Meet Dispatch metro intern Zaria Johnson: "I love being able to meet and talk to new people"
Hi! I’m Zaria and I’m working as a metro desk intern with The Columbus Dispatch this summer. I’m from Cleveland and recently graduated from Kent State University with a degree in journalism and double minors in creative writing and media advocacy. While at Kent State, I fell in love with journalism and student media. I worked as a writer and editor-in-chief for UHURU Magazine, the magazine for Kent State’s BIPOC community, and I worked with the student news outlet The Kent Stater and KentWired as a reporter, editor and editor-in-chief.
Why I became a journalist:
I fell in love with writing when I was a kid and I used writing as an outlet for all the crazy ideas filling my head. Even though I knew I wanted to do something involving writing when I grew up, I didn’t think about becoming a journalist until 2013 after Trayvon Martin was killed and I noticed disparities in how some media outlets cover Black people and other marginalized people. I thought about what I wanted to change to ensure fair and equitable news coverage for BIPOC communities, and by the time I entered high school I realized I could be the change I hoped to see.
What I like best about my job:
I love being able to meet and talk to new people. Reporting and editing give me an opportunity to learn about something I may not have been exposed to otherwise. It's a rewarding experience working working a job that allows you to learn something new every day.
A story I have worked on that has had a lasting impact on me:
During the fall of 2020, I wrote a piece called Life After Black Squares that detailed how Black fashion students at Kent State felt the fashion industry might be changing after the death of George Floyd and many corporations aligning themselves with the Black Lives Matter Movement. The feelings were mixed. The students wanted to be optimistic that things were moving forward in a better direction, but they acknowledged that more needs to be done than making a post on social media. They felt motivated, as I did with journalism, to enter the industry, create change and leave doors open for Black people who enter the industry after them. When talking about an issue as big and systemic as racism, it can feel cumbersome and endless. So, it was heartwarming to know that my peers in the fashion space were passionate and eager to make changes in their corner of the world.
What is the biggest challenge I face:
I’ve learned that my biggest challenge is often myself. As someone who’s naturally more introverted, I find that I often have to force myself out of my comfort zone to make a good story great, connect with a new person and to ensure that I’m always learning and improving. But the satisfaction of trying something new is way better than the regret of missing out on a great experience. I just can’t let fear hold me back!
What I like to do when I'm not working:
I love watching reality TV and cartoons. They’re my not-so-guilty pleasures and it’s a great way to relax at the end of the day. I also really like yoga, roller skating and going out to new restaurants (which I’m particularly excited about now that I’m in Columbus!).
Favorite event or Central Ohio tradition:
I’m really looking forward to Columbus Pride! I’ve never been before, but I only hear good things about it. I’ve already got plans to bring my family down so we can all experience it together!
Why journalism matters:
Journalism gives readers insight into people they may not know and issues they may not be aware of. Journalists find ways to boil down big complex problems into pieces that are easy to understand and can motivate residents, leaders and legislators to make changes. Journalism allows people to learn and explore and to find new things to care about. It can inspire free thinking. That’s what I love about journalism and the work I do as a journalist.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Meet Zaria Johnson, Dispatch metro intern and Kent State graduate
