Experience *
Experience *
CNN | New York City, New York
Producer for CNN’s Harry Enten | 3/2025 — Present
Works closely with CNN’s Harry Enten to create his on-air graphics; assists with research, newsgathering and fact checking as needed; serves as the link between Harry and show teams when he pitches stories and scheduling on air appearances; collaborates with show teams to ensure graphics adhere to CNN’s high standards of of accuracy and fair reporting and the show’s aesthetic; uses internal CNN applications such as iNews and NewMedia to make sure the graphics are uploaded and coded properly in the rundowns; collaborates with other CNN platforms to deliver look lives for broadcast and film vertical videos for CNN’s social media pages and the website; when in the field, amongst other duties.
News Associate | 8/2024 — Present
Assists the national news hub, show teams and the business news desk through pitching and writing breaking news and feature stories for digital and cross platform use; supporting editorial news gathering through researching, interviewing and logging; supporting reporters and producers in video package production by obtaining elements; preparing guests for live and pre-taped TV interviews; assisting in the field; amongst other duties.
Freelance News Assistant, CNN NYC Bureau | New York City, New York | 12/2023 - 8/2024
Researched, interviewed and wrote breaking news stories for various departments; booked feeds for the United Nations, NY Governor, NYC Mayor and others; and assisted producers and editors to aid in online and TV packages.
CNN NY Bureau News Gathering Intern, CNN NYC Bureau | New York City, New York | 06/2023 - 08/2023
Wrote stories and news alerts; conducted reach outs, built relationships with sources; obtained legal documents; covered pressers/court proceedings; and assisted with newsgathering to aid in TV package production.
queer on the street | New York City, New York
Founder / Editor | 6/2023 - Present
Curates, writes and edits a dynamic weekly newsletter highlighting culture, nightlife and other community happenings in New York City. Communicates with local leaders, event organizers, venues and LGBTQIA+ establishments to include as many diverse and wide ranging events as possible.
Conducts research and outreach to increase the diversity and range of events in the newsletter. Analyzes data from Substack’s subscriber dashboard and Instagram’s business tools to improve audience engagement and retention, optimize content through feedback forms and other methods to understand which types of events subscribers prefer.
Continues to manage all social media pages (see description below).
Founder / Editor | 12/2021 — 6/2023*
Oversaw the entire queer on the street publication through intense organization, communication, leadership and determination. Managed all editorial content by utilizing news judgement, creating and adhering to an editorial calendar, prioritizing timely stories, staying informed on trends and issues and collaborating with the one freelancer through assigning, editing, fact-checking his work and ensuring he was paid.
Managed all social media pages by creating graphics, launching social media campaigns to enhance news consumption and brand awareness, utilizing social media strategies such as creating platform specific content, staying on top of the latest social media trends, analyzing website and social media user analytics, offering fresh and relevant content, amongst other strategies.
Reported on LGBTQIA+ news, politics, culture and community issues in New York City through interviews, extensive research and on the ground reporting; wrote and published breaking news, spot stories, enterprise and investigative stories; and developed relationships with sources and community leaders to better inform reporting and stay in the know.
*NOTE: Between 2021 and 2023, queer on the street was a fully functioning culture and news digital publication. Upon employment at CNN, queer on the street shifted away from a news publication to only posting about upcoming LGBTQIA+ events to comply with company policies.
ThinkCERCA | Remote
Content Project Manager | 06/2021 —05/2022
Developed and maintained a detailed content schedule and calendar to ensure timely publication of literacy content and accompanying assets so all students, teachers and school districts using ThinkCERCA could have the most up-to-date and robust content possible. Facilitated a smooth flow of incoming content for the literacy platform by collaborating with other teams and managing freelancers through tracking assignments and deadlines. Assisted other teams with writing and editing course content; preparing marketing materials and writing copy; and occasionally stepping in to record voiceovers when freelancers were unavailable in order to ensure deadlines and company goals were met.
Transformed an outdated and disorganized content data library into one that is comprehensive, organized, and up-to-date. This data library was used by the entire team, including the CEO, and helped to not only track assignments and deadlines, but also served as a resource to various teams. The marketing and communications team used the data library to create and write content to attract new customers; the social media team used it to create stunning graphics; the business team used it to strengthen their pitches to existing and potential customers to sign a contract or renew; and the leadership used it for potential investors.
Journal & Topics News Group | Des Plaines, Illinois
General Assignment Reporter | 07/2019 —08/2020
Was the main reporter for the Mount Prospect Journal. Covered local government, crime beat, features, events, and other stories as assigned. Researched, investigated and reported news with accuracy under tight deadlines.
Wilbur Wright College | Chicago, Illinois
Testing Specialist | 08/2014 — 08/2020
Administered, proctored and handled tests such as the placement test, TEAS nursing test, GED, HiSett, CLEP, etc. Entered in test scores for the students of City Colleges of Chicago; performed administrative and clerical duties when required; and troubleshot various equipment, computer software, and programs. Daily clerical duties such tedious data entry of test scores, email correspondence to college administration, professors, staff and students; answering phones; amongst other duties.
Independent Newspaper | Chicago, Illinois
Co-Managing Editor | 03/2018 — 05/2019
Lead an editorial team of 10 in producing high-quality weekly content across print and digital platforms; planned editorial strategy and standards, enforced deadlines, and maintained the budget with the other co-managing editor. Mentored writers and editors to help them become best versions of themselves.
News Editor | 06/2018 — 05/2019
Finding and assigning stories; teaching AP style to staff; editing articles; writing news stories*; fact-checking; headline writing; and collaborating with photographers and other editors. *has written more than 50 news articles at the Independent.
Production Manager | 01/2019 —05/2019
Planning newspaper layout; finalizing photos using Photoshop; laying out the newspaper on InDesign; editing; proofreading; dropping stories, photos and ads; and following up with editors and staff about stories, photos, graphics and ads.
Staff Reporter | 01/2018 — 03/2018
Wrote assigned articles for news, arts and life and opinions and revised articles.
Christina Cross’ Smiling Souls | Remote
Social Media Manager | 01/2016 — 01/2019
Kept social media up-to-date with events, classes and news. Interacted with potential, new and current students via posts, comments and messages. Maintained brand awareness and online reputation. Created and managed content. Used search engine optimization (SEO) on Facebook page to draw more attention to social media page. Administered, created and published high-quality content that is relevant to Smiling Souls and/or owner Christina Cross. Kept a regular schedule for post publishing
Chicago News Media Group | Chicago, Illinois
Editorial Intern | 12/2018 — 02/2019
Wrote and revised article; fact-checked; learned importance of SEO and how to use it properly.
The Wright Times Newspaper | Chicago, Illinois
Editor-in-Chief | 04/2016 — 12/2016
Took care of the day-to-day duties; coordinated with the advertisement agencies; had final say of what was published; managed a staff of 15; hired and trained editors; and maintained the social media pages.
Arts and Culture Editor | 11/2015 — 04/2016
Wrote assigned articles for arts and culture, assigned writers articles and revised articles.
Staff Reporter | 08/2015 — 11/2015
Wrote assigned articles for news, arts and life and opinions and revised articles as requested by editor.
The Wright Side Magazine | Chicago, Illinois
Editor-in-Chief | 08/2015 — 06/2016
Collected, compiled and read through all of the submissions; designed the magazine’s style, size and theme and managed a staff of 10.
Education
Masters Degree in Journalism
The Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism — New York City, New York
Bachelors Degree in Communications, Media and Theatre
Northeastern Illinois University - Chicago, Illinois
Associates Degree in Liberal Arts
Wilbur Wright College - Chicago, Illinois
Associations & Affiliations
Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists
Ida B. Wells Society
Investigative Reporters and Editors
Society of Professional Journalists
Trans Journalists Association