 AM. Checking e-mail is the first thing I do.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
2) Don't burn any bridges, it's a small world
What's your favorite drink?
Sparkling water or black coffee! Although with COVID and the difficulty to find restrooms, in the field I try not to drink too much.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Jogging, hiking, or spending time with my office assistant, Yoda the Wonder Pug.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
3) Don't chase clout
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
Covering LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC issues, there is a lot of assumptions about having an unfair bias.
