I’m a strategist and educator. I work on improving the field of journalism, not on any single story or newsroom. I connect people back to journalism through civic education — meeting them where they already gather in their own communities.
After 20 years on the frontline of a collapsing industry, I’m rebuilding journalism as civic education for everyone — not workforce training for a few — through writing, research consulting, and policy work.
Want stronger, healthier communities where people participate in civic life? Want journalism to do more than just produce content? Let’s talk.
I have master’s degrees from the Newmark Graduate School of Journalism (CUNY) in New York City and in gender and international development from the London School of Economics. I was born and partly raised in Barbados, W.I. I live in Brooklyn.
Services & Expertise
Educating Donors + Legislators
I teach donors and legislators to connect healthy communities with protecting the journalism ecosystem. I help them recognize the difference between using journalism to support a cause versus regenerating journalism as a field — local news, in particular.
Advising Journalism Support Organizations (JSOs), Newsrooms + Place-based Community Leaders
I help organizations rebuild public trust in journalism. I advise on strategy and cross-sector partnerships, and design programs that turn that trust into demand for truthful information.
Modernizing J-Programs to Serve Students and Communities
I re-design journalism education away from using marginalized communities as research subjects or cities as labs toward a civic education-for-all model. I help J-programs evolve beyond the outdated content model. My approach was refined through teaching, curriculum development and J-program stewardship at Rutgers University-Newark as well as Boston College, Lehman College-CUNY and the News Futures network of civic media practitioners.
Some of what I do
About the American Mainstream
Students plugging local news gaps isn’t sustainable
Local news for the people: A policy agenda for meeting civic information needs
‘Leavers’: results from a survey of 101 journalists of color (research)
Multiple Mainstreams
Youth Media Workshop, Part of Ongoing Partnership Effort With Local Journalism Outlets
Democracy is an information group project.
Do your part. Join me in the national News Futures civic media network; explore our charter. Invest in digital media literacy and civic education at community colleges and other public institutions. Demand applied media research that is legible and useful to communities. Support your local public library.