Telling stories changes us.
Five years ago, I started taking occasional freelance journalism work with the local weekly Soapbox, a digital news publication with a heavy focus on community news. Up until then, I had subcontracted a few stories for journalist friends and was often copywriting for work, but I was mostly writing music and dabbling in blogging for myself.
The Soapbox gig was exciting for me because I’d spent the past ten years involved in community-based nonprofit work, first as an AmeriCorps member and then on staff with Keep Cincinnati Beautiful. I had met many amazing Cincinnati residents during that time and had partnered with people in nearly every city neighborhood, as well as regional communities.
I loved the people of Cincinnati and I was excited to help tell their stories.
Of all the stories I’ve written, my favorite by far are the “people stories.” For these stories, I’ve had the pleasure of sitting face to face with the subjects, sometimes sharing a cup of coffee or a glass of beer, around town or in their homes, hearing about not only the awesome work they’re engaged in today but where they’re from and what motivates and inspires them.
I have met some remarkable people and have heard both heartbreaking and encouraging stories. More than once, I’ve found myself choking back tears in our interviews. More than once, I’ve found myself laughing with them and sharing my own similar experience. Nearly every time, I’ve walked away wondering how I could possibly do justice to their experience.
Many of my stories have been focused on amazing people of color or the issues relevant to, specifically, black residents or neighborhoods in our city–including two separate three-month embedded journalism projects in the Walnut Hills neighborhood. From my brief experience with these people, I have learned how much we have in common and, just as often, how very different our lives have been.
I have learned how very much I still have to learn.
I count myself blessed to help tell their stories and twelve of my favorites are shared below.
– Walnut Hills diversity and affordable housing issues with resident Kathryne Gardette and business owner Matt Cuff (2020).
– MORTAR co-founder and entrepreneur Derrick Braziel (2015)
– Avondale resident and community leader Fulton Jefferson (2015).
– Walnut Hills’ Frederick Douglass School’s resource coordinator Sheena Dunn and parent leader Jeanna Martin (2016).
– Walnut Hills’ Frederick Douglass School with resident Sowonie Kollie (2020).
– Bush Recreation Center Director Vanessa Henderson and Grand Master Martess Miller of Miller’s Karate Studios (2016).
– Covington, Kentucky’s Lincoln Grant Scholar House and resident Teasa Johnson (2017).
– Ollie’s Trolley’s owner Martin Smith (2018).
– Cincinnati Health Department Commissioner Melba Moore (2019).
– Racial reconciliation group facilitator Lynn Watts (2019).
– Walnut Hills residents and urban professionals Allen and Kyla Woods (2020).
– And, my absolute favorite story to write was about three local centenarians, including Mattie Walker (2017). (One of these beautiful people has since passed.)
Enjoy!
the walking green 