Jenae N. Barnes
Summary
Experienced professional with exceptional written and verbal communication skills. Adept in navigating the complexities of global affairs and public health. Proven track record in administrative and event coordination, ensuring seamless execution of projects. Possesses a strong aptitude for research coordination, effectively synthesizing information to drive informed decision-making.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
U.S. Story Reach Reporting Fellow
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
05.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: NGO
- Leads $20,000 project focusing on impacts of environmental pollution on Black maternal health in Gary, Indiana
- Manage organizational capacities including facilitating editorial meetings, strategizing story content, drafting reporting plans, funding and expenses, and planning innovative engagement activities
- Strategize ways to expand the reach and impact of reporting through effective public outreach and engagement activities with local stakeholders including state health officials, local politicians, and community leaders
- Engage in collaborative learning with peers and staff internationally, as well as editors across the newsroom, benefiting from diverse perspectives and shared skills
Health and Environment Reporter
Capital B Gary
10.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: NGO
- Writes news articles and tracks updates on federal and state climate, health policies for local audience
- Maintains a source database of federal and state climate stakeholders, including the Environmental Protection Agency, Indiana Dept of Environmental Management, U.S. Steel,
- Drafts weekly newsletters and social media copy to create promote reported stories to 500+ subscriber base
- Synthesizes complex state data and reports into digestible and compelling stories tailored to community audiences
- Conducts in-depth research, through interviewing expert sources, and creating impact presentations for internal use
Fact-Checker/Research Assistant
Vann Newkirk
03.2022 - 09.2023
- Company Overview: Freelance
- Researched, fact-checked story content, and compiled a list of sources for interviews
- Developed research briefs on interviewees background to provide to the editorial team
- Conducted pre-interviews and research on climate inequities in first free Black towns in the U.S.
Program Assistant
Internews' Earth Journalism Network
01.2021 - 08.2021
- Company Overview: NGO
- Promoted international climate coverage based on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
- Managed and organized Latin American story grant award selection across international time zones
- Wrote newsletters, social media copy, web content to engage audience outreach
- Managed EJN email inbox for potential pitches, questions, or administrative needs
Communications Associate
Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: Services
- Drafted speeches and assisted in organizing in-person events at world-class Shabazz Center
- Wrote newsletter copy and created social media content for distribution to organization's donors
Apple News Editorial Fellow
Apple Inc.
08.2022 - 05.2023
- Company Overview: Private Sector
- Utilized SEO techniques to optimize content for search engine rankings
- Drafted newsletters in collaboration with Audience and Stocks teams to develop content on web and email platforms
- Collaborated with the audience team to write newsletters, blogs, and social media copy
- Edited and reviewed content for grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Conducted editorial meetings with staff members to collaborate and review proposed publication suggestions.
Enterprise Reporter
Forbes
06.2022 - 08.2022
- Company Overview: Private Sector
- Fact-checked for Forbes 30 Under 30 print magazine, and wrote daily stories on startups and businesses
- Wrote a cover story with 80 thousand views on the children of billionaires
- Wrote breaking news and streamlined explainer stories
- Private Sector
Capitol Hill and Global Affairs Intern
ABC News
08.2019 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Private Sector
- Tracked and researched policy developments on Capitol Hill, White House, and Pentagon
- Drafted research briefs, wrote scripts for broadcast anchors, and assisted with breaking news in global affairs
Pathways Student Intern
Drug Enforcement Administration
05.2016 - 08.2018
- Company Overview: Federal
- Assisted in organizing and verifying drug distribution licenses for doctors offices and hospitals
- Organized onboarding documents, administrative filings, and scheduled meetings for Human Resources division
Education
M.S. -
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
12.2022
B.A. - Global Affairs
George Mason University
12.2020
Skills
- Project management
- Articulate communication skills
- Research skills
- Copywriting and editing
- Fact-checking
- Multitasking and organization
Websites
International Experience
- Study abroad, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Lima, Peru, 08/23, Developed fluency in language skills through immersive experiences focusing on local traditions and societal issues., Acted as translator for the student group, studied Andean indigenous culture, and enhanced language proficiency.
- Exchange Student/Communications Assistant, George C. Marshall Exchange Program, Vienna, Austria, 10/18, Developed Austrian cultural education, German language skills and networking opportunities., Prepared administrative materials, including onboarding documents, and proof of citizenship paperwork.
Accomplishments
Awarded National Science, Health and Environment Reporting Fellowship (2024)
• Received professional development resources, including workshops, database access, and fact-checking training
• Received specialized training in science, health, and environmental reporting to enhance expertise and skills
Global Politics Fellow, George Mason University College of Humanities and Social Sciences
•Completed program with honors in specialized focused coursework on international law, human rights, and global democracy.
Affiliations
- National Science, Health and Environment Reporting Fellowships (SHERF)
- National Association of Healthcare Journalists (AHCJ)
- National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
- Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ)
- National Association of Science Writers (NASW)
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Full Professional
German
Professional Working
Timeline
U.S. Story Reach Reporting Fellow
Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting
05.2024 - Current
Health and Environment Reporter
Capital B Gary
10.2023 - Current
Communications Associate
Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Center
09.2022 - 05.2023
Apple News Editorial Fellow
Apple Inc.
08.2022 - 05.2023
Enterprise Reporter
Forbes
06.2022 - 08.2022
Fact-Checker/Research Assistant
Vann Newkirk
03.2022 - 09.2023
Program Assistant
Internews' Earth Journalism Network
01.2021 - 08.2021
Capitol Hill and Global Affairs Intern
ABC News
08.2019 - 01.2020
Pathways Student Intern
Drug Enforcement Administration
05.2016 - 08.2018
B.A. - Global Affairs
George Mason University
M.S. -
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism
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