Bio

“When I write, I am trying to express my way of being in the world.”

Zadie Smith

In August 2025, I moved to Tennessee to serve as the Nashville Banner’s new enterprise reporter. In my role, I’ve connected with residents to learn more about how issues in Nashville are impacting them and their neighbors. Additionally, I’m producing holistic coverage of South Nashville, a low-income neighborhood that has been largely neglected by the media. In my work, I’ve strived to report on residents with dignity while empowering my community connections and holding policymakers and agencies accountable.

After graduating from Savannah State University in December 2023, I put my passion for community-driven reporting into action and moved to Twin Falls, Idaho, to serve as the education and politics reporter for the local paper. During my time there, my work focused on the impact of state policies on rural school districts and libraries, and grassroots efforts to uplift students and their families. Additionally, I expanded the paper’s coverage of Black and LGBQT+ communities with articles on issues they faced in a conservative region.

In September 2024, I moved back to my hometown of Atlanta and began reporting for The 19th News as a 2024-2025 Frances Ellen Watkins Harper fellow — a competitive program that provides early-career journalists with mentorship and professional development. In my position, I pitched and produced feature and breaking news stories that further the publication’s impactful work that analyzes how policies impact women of color and the LGBTQ+ community.

I also contributed to critical breaking news coverage outlining Trump’s first few weeks in office, including his move to shut down federal DEI offices and executive orders targeting trans service members and military DEI initiatives. I wrote top-performing enterprise stories, such as one about Native American women stepping into leadership, which had a recirculation rate of more than three times the publication’s average.

Growing up, I loved reading, writing and learning more about the world around me, which influenced my decision to become a journalist. In college, I served as the Editor-in-Chief of Tiger’s Roar, the student newspaper, and in my position, I rebuilt the news team during COVID-19, increased student awareness of on-campus issues by leading a dedicated team of reporters and learned what it takes to be a true leader.

Over the years, I’ve learned my passion lies in uplifting my community and highlighting its issues to pave the way for a better future. As I build my career in the years to come, I will continue to serve, inform and uplift communities I can call home.

When I am not reporting or uncovering new stories, you can find me writing an essay for my blog, The Black Girl Diaries, reading a new book, watching an in-depth YouTube video essay about pop culture or spending time with friends and family.