

“I love that we are able to connect and engage with the community in a way that no other news organizations can,” says Dwayne Burtin, deputy editor for digital strategy and a 2020 Marquette graduate. (Photo by Sue Vliet)
Name: Dwayne “Wayno” Burtin
What I do at NNS: I assist NNS staff on producing and publishing content and with technical support. I help maintain our digital presence on the web and in social media. I lead on community fundraising efforts and handle much of the brand identity and marketing for NNS.
How long I’ve worked here: I’ve been with NNS since its launch in 2011.
Why I love NNS: I love that we are able to connect and engage with the community in a way that no other news organizations can. More than 80% of our staff are from the communities we report on, so our understanding and ability to report on the things that matter to the community in the most accurate way is unparalleled.
What are you most proud of? I’m proud of our growth. We entered the picture at a difficult time for newsrooms across the country. They were already shrinking, and the media in general came under attack on the basis of “fake news” and increased scrutiny and distrust from the public. We’ve maintained, we’ve grown and gotten stronger in so many ways, and throughout our journey we’ve stayed true to our mission. We focus on disenfranchised communities and people, and we amplify those stories to create impact within those communities. One of those stories: ‘Hidden in plain sight? Black female activists feel left out of BLM movement.’
How to help
Make it your business to keep NNS in business by donating. Your money pays for the dedicated staff of reporters and editors who work hard to connect you to our communities.
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