Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school? 

I grew up around Philadelphia, but I’ve lived all over the United States. Before Annenberg, I was working with housing activists in West Philadelphia, to document the movement for fair housing. Prior to that, I reported for Aljazeera Arabic and AJ+; freelanced for The Guardian; and produced documentaries — like “Sweetheart Dancers,” which can be seen on Showtime.

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?   

You’re going to laugh at me — I googled “best journalism schools in the U.S.,” and Annenberg came up. I loved the idea that, through Specialized Journalism, I could take classes across the university and focus on filling in my knowledge gaps, across mediums. 

When I got accepted, Annenberg recruited me hard, offered me a lot of amazing opportunities, and thoroughly wooed me. After the previous seven years of covering politics, protests, and social justice issues… I was so, so grateful for the encouragement to hone my craft among such a supportive cohort of educators. Getting in and being offered access to their truly world-class resources felt like such a prize and a gift, after years of difficult work. 

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program? 

The mentorship at Annenberg is impeccable. I had so many questions, coming in, about how to handle sensitive source material, conflict zone-level security, and narrative ethics. I’ve been amazed and grateful at how kind and delicate the professors and students have been, helping me navigate these confusions and challenges. Also, as a mid-career journalist, I love the fact that I can tailor the experience and course load to my needs and goals. I was able to really buckle down, find excellent editors, and develop my unique, journalistic voice.