About Us
Quality stories by student journalists.
Before any journalism major can cross the graduation stage they must complete the most challenging course at Howard University's School of Communications. That course is Senior Capstone Thesis. In this course, students are required to cover breaking news and events which are published online and distributed to the Black press around the country.
In addition to their beat reporting, the student journalists write long-form stories and create multimedia projects pertaining to selected topics. The Spring 2019 cohort decided to cover health and education. Each student has carefully crafted their pieces and is ready to share them with the world. These are their stories.
Enjoy.
The Team
Professor Mark Beckford
Mark’s roots in journalism started in 2006 at The Gleaner in Kingston, Jamaica, where he rose from the position of intern to become the Online Content Coordinator for several of The Gleaner’s websites until he left in 2013. In 2013, Mark started working at the Washington Post on the universal news desk that manages the website’s home page and the Post’s content for their iPad and mobile applications. Today, Mark is an assistant professor in the department of media, journalism, and film at Howard University.
Kyle Hudson, Co-Creative Director
Kyle Hudson is a senior journalism major from Washington, DC attending Howard University. During his time at Howard, he has been active with the Howard University National Association of Black Journalists, the Howard University Campus Pals, as well as being president of the Howard University DMV Club, and his participation on the Promotions and Digital Content teams for WHBC 96.3 HD3, the student-run radio station. In addition to his on-campus involvement, Kyle has also worked as a Public Affairs Intern with WHUR 96.3 HD1.
Jasmine Hardy
Jasmine Hardy is a senior at Howard University currently studying Media, Journalism, and Film Communications with a concentration in Print Journalism. She is mostly interested in lifestyle and culture writing, but also has interest in and has written about race, gender, and entertainment topics as well. She has utilized many of the publications at Howard University, writing for the student run magazine, newspaper, and the sports website.
Imani Spencer
Alexa Imani Spencer is a graduating senior journalism major, Afro-American Studies minor at Howard University. For two years, Alexa Imani wrote for The Hilltop, Howard’s campus newspaper; covering issues such as socioeconomic inequality and police brutality. She also covered the Obama Administration in the White House Press Pool for Thomson Reuters news agency and later interned at ABC 7 Investigative News. In Summer 2017, Alexa Imani wrote for The Washington Informer as a Discover The Unexpected fellow. Last Spring, she was selected as a 2018 White House Correspondents’ Association scholar. She last reported at USA TODAY Money in New York as a Summer 2018 Knight CUNYJ fellow.
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Charity Hester
Charity Hester is a Multimedia Journalist, who works with different media outlets, such as radio, television, Internet, and so on. She is very versed in conducting research, producing written, audio and video materials, writing stories, using publishing software, and handling graphic design duties.
Charity has Created content for hyper-local blog and social media, resulting in one of the station's fastest growing follower bases. Also, she has reported, shot, edited, and produced video packages.
Maya King, Editor-in-Chief
Maya King is a senior journalism student in the Cathy Hughes School of Communications at Howard University. She has held positions at National Public Radio, USA Today and currently works on the Public Square team at the Democracy Fund. Following graduation, she will be working at POLITICO as an intern.
Jessica O'Donnell, Creative Director
Jessica O'Donnell is a senior journalism major and political science minor from Sacramento, Ca. She has experience in journalism, social media, and marketing. During her time at Howard she as interned with news stations, radio stations, as well as Apple Inc. She will begin her career as a marketing specialist for Apple Music upon graduation.
Kaylin Young, Social Media
Laura Cameron
Kaylin Young is a branding engineer with over three years of public relations experience and the Digital Content Strategist for Bleu Magazine. She is a skilled communications professional and has worked with nationally-recognized organizations and interviewed CEOs, celebrities, and Fortune 500 executives. Kaylin is a senior journalism major and sociology minor at Howard University.
Laura Cameron is a senior Journalism major and English minor at Howard University. Cameron is originally from Atlanta, GA. During her time Howard, Cameron has been able to work with Paramount Pictures and several DC organizations including CRUSH Magazine, Dandl, and Peace Thru Culture. After she graduates from Howard University, she plans to move to New York to pursue editorial writing in order to combine her love for writing, photography, and fashion.
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Siobhan Stewart
Siobhan Stewart is a senior journalism major, Spanish minor at Howard University. She is the General Manager of Spotlight Network, which she has been a member of since her freshman year. Outside of Howard, she has interned with United Way and WHUT. Currently, she is a senior program specialist in media relations with Marriott International.
BreAnna Bell
My name is BreAnna Bell and I am currently a senior journalism major, political science minor attending Howard University. I like to tell stories. I cover everything from lifestyle and culture to investigative news. My goal is to tell the amazing stories of the everyday person. I am a voice for the voiceless and a, soon to be, pioneer of the industry. I love to shine a light on real issues and I attempt to accomplish that through my platform.
Kyana Harris
Kyana Harris is a graduating senior journalism major, Afro-American studies minor from Plainfield, New Jersey. She has written content for The Hilltop and WHBC's digital website. She also co-hosts a podcast on Glasshouse Radio called Extraverted. In her spare time she enjoys watching black TV & film, exploring different cities, and critiquing current music. Though she is not exactly sure what her next step will be, she is confident that opportunities are incoming.
Amiyah King
Amiyah is a senior at Howard University. Freshman year she was an assistant editor at FreshU publication. Following her time as a digital editor, she began writing think pieces and feature stories for The Odyssey Online. Amiyah has also co-hosted a radio show with Glasshouse Radio and served as a part of the social media team for Spotlight Network. Her writing can be found in The Hilltop, Howard University News Service, The Afro and most notably, The Buffalo News—the leading newspaper in my hometown, Buffalo, New York.
Merdie Nzanga
Merdie Nzanga is an experienced journalist from Seattle, Washington. During her time at Howard University she has written for the Hilltop and been apart of the Howard University Association of Black Journalists. In addition, she has interned with NBC as part of the Today Show, ABC News, and USA Today as a capitol hill reporting intern.
Breon Perry
Breon Perry is senior print journalism major and political science minor from San Diego, Ca. Breon has interned at the House of Representatives and Radio Free Europe while studying abroad in Prague, Czech Republic. He is also a member of the Howard University Pre-Law Chapter of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International. Breon plans to attend law school upon graduation.