MINORITY JOURNALIST INTERVIEW PAPER
ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW
For this project, you will research and produce a detailed profile of a minority journalist. The journalist may be from any underrepresented racial, ethnic, cultural, gender, or linguistic group. The subject should preferably be alive, but you may profile a deceased journalist only if you can answer all required questions through archives, articles, or publicly available interviews.
You may complete this project in any ONE of the following formats:
- Written profile essay (4–5 pages, double-spaced)
- Video documentary (5–8 minutes)
- Podcast episode (5–8 minutes)
Regardless of format, your work must show equivalent depth, detail, and accuracy.
REQUIREMENTS
Length: Minimum1000 words, 5 pages, double-spaced, 12-pt font,
FINDING A JOURNALIST
You must identify a minority journalist using at least one of these methods:
- Scan local newspapers, community media, and ethnic media outlets (past or present)
- Search archives of newspapers, magazines, digital publications
- Explore social media platforms for journalists active in your region
- Contact local or national organizations such as:
- NAHJ (National Association of Hispanic Journalists)
- NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists)
- AAJA (Asian American Journalists Association)
- NAJA (Native American Journalists Association)
- NLGJA (LGBTQ+ Journalists Association)
- Local “ethnic media” associations, community media centers, or minority-owned papers
Your goal is to locate a journalist who has a compelling background, visible presence, or significant community impact.
Journalist List
I highly recommend using Linkedin search to find their contact information.
Gillian moran perez
Chris Farias
Camilla Rambaldi
Josue Bran
Chris torres
Brendan nakamine
Michael
Dayanis lopez reyes
Cynthia Puga
Celine salazar stevens
Lupita baltazar
Jonathan gonzales
Annabelle sedano
Bevery White
Ginger chan
Kacey montoya
Jeong park
Teresa Watanabe
Ahn Do
Rachel DeLeon
Brandon Benitez
Esteban Reynoso
Hayley Skene Watts
Noe Ortega
Raul Delgado
Mary Paronyan
Teresa Barrientos
Vianey Arana
Ala Errebhi - KTVI St. Louis
Jenny Almanza KEYT Santa Barbara
INTERVIEW & VERIFICATION MATERIALS
The interview must be conducted: In person or Zoom (no phone or email interviews)
Required Evidence: Photo of you + interviewee
INTERVIEW REQUIREMENTS
Acceptable methods:
- Video chat (Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime)
- In-person interview (recommended)
If your journalist is deceased, you must use archival interviews, recorded speeches, oral histories, published Q&As, or memoirs. Also, you must submit links to news articles, archives, or sources used.
Required Paper Structure:
- Biographical Background (4 pages): For the first part of this paper, describe the major features of the person’s development and life experiences. The information can be organized chronologically according to life stages.
- Your Reflection (1 Page)
- What you learned that you did NOT know before starting this assignment.
- Your final reflection
(You may add more follow-up questions as needed)
Background & Early Life
- Where were you born?
- What was your childhood like?
- What early experiences shaped your identity and worldview?
- How did your cultural, racial, or community background influence you?
Entering Journalism
- What made you decide to become a journalist?
- Who were your early mentors or influences?
- What was your first journalism job like?
- What challenges did you face breaking into the field?
Workplace Experiences
- Have you ever experienced workplace tokenism?
- Have you experienced or observed racial privilege in the newsroom?
- Have you experienced gender privilege or inequalities in your career?
- How did these dynamics shape the stories you covered or opportunities you received?
Media, Identity, and Representation
- How does your identity (racial, ethnic, gender, cultural, linguistic, etc.) shape your reporting?
- What stereotypes or biases have you observed in mainstream media?
- How do you approach stories about your own community?
- What do you think newsrooms still need to improve when it comes to diversity?
Advice & Reflection
- What would you like young minority journalists to know?
- What has been your proudest moment as a journalist?
- How do you think journalism will change in the next decade?
CANVAS SUBMISSION CHECKLIST
Submit:
Term paper (1,000 words to 5 pages) Photo with interviewee (Insert in the document)
Notes: No Need to Interview for the assignment, go with the second option deceased Jourtnalist. Please no plagiarism or AI.