Back in 2010, I wasn’t just struggling to find work in journalism, I couldn’t find a full-time job, period. I was renting a room from a friend, surviving off what little money I had saved and what I was making writing a column here and there for El Conquistador Latino Newspaper.
My dream of being a reporter was fading when my dream job appeared. The Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service, a yet-to-be launched media source, was looking for a reporter to cover Clarke Square, the neighborhood I still live in.
Milwaukee NNS was a new project of Marquette University and the Zilber Family Foundation. It was created to cover underrepresented communities and show a balanced and more accurate picture of Milwaukee and its residents. I was hired and my NNS journey began.
My journey
During my 15 years at NNS I’ve experienced many personal changes. I became a father. My family has grown since then. I completed graduate school. I got engaged. I’ve covered education, the opioid epidemic, the police department, city, county and state government, and the criminal justice system.
I wrote hundreds of stories and spoke with thousands of people. Along the way, I’ve met countless individuals and organizations making a difference: champions in our community.
In July 2024, I finally joined NNS full time, becoming its gun violence solutions reporter. It was a role I relished as someone who has been impacted on multiple levels by violence.
The role was challenging but fortified my love for being a reporter. To be honest, I never viewed myself as being anything other than a reporter. But something changed in recent months.
New horizons
I got a chance to lead. Not just by example, but by being placed at the helm of the newsroom as our executive director was away. The experience was eye-opening to say the least. It helped me become more confident in my ability to edit and help craft a story and in my skills as a leader.
But most importantly, it helped me see the joy in working alongside reporters to help them hone their skills as they tell the stories about our communities and residents. Seeing a story published that I edited with a reporter was as rewarding as writing my own.
When the opportunity came to include myself in a national search for NNS’ next managing editor, I took the plunge. Weeks later, the news came. I was chosen to help lead NNS into the future.
I wholeheartedly believe in the mission of NNS. I know the passion of our reporters. I love the city of Milwaukee and its residents. I take on this mission with great pride and great responsibility to you, our readers, our reporters and the community as a whole.
I thank the village that supported me along the way. Those who believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. I’m happy I never gave up. I’m happy I chose NNS and that NNS chose me. Now it’s time to keep us moving forward! Adelante!
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