Introducing our 2023 Community Journalism Pilot class
The community journalism pilot class, “Citizen as Journalist,” is designed to explore themes of narrative construction, systems of power, media literacy, practical journalism skills, multi-media production, and more.
This pilot program will train and promote the local reporting of community reporters and journalism students and provide an outlet for their work on Caribbean, African, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities that continue to be invisible in the news media.
These citizen journalists will publish stories on issues inspired by local activists, leaders, residents, and other stakeholders to share information vital to thriving communities.
Meet the participants, lead facilitator, and guest speakers and learn more.
Participants
Chelsea Egu
Chelsea Adanna Egu is a student at Rutgers University-Newark where she double majors in History and Africana Studies, with a minor in Art History. She is currently the Research Assistant for the Islam, the Humanities, and the Human working group at RU-N, working at the intersection of art, academia, and community engagement. A budding writer, her poetry was published in the anthology SMEAR: Poems for Girlsin 2020. Born in New Jersey to Nigerian immigrants of Igbo heritage, she completed her secondary school education in Massachusetts and France before returning to her hometown of East Orange.
Aurelio Soto
Aurelio Soto is a recent graduate of Bloomfield College with a Bachelor of Arts. He has worked with non-profit organizations as an intern, where he edited and created videos, designed posters, flyers, comic strips, updated websites and created pages. He is also a former coordinator and co-facilitator of Remote Learning program at Inkululeko. He interned with the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of NJ and is an alumnus of the NJ Governor’s Hispanic Fellows Program. Aurelio was a Federal Student Worker at Bloomfield College working in Humanities, and recently finished his internship with Boys to Leaders Foundation and Inkululeko.
Zoe Van Gelder
Zoe Van Gelder is currently a student at the McNair Academic High School. She fulfills her passions for understanding psychology, sociology, and politics through journalism and political activism. She has written for NJ.com and spoken at multiple rallies and demonstrations for women’s rights. When not immersed in these activities, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
Evans Mensah
Evans Mensah is a student at Essex County College in Newark, New Jersey majoring in Cybersecurity. His goal is to help the community voice out their issues, to be heard and acknowledged whilst establishing a secure network, designs and systems to make sure they are safe whilst doing so.
Kelly McIntyre
Kelly McIntyre is a Guyanese-American creative. She is a former Rutgers Newark alum who graduated with a degree in Journalism. She has written in the past for smaller Black owned female publications such as Bitter Blush. In her free time she enjoys rug making as well as candle making. In the future she wishes to try her hand in video essays.
Rhyan St. Clair
Rhyan St. Clair's multifaceted career spans across various industries. He is a Software Engineer, award-winning screenwriter, film producer, musician, and writer. His has contributed articles to the NJ Urban News and his recent short film "Niko Newark" showcases his prowess in bringing compelling stories to life on the silver screen. His writings cover a diverse range of topics, from shining a spotlight on the vibrant Broadway scene to highlighting the resilience and innovation of local businesses.
Lead Facilitator
Delonte Harrod
Delonte Harrod is an experienced journalist, editor, photojournalist, and founder of The Intersection Magazine, a digital publication based in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Mr. Harrod holds a master's degree in journalism from Regent University and is also an alumnus of the Maynard Institute for Journalism Education. His extensive community journalism expertise is highlighted in features, editorials, and news reporting on religion, politics, technology, health, culture, entertainment, policy, and the military.
Guest Speakers
Cole Goins
Cole Goins is an experienced facilitator and organizational strategist with a focus on helping newsrooms of all shapes and sizes form deeper relationships with their communities and spark change with their journalism. He’s led workshops, trainings, and community events across the country with a range of partners, including the American Press Institute, The New School's Journalism + Design program and the Poynter Institute. His facilitation practice is rooted in human-centered design, systems thinking and emergent strategy.
Brian Branch-Price
Brian Branch-Price is a documentary photographer with a fine-art aesthetic and a keen eye for design. He has worked for six metropolitan newspapers, including The Trenton Times, The News Journal, and The Associated Press. He also has photographed stories for The Washington Post Magazine, Ebony and the Positive Community Magazine. Price is an award-winning photographer and has been honored by the Pictures of the Year Awards, New Jersey Press Association, National Association of Black Journalists Excellence awards, New York Press Club, Gannett and the Associated Press.