8 new journalists graduate from Diversity Institute
By freedomforum.org staff
08.26.02
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Eight new journalists, graduates of the inaugural Freedom Forum Diversity Institute class, received certificates and accolades on Aug. 23 at the John Seigenthaler Center in Nashville.
The Diversity Institute, a program to develop a new pool of journalists of color, is operated by the Freedom Forum at Vanderbilt University. It trains non-traditional students to work at their local daily newspapers in the United States. Most students are making a career transition into journalism.
Charles Overby advised the graduates to remember “the power of an idea and following up on that idea” as they begin work at their newspapers. “I challenge you to be as bold as you were when you followed up on your idea to come here” to the institute, he said.
"You are a part of history," said Overby. "There's never been a diversity institute before."
John Seigenthaler told the audience of graduates, their families and Freedom Forum staff, “Part of what you’re about is helping your communities … by reflecting your communities. ... It’s your job to make knowledge and understanding meaningful.”
Fellow Margaret Bailey, speaking for the inaugural class, thanked the Freedom Forum “for giving us a jump start on our careers as professional journalists" and introducing the fellows to "places where great stories are waiting to be told."
"Overcoming fear" about their new career direction, Bailey said, was a major effort for all of the institute fellows.
Another graduate, Monica Bryant, read a poem she had written about the fellows’ 12-week training course. Two things the class learned, she wrote, were that “good reporting is based on facts, not just on things you’ve heard,” and, “We serve the reader, not the source.”
Wanda Lloyd, executive director of the Diversity Institute, concluded the ceremonies by telling the fellows, “Take with you the confidence to tell untold stories in newspapers across this land.”
The Fellows and their new assignments:
Roxye Arellano: Community news reporter and editor of the YES page at the Greeley (Colo.) Tribune.
Margaret Bailey: Reporter at the Savannah (Ga.) Morning News.
Monica Bryant: Reporter covering west Marion County, Fla., for the Ocala Star-Banner.
Shiloh Crawford III: Staff photographer for the Dayton Daily News in Ohio.
Shawna Kelsch: Reporter for the Communities section of Florida Today in Melbourne.
My-Ly Nguyen: Business reporter at the Binghamton, N.Y., Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Diane Tinsley: Graphic artist for The Record in Hackensack, N.J.
Alonzo Weston: Beat reporter covering mental health, and a columnist, for the St. Joseph (Mo.) News-Press.
The next session begins Sept. 22.
Related
'The Power of the Pen'
Graduation poem by 2002 Diversity Institute Fellow Monica Bryant.
08.26.02
Diversity Institute at Vanderbilt University
Information on Freedom Forum Diversity Institute in Nashville, Tenn., to develop new pool of journalists of color.
02.16.09
