Below are just a few examples of my work. (Read more about me.)
Creative approach
These pieces show how I can breathe life into an issue you’ve heard about many times, by approaching it from a slightly offbeat angle or, when appropriate, adding personal insight. I’ve become more versatile by working both with organizations that require a straightforward reporting and writing style and ones that prefer commentary.
- How the naked photos of Jackie O. showed her inner Marilyn, Double X, Aug. 28, 2009
- As pay phones vanish, homeless find other ways to stay connected, Maryland Newsline, Nov. 29, 2007
- As 1960s progress, so will ‘Mad Men’ women, TheLoop21.com, Aug. 18, 2009
- President Obama’s reaction to Gates’ arrest show times have changed, TheLoop21.com, July 23, 2009
- Should you go back to school in the recession?, TheLoop21.com, April 9, 2009
- 10 ways Hurricane Katrina changed lives far north of the coast, (PDF) The Shreveport (La.) Times, Nov. 6, 2005 Part 2 Part 3
Strong writing and reporting
As a newspaper reporter, I learned all about digging deep and reporting accurately on a tight deadline. The following stories are the result of long interviews, research of court records and dense reports, and a lot of careful thought, whether within a couple hours or over a couple weeks.
- The mashup man, American Journalism Review, December 2006/January 2007
- Why the mainstream media have a tough time covering race, TheLoop21.com, Feb. 19, 2009
- L.A. Archetype: The Life of a… Dog Walker, Los Angeles magazine, July 2008
- Burgeoning bureau, American Journalism Review, October/November 2006
- Justice Department: Bossier Schools hampering desegregation, (PDF) The Shreveport (La.) Times, Sept. 14, 2005 Part 2
- The Soloist, recession shine light on the homeless, TheLoop21.com, April 23, 2009
Multimedia skills
As an online editor, I use basic HTML, select and crop photos, package content for the Web using a CMS, and promote that content through social media daily. But I’ve also made it a priority to create multimedia content, often using free or inexpensive software, like Soundslides and Dipity. These are a few examples of multimedia content I reported, produced and posted using Adobe Dreamweaver or a content management system.
- Timeline: Michael Jackson’s soundtrack to our lives, TheLoop21.com, Aug. 24, 2009
- Interactive map: Where were you on Election Day 2008?, TheLoop21.com, Nov. 2, 2009
- Audio slideshow: Fans find favorite authors at book fest, Maryland Newsline, Oct. 11, 2007
- Video: Should black students go to historically black colleges?, TheLoop21.com, Sept. 29, 2009
- Timeline: HIV/AIDS in black America, TheLoop21.com, June 22, 2009 (TheLoop21.com editorial assistants Annie Gldzhyan and Anita N. Little helped with research.)