My storytelling journey began on the front porch of the house where I live today—a home rich with history and connection. This house, where my grandmother and mother grew up, has always been a gathering place for stories and reflection. As a child, I spent countless hours on that porch, listening to family tales that shaped my understanding of the world.
I moved to Vicksburg in early 2004 just after beginning my career as a local newspaper reporter. Living in my grandmother’s home connected me deeply to my roots and the community I served. As a reporter, I learned that stories are the threads that connect us, help us make sense of the world, and inspire change.
In 2014, I founded The ‘Sip magazine, a publication that celebrated Mississippi’s culture through its people, places, and stories. Over the next five years, I published 15 issues, each filled with narratives that reflected the beauty and complexity of life in Mississippi. However, the financial realities of running a print publication ultimately forced me to stop publishing. It was a humbling experience, and it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, creativity, and the challenges of sustaining independent media.
At Mississippi Today, I faced new challenges as I transitioned to digital journalism. Advocating for innovation in a digital-first newsroom meant confronting traditional media concepts that no longer served the audience or the mission—breaking free from pageview-driven models, outdated advertising strategies, and competitive mindsets. I worked to prioritize engagement, connection, and shared purpose by creating a cross-departmental team to foster collaboration, addressing challenges often posed by traditional, siloed newsroom structures.
Most recently, at Deep South Today, I led efforts to scale audience growth and ensure the sustainability of local newsrooms. This role deepened my understanding of the complex dynamics in nonprofit journalism and the challenges of balancing innovation with long-standing industry expectations. Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed the gaps in how traditional media approaches storytelling and leadership. Too often, media fails to prioritize inclusion, empathy, and authentic community engagement.
These experiences—both the successes and the struggles—have shaped my vision for LF Voices Collective. At LFVC, I aim to address the shortcomings of traditional media and storytelling by creating spaces where underrepresented voices are amplified, where people see themselves in the stories and policies that affect their lives, and where connection inspires change.
The lessons I’ve learned have taught me that storytelling is about sharing experiences, fostering empathy and empowering people. By reimagining how stories are told, we can break down outdated systems, transform communities, and build a more inclusive society.
Today, when I sit on my front porch—the same porch where generations of my family have gathered—I’m reminded of the power of stories to connect us, shape our identities, and drive progress. Through LF Voices Collective, I honor that legacy by creating opportunities for every voice to be heard and every story to find its place. This work is both my passion and my purpose.
