Media Literacy in Action
As a Media Literacy Fellow with 1Hood Media, I spent 15 months immersed in the heart of community organizing, education, and cultural work—bridging the gap between policy and people, media and movement. This fellowship was an opportunity to step into my purpose. Every project, event, and campaign was rooted in expanding access, deepening understanding, and creating space for joy, truth-telling, and collective learning. It allowed me to educate and empower others, using my voice and passion to connect underrepresented communities with the tools they need to liberate themselves.
Through this role, I had the privilege of amplifying stories that often go unheard, reframing the narratives that shape our world. Working closely with communities, I helped them see what’s possible when we come together to create our own futures.
Strategic Campaigns & Civic Engagement
One of my proudest contributions was assisting 1Hood Power’s civic engagement initiatives. I designed creative strategies to increase voter participation, particularly among Black youth and underrepresented communities. I organized Democracy After Dark, a Halloween-themed civic engagement event that blended political dialogue with cultural experience. We brought together legislators, artists, and community members for a night of conversation, performance, and civic education, fostering a joyful and welcoming space for everyone.
In addition, I contributed to Fridays on Deck, a community safety initiative at Liberty Green Park. This event centered collective healing, safety, and wellness, moving beyond law enforcement to embrace solidarity and mutual care. I led outreach efforts, handled logistics, and facilitated conversations that centered on those most impacted by systemic issues.
My participation in the We Keep Us Safe cohort introduced me to the power of community-based alternatives to policing, prioritizing local leadership, mutual aid, and healing justice over surveillance. We reimagined safety rooted in culture, community wisdom, and history.
Education, Curriculum Design & Media Literacy
During my fellowship, I helped develop the Media Academy curriculum, an interactive, multimedia learning experience designed to challenge harmful media systems. The curriculum covers media bias, propaganda, visual literacy, and digital storytelling, offering accessible, culturally relevant lessons for diverse audiences.
I organized workshops with youth and community members across Pittsburgh, blending conversation, creative exercises, and real-world analysis to deepen their media literacy and creative skills. These sessions empowered participants to translate their voices into powerful visual narratives and critically engage with the media they consume and produce.
In addition to developing workshops, I created over 25 original digital assets—including infographics, flyers, and social media templates—for campaigns on queer justice, youth empowerment, and community safety. These visual materials simplified complex issues and helped ensure that key messages reached a broad audience in an engaging, accessible format.
Community Partnerships & Grassroots Organizing
My role extended beyond the digital space, where I built partnerships with local leaders and grassroots organizations. I supported events like Good Neighbor Day , Building Beloved Community, Juneteenth Game at PNC Park, and much more. These events focused on relationship-building and long-term community investment, thus strengthening 1Hood’s connections with local institutions and activists, ensuring that the voices of those directly impacted by injustice were always prioritized.
I also contributed to the organization of events featuring hip-hop artists, community leaders, and activists. Through these events, I managed logistics, coordinated outreach, and ensured that the energy in each space aligned with our core values of accessibility, joy, and community empowerment.
Digital Content Creation with Ya Momz House
In addition to my work with 1Hood Media, I also had the privilege of collaborating with Ya Momz House, an Emmy Award-winning digital multimedia agency focused on amplifying voices within the community. My role involved crafting engaging digital content that resonated with a diverse audience, blending creativity with advocacy.
Through Ya Momz House, I contributed to the development and production of multimedia content, including video, graphics, and social media campaigns. My work helped elevate important narratives that speak to the heart of our community, from everyday experiences to moments of empowerment. This experience deepened my understanding of the power of digital storytelling in creating connections and sparking meaningful dialogue.
Leadership, Logistics & Long-Term Impact
Throughout the fellowship, I balanced creative production with strategic planning. I managed budgets, coordinated with stakeholders, and analyzed campaign data to refine our approach. Whether organizing civic events, leading workshops, or creating educational resources, my work always centered on building power and possibility through storytelling, education, and community empowerment.
I supported over 50 leaders, policymakers, educators, students, and artists across various programs that inspired civic action and deepened media literacy throughout the city. This fellowship sharpened my skills, deepened my values, and further committed me to transformative media and community work.
In Conclusion:
This fellowship allowed me to step into my purpose and contribute to a broader vision for community empowerment. It wasn’t just about teaching or creating—it was about offering the tools for others to reclaim and reframe their narratives. Every project, every event, every conversation, and every collaboration reminded me that we have the power to transform our communities and our futures through collective action and storytelling.
