Melissa Elian

Melissa Bunni Elian is a distinguished multimedia journalist from Yonkers, NY, recognized for her impactful work across various prestigious platforms including The Washington Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. As a Fujifilm ambassador, her projects delve into stories of the African Diaspora, social justice, and structural inequality. She has collaborated with renowned institutions like Google for the Lynching in America Project, displayed at The Brooklyn Museum. Melissa honed her photography skills at the Bronx Documentary Center and co-founded the Bronx Photo League.

She has garnered accolades such as being listed in American Photo Magazine's top 50 photography books for 'The Jerome Avenue Workers Project' and featured in notable publications like Mfon and Black Futures. Her commitment to shedding light on systemic issues led her to receive a grant from the Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting to explore the evolution of Afropunk as a global movement fostering acceptance and resistance.

An alumna of Columbia Graduate School of Journalism, Melissa Elian advocates for diverse representation in media and is an active member of Women Photograph, Native Agency, Diversify Photo, Authority Collective, and the National Association of Black Journalists’ Visual Task Force. With a passion for storytelling and visual communication, Melissa continues to inspire through her compelling work and dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices.