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LaRisa Lynch
Independent journalist with a passion for community, enterprise and international reporting seeks full-time employment
Professional Background
LaRisa Lynch is a dedicated community-minded social justice journalist whose diverse writing experience spans several years. With a robust background in reporting, feature writing, and data-driven enterprise stories, LaRisa has established herself as a detailed-oriented reporter known for her exceptional skill set in multimedia storytelling. Her extensive range includes capabilities in photography, videography, and audio reporting, allowing her to craft compelling narratives that resonate with and inform her audience.
Over the years, LaRisa’s reporting work has not only captivated readers but has also gained recognition through various journalism awards. Notably, she has received two prestigious National Newspaper Publishers Association awards and four Illinois Press Association awards, affirming her commitment to quality journalism. Her reporting on social justice issues, particularly regarding voting access in Illinois jails and scams targeting underprivileged minorities by energy supply companies, has led to meaningful changes in state legislation, emphasizing her impactful role as a reporter.
At the Chicago Citizen newspaper, LaRisa served as a general assignment reporter, where she diligently covered the intricacies of specific communities in Chicago and its suburbs for the publication’s five weekly newspapers. From immigration issues to celebrating neighborhood festivals, her versatile reporting style effectively captured the essence of diverse topics. Her capabilities also extend to covering city government affairs and local elections, where LaRisa took an active role in writing the newspaper's endorsements and facilitating editorial board meetings, further showcasing her ability to navigate the multifaceted world of journalism.
In addition to her impressive reporting experience, LaRisa worked as an associate editor for Streetwise, a nonprofit publication focused on homelessness and social justice issues. Here, she contributed her analytical storytelling skills to shed light on critical topics such as poverty and public housing. Her career at the Chicago Defender began as a proofreader and reporter, where she honed her abilities in local news and feature writing. Subsequently, she advanced to the position of design editor, overseeing layout and design for multiple sections of the publication, utilizing software like QuarkXpress to bring visually engaging content to life.
LaRisa's adaptability to the rapidly changing media landscape has driven her to innovate. She launched an online hyper-local site that emphasizes multimedia reporting and original storytelling, showcasing her commitment to reporting that serves local communities. Currently, as a freelancer for various community newspapers, LaRisa looks forward to expanding her horizons, with a keen interest in pursuing international and investigative journalism opportunities, particularly in Africa. This area is a fervent topic for her, especially when it comes to covering the narratives surrounding the African Diaspora in the United States.
Education and Achievements
LaRisa Lynch earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Communication and Media Studies from Alabama State University, setting a strong foundation for her career in journalism and media. Additionally, she has sought further education and skill development through Northwestern University's Continuing Education Studies, emphasizing her commitment to lifelong learning and the pursuit of excellence in her craft.
Her achievements in journalism are noteworthy, with several prestigious awards recognizing her impactful social justice reporting and community engagement. Her work has made tangible differences in state laws and has highlighted issues of critical importance within the communities she serves.
Achievements
- National Newspaper Publishers Association Awards: Two-time recipient for excellence in journalism.
- Illinois Press Association Awards: Four-time recipient, awarded for various aspects of reporting.
- Chicago Headline Club Peter Lisagor Award: Recognized for best business/consumer affairs reporting, directly correlating with her impactful work on social justice issues.
- Social Justice Reporting: Remembered for her commitment to issues such as voting access in jails and addressing scams targeting low-income minorities in Illinois.
- Community Reporting and Mentoring: Actively engaged in community-based projects through her roles at City Bureau and as a mentor.
- Leadership Roles: Held key positions at multiple news organizations, showcasing her capabilities in editorial decision-making and design.
tags':['journalism','social justice','reporting','multimedia storytelling','community engagement','Illinois Press Association','National Newspaper Publishers Association','Chicago Defender','Streetwise Newspaper','online hyper-local reporting','investigative journalism','African Diaspora','communication studies','Alabama State University','Northwestern University','editorial board meetings','design editor'],
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