As I’ve sat down at my laptop multiple times to write this, I’ve asked myself, “Why are you a journalist?” 

While I hoped to come up with a tear-jerking and overly sentimental response, I realized the answer was very simple. I’ve always wanted to be a journalist because I love serving others. I love connecting with people, uplifting the voiceless, educating my community and spreading truth.

I grew up in predominantly white spaces, whether it be school, church or extracurricular activities. I was always aware I had the darkest skin in the room, and thus, I was hyper aware of the injustices minoritized communities faced.

I wanted to do something about that injustice, something to make the world a better place for every young brown woman who followed behind me.

If you would have asked my younger self what I wanted to do when I grew up, I most likely would have told you, “Make the world a better place.” This is still true. That’s all I want to do, and I feel that’s exactly what I get to do as a journalist at the Iowa State Daily.

I have worked on different sections at the Daily, from beat reporting for diversity to being the voices editor to my current role as engagement editor. Throughout the years I’ve spent at the Daily, I have gotten to meet some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met and share so many incredible, important stories.

I have gotten to work with Black fashion designers, non-binary police officers, first-generation students, Ames Black Lives Matter, politicians and so many more outstanding members of the Ames and Iowa State communities. 

Journalism and my role in delivering news to our community has brought me a fulfillment I never expected to receive. My experience as a journalist has given me confidence in my ability to make this world a better place and make my childhood-self proud. 

The world of news and journalism has so much to offer for all of us, whether you are consuming or producing it.

As Henry Grunwald once said, “Journalism can never be silent: that is its greatest virtue and its greatest fault. It must speak, and speak immediately, while the echoes of wonder, the claims of triumph and the signs of horror are still in the air.”