Detroit Free Press
This was such an insightful experience, hearing how the daily operates when it comes to the summer time. I learned a lot of things from The Daily editors. It was nice to end this day with a slice of Joe's Pizza.
This was a press conference or "presser" I had attended with my mentor, Nushrat Rahman. I got to see firsthand what happens before, during and after the press conference. It reminded me of sitting hours and hours watching the AAPS BOE meetings.
This was minutes before the interview and I was nervous. I occupied a space in a conference room to conduct the interview.
This was such an insightful experience, hearing how the daily operates when it comes to the summer time. I learned a lot of things from The Daily editors. It was nice to end this day with a slice of Joe's Pizza.
Highlights:
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Centerpiece story in the DFP metro section!
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Met Rosa Parks' best friend, Elaine Eason Steele
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Sandra B. Henriquez, who was president Barack Obama's assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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Discussing post-pandemic effects with DFP editors.
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I reconnected with an old friend from elementary school!
Published stories:
JScreen Detroit offers subsidized genetic and cancer tests to metro Jewish community (also published in print)
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I learned something new from this story. When I interviewed Lacy Foon, a breast cancer survivor, it was a nice conversation.
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Youth volunteers citywide participated in the 16th annual ARISE Detroit! Neighborhoods Day (also published in print)
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This was a freelance opportunity that my mentor Melanie Scott-Dorsey asked me if I was interested in. We met the same day and discussed what my story would be. The next day, I spent the morning in the garden. I immersed myself in interviews. First with volunteer Sheila Finney, for the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute, (I conversed with her for about 40 minutes), and then the teens that participated in it.
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With the reporting and writing skills I gained, I look at things from a different, more improved perspective when it comes to the story angle. I use my skills to help staff members come up with a clear-cut and neat story, by walking them through the process of pitching, interviewing and writing the story.
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Formerly incarcerated get fresh start sanitizing flooded basements
It was my third day with my apprenticeship at the Free Press. I met my mentor, Nushrat Rahman, via phone call. We discussed several pitches and stories that morning and landed on this one. After the floods in Detroit, a lot of houses -- particularly basements were damaged. This provided a source of jobs to many people who were formerly incarcerated. I reached out and conducted thorough interviews for this story including those who were formerly incarcerated. The feedback I received from my editor, Melanie Scott-Dorsey was super helpful for this piece. Writing this piece was hard, but it's my favorite one. I mastered how to capture someone's voice, while also learning more about the importance of journalism.