The Modesto Bee’s editorial voice is informed by nonjournalists’ life experiences

The Modesto Bee Editorial Board
·2 min read

A’Kia Walker, Mark Haskett and Cecelia Hudelson have joined the latest rotation of The Modesto Bee’s Community Advisory Board.

From left, Cecelia Hudelson, Mark Haskett and A’Kia Walker
From left, Cecelia Hudelson, Mark Haskett and A’Kia Walker

The panel is composed of nonjournalist volunteers bringing fresh eyes and diverse life experiences to this opinions page. They will meet with and advise The Bee’s Editorial Board, helping to develop stances on important issues of the day through the end of the year.

Walker, a Modesto native, is executive director of Stanislaus County Youth Empowerment Program, a nonprofit she helped found which assists young people of color with wellness, career and educational opportunities. She previously worked with Associated Students of California State University, Stanislaus, where she studied molecular and microbial biology and was a track and field athlete.

A’Kia Walker, executive director of Stanislaus County Youth Empowerment Program
A’Kia Walker, executive director of Stanislaus County Youth Empowerment Program

Haskett, a Modesto resident, is a graphic artist, musician and writer who has authored several non-fiction books and novels that invite readers to explore the nexus of religion, spirituality and personal meaning. He was the founding director of InnerFaith Resources in Modesto and a member of the Stanislaus County Interfaith Council.

Mark Haskett of Modesto
Mark Haskett of Modesto

Columns by both Walker (on helping underrepresented youth) and Haskett (abortion, religion and a Civil War reenactment) have appeared on this opinions page, and readers might expect to see more of their work.

Hudelson’s family has farmed 170 years in Hughson, where she was raised, and her educational accomplishments include two master’s degrees from the London School of Economics. She has taught geographic and economic history at Modesto Junior College since 1997, is now an instructor at Stanislaus State, and taught the spring semester this year at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. as well.

Cecelia Hudelson, professor of geography and economics at Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus.
Cecelia Hudelson, professor of geography and economics at Modesto Junior College and CSU Stanislaus.

Hudelson has coached soccer, basketball, track, and volleyball for area schools, and sits on the board of directors for the McHenry Mansion and Historical Society.

Advisors lend passion to editorials

While The Bee is thrilled to welcome Walker, Haskett and Hudelson, it won’t be easy to part with Anita Hellam, Nico Solorio and Bunny Stevens, who served with passion and dedication the first half of the year. In that time, they helped deliberate and inform editorial positions on the proposed Delta tunnel and the Altamont Corridor Express passenger train expansion, and sat in on interviews with state Assemblyman Juan Alanis, Congressman John Duarte, Modesto Police Chief Brandon Gillespie, public health officer Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, and Javier Lopez and Richard O’Brien, respectively the mayors of Ceres and Riverbank.

Those serving in 2022 were Joyce Parker, Rosalee Rush and Salvatore Salerno, and Tahmirah Mecca, Doug Maner and Tina Driskill.

Next year’s Community Advisory Board cohorts will help shape endorsements of candidates for public office on all levels in the 2024 primary and general elections. If you are interested in serving, or know someone who should, drop us a line at mfigueroa@modbee.com.