Online & On Air
Here’s a selection of the online and multimedia work I’ve produced.
Online Articles
Meet the Competition: For those first 20 years, Michael Brown never had problems getting a job. Perhaps it was his unfailingly polite demeanor. Maybe it was the put-together vibe he exuded, with his ever-present wire-framed glasses and the crisp clothes he wore even on casual days. Brown looked every bit the part of a disciplined, get-it-done type of guy. And for those 20 years, he was.. www.clevescene.com 10/26/2011 (reporting)
Schools out forever: If any building symbolizes the state of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, it’s Empire Elementary on Parmalee Avenue near East 93rd. From the outside, the building looks worn and weary. Boarded-up windows show that the school, constructed in 1915, has passed its prime. Inside, students’ voices echo through the hallways. www.clevescene.com 1/27/2010 (reporting)
What is Shariah, Exactly: Some critics of plans to build a mosque near Ground Zero warn that the imam behind it wants to bring Islamic Sharia law to the U.S. Before we decide to fear it, let’s at least understand what Sharia means. “The Root,” 8/27/ 2010 (reporting)
The Return of Sundown Towns: A tough law against illegal immigrants in Nebraska could revive the whites-only-at-night towns of our Jim Crow past. “The Root” (commentary)
Remixing Grandma’s Voice: How to preserve her stories in the age of the Ipod. “The Root” (essay)
When Fresh Food is a Luxury: An impoverished urban neighborhood sprouts roots from an asphalt garden. “The Root” (reporting)
Black History Month remains important, especially for white people “The Root ” (commentary)
On Air
Writing Poetry Improves Reluctant Readers’ Literacy Skills - Why do teenagers love to write, but hate to read? It’s a matter of engagement, and some teachers are using writing to get youngsters to consider books. For the “Front and Center Project” of WBEZ in Chicago.
The Name Game – It’s been almost a decade since economists showed that resumes with names like Greg and Emily generated more job interviews than resumes from Lakisha and Jamal. And since then there’s been the trend of people “whitening” their resumes by using initials instead of a full name. So the name game matters. But how accurate are the perceptions? For the “Race: Out Loud” series on WBEZ in Chicago. Listen to the story and play the game
Ramadan Mubarak: The Science of Breaking the Fast – Those observing Ramadan break the fast with a meal of dates and water or milk. Here’s why that combination is a perfect choice for reviving the body after abstaining from food and drink.