California Reporter Williamena on Journalism, Community, and Wild Stories | Tsunamii Interview

In this Tsunamii Interview, we sit down with Williamena, a Sacramento-based reporter for the Sacramento Observer, a publication dedicated to highlighting and uplifting the Black community. Williamena shares her journey from growing up in Liberia and Detroit to pursuing journalism in Oakland and Sacramento. She talks about the experiences that inspired her career, including reporting during the Ebola crisis and the importance of telling untold stories from marginalized communities.

Williamena dives into her reporting on education, arts and culture, transportation, and local Sacramento stories that matter. She reflects on her favorite assignments, including a story on disability and legal access, a documentary on Oakland school closures, early reporting on AI technologies, and the unveiling of a bust honoring Huey P. Newton of the Black Panthers. She also shares her thoughts on the power of journalism in shaping culture, elevating voices that often go unheard, and how local creatives and entrepreneurs can gain more recognition through media coverage.

Alongside journalism, Williamena talks about her love for filmmaking, short-form non-fiction stories, and the influence of music and art on her creative process. She provides advice for aspiring journalists: start now, build confidence, and learn by doing. This conversation is a deep dive into the challenges, triumphs, and impact of a journalist dedicated to truth, community, and storytelling.

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