Ohio Women 2019 Edition
Alumni & Friends Magazine
Journalism for good
From a young age, Caitlin Hunt loved to do three things: read, write, and talk to people. So, it came as no surprise when the 51社区 junior chose to pursue a career in journalism.
By Jayne Yerrick, BSJ '22 | November 20, 2019
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Caitlin Hunt | Photo by Mack Wagner, BSVC 鈥21
From a young age, Caitlin Hunt loved to do three things: read, write, and talk to people. So, it came as no surprise when the 51社区 junior chose to pursue a career in journalism.
Hunt, a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, was surprised to learn, though, just how severe the lack of Native American representation in the news really is.
Today, she鈥檚 determined to be part of what she sees as the solution.
鈥淚 think we should use the media to really tell more Native American stories and break down those stereotypes and give them coverage that they deserve on a national level,鈥 she says.
Hunt鈥檚 not alone, which she discovered this year after being named one of just ten fellows of the (NAJA), a national organization dedicated to improving Native American representation in mainstream media.
The first NAJA Fellow at OHIO, Hunt landed a summer internship at the 鈥淭oday Show鈥 and received a $10,000 scholarship鈥攂oth opportunities made possible by her involvement with NAJA.
Additionally, Hunt attended this fall鈥檚 National Native Media Conference, which is designed to give the NAJA Fellows a crash course in the fast-paced world of journalism.
鈥淲ith how the conference is set up, we really are diving into the journalism field. It鈥檚 very much a newsroom setting,鈥 Hunt says. 鈥淚 just really realized, 鈥極kay, this is where I鈥檓 meant to be. I want to be a journalist. This is exactly what I want to do.鈥欌
It was Hunt鈥檚 academic advisor, Associate Professor of Journalism Victoria LaPoe, who pushed her to pursue the NAJA Fellowship, unlocking this cascade of opportunities to grow outside the classroom.
Hunt and LaPoe share more than a passion for journalism, though. They also share their indigenous heritage.
鈥淚 feel really blessed to have been connected with her because she鈥檚 just been so supportive, especially in this past year,鈥 Hunt says of LaPoe, who is Cherokee. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just great to have a support system here, especially someone who is also Native American, who is also involved in Native American media.鈥
As a lifetime member and a former board member, vice president and education chair of NAJA, LaPoe is deeply connected with the organization and its mission. But for LaPoe, NAJA means even more than that.
鈥淲hen I was on the board, several members became like family,鈥 she says. 鈥淲e worked like a newsroom addressing ethical issues and fundraising for the good of Indigenous journalism. Working with those who have the same passion as you doesn鈥檛 feel like work, but a mission.鈥
That sense of belonging is now being passed down to Hunt, who says she, too, discovered a new 鈥渇amily鈥 in NAJA.
鈥淚 felt really comfortable interacting and talking with them because they understood a lot of the issues I am passionate about regarding Native American and racial relations that a lot of my friends don鈥檛 necessarily understand or feel comfortable talking about,鈥 Hunt says. 鈥淪o, it was just really cool to connect and bond and make those connections with those people.鈥
