By Damon Sayles
APSE Diversity Fellow, Class of 2023
The 12th class of the Associated Press Sports Editors Diversity Fellowship is in full swing and recently completed in-person contest judging at the APSE Winter Conference in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The seven-month course study acts as a training program for future leadership roles in sports journalism.
The Fellows first met as a group and took part in a training session hosted by past APSE president Michael Anastasi in January in Nashville, Tenn. This summer, they will participate in meetings and then graduate from the program at the APSE Summer Conference in June in Charlotte, N.C.
The Fellows — Mallory Merda, James Jackson, Lauren Campbell, Lauren Jennings, Callie Lawson-Freeman and Wilton Jackson — share their experiences of the past few months in a roundtable discussion.
Meet the Fellows: https://apsefoundation.org/2023/11/28/12th-class-apse-diversity-fellows/
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Before we go any further, what did you think of your in-person judging experience at APSE Winter Conference last month in Florida? What was it like for you personally?
J. Jackson: My experience granted such invaluable perspective. The pace of reading, analyzing and assessing pieces was a positive challenge because it mirrored how newsrooms typically handle publishing on a given day. I enjoyed meeting so many different editors and newsroom veterans who helped me with asking questions and assessing different processes to ensure creative projects are properly recognized. While being an editor has its own structure, in-person judging further helped me appreciate the different ways to do it.
Campbell: It’s hard to prepare for what you don’t know, but we were told it would be a lot of reading — and it was, but in a good way. We read some of the best work in the country, and with that came inspiration for ways we can approach stories of our own and bring ideas back to our own newsroom. It was also great to see how other outlets cover important topics, whether locally or nationally. I loved meeting so many people and connecting with others I hadn’t seen in years. It was an experience I’m grateful for, and I’m already looking forward to next year.
Lawson-Freeman: I felt like I learned something from each piece of content I read, watched and listened to. It was even better that I was surrounded by so many accomplished sports editors who openly shared their perspectives. On a more personal note, it was my first time in Florida, and I felt so blessed to be there.
W. Jackson: I consider myself a pretty good writer with tons of room to grow in my craft, but what better way to extend your repertoire for future story ideas and to enhance your mind about storytelling (i.e., headline ideas, high-quality ledes,) than reading some of the best stories crafted and produced by some of the best writers in the country. Getting the opportunity to infiltrate the journalistic mind of editors with decades of experience in the business during the judging process is truly a gem for a writer who is constantly seeking ways to grow in his craft. Overall, I would not change anything about my first judging experience.
Merda: I had known about winter judging for a while being a part of APSE for many years, but I had never personally participated. After finally getting a chance to participate, I would say the judging was both enjoyable at times and a little slow at times.
Jennings: Judging in Florida was a tough-but-fun experience. There is a lot of reading and note taking involved, but the contest is a good reminder of how many great journalists are out there. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to find new story ideas.
What was your initial reaction/thoughts when you found out you were chosen for the fellowship?
Jennings: When I received the phone call letting me know that I was chosen, I was surprised, excited and incredibly grateful. I was lucky to have my partner next to me when I received the news, so we were able to celebrate immediately.
J. Jackson: I was honestly very excited and grateful. It felt like a full-circle moment from prior experiences adding up to help move my career forward.
Campbell: My initial reaction was excitement and shock. This was my first year applying, and I had no idea what to expect.
W. Jackson: I received a phone call from a number with a random south Florida area code. It was Jorge Rojas. I was preparing for him to say I didn’t receive the fellowship. Two years prior, I applied for the fellowship, and Jorge called me and said that I was a finalist but the organization went with someone with a little more experience. I respected the decision, but I knew that I would apply again. When I answered the phone on the Sunday after Thanksgiving and found out that I would be one of six fellows for the 12th class, I was excited and smiling from ear to ear. It was like one of my biggest prayers was answered. It was a moment where I felt like this opportunity would help me take more ownership of the future of my career.
Lawson-Freeman: Initially, I was confused. Jorge Rojas called me, and his tone of voice seemed pretty ominous. Even once he delivered the good news, it seemed as if he was gearing up to tell me something bad. It turned out he just wanted to alert me that the dates for the introductory weekend were different than usual. Once he got that off his chest, we laughed about his delivery, and I was excited.
Merda: A little surprised, but thankful. Being out of journalism currently, I thought I wouldn’t be chosen for this round of Fellows.
How did you find out about the fellowship?
W. Jackson: Initially, I found out about the fellowship while working as a breaking news reporter at The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss. At the time, some of the sports writers had been nominated for APSE awards. As I scrolled through the APSE website, I found a link to the application for the fellowship. As years went by, I met other journalists around the country who completed the fellowship. I asked them about their experience and how it helped their journalism careers. I became intrigued with wanting to know more about the fellowship and ultimately having the opportunity to participate in it.
Lawson-Freeman: I spoke to Dan Spears on the phone last summer at the recommendation of a mentor. I met Dan at the Red Smith Award luncheon honoring the great Claire Smith in Las Vegas. He encouraged me to apply for the fellowship.
Merda: I knew about the fellowship for many years due to being a part of APSE for so long.
J. Jackson: I learned about the fellowship through a few colleagues at The Athletic who suggested I give the program a look and toss my hat into the ring.
Campbell: My boss told me about it and encouraged me to apply!
Jennings: I learned about APSE last year right before the 2023 Summer Conference and was encouraged to apply for the fellowship while I was there.
Of your class, who do you feel is the most interesting person? And why?
J. Jackson: I’ve honestly found each of my classmates interesting, because we each have had different talks to this point and are aligned with how invaluable the experience can be. Wilton Jackson and I relate a great deal with our experiences. It’s meant a lot to both relate and partner with someone who shares your ambitions.
Merda: The most interesting person to me personally — though everyone is equally as interesting — would be Lauren Jennings, just because we both shared experiences working for the same company. It was interesting learning about how she is navigating through her career now.
Jennings: I find everyone to be interesting, but I think Callie is the most interesting. She is smart, driven and brings a fresh perspective to every conversation. I believe she is going to find incredible success within the industry.
W. Jackson: I feel that James Jackson is the most interesting person. His personality is layered. He is very humble yet outspoken, and he’s knowledgeable about many things — some quirky — that include being a basketball connoisseur and a baker. Like most journalists, James has experienced his share of hurdles in navigating the media industry.
Campbell: This might be the easy way out, but everyone has their own interesting set of qualities. During our retreat in Nashville, we learned that James is a really good baker and was in baking school, Wilton is also a professor, Callie was a track athlete in college, and Lauren’s journey in journalism was very similar to mine. Mallory brings so much to the table and is a really big hockey fan like myself, and she has had a fun journey through journalism!
Lawson-Freeman: I think everyone is interesting. I’m equally curious about all of the fellows, and I’ve really loved getting to know them. Our class formed some strong bonds after we were stuck in Tennessee because of an extreme winter weather week.
What has been your most favorite experience as a fellow thus far?
Campbell: Hearing everyone’s path to get to where they are today and what they hope to accomplish. We all have similar roles in our companies, but how we got there is different. We spent a lot of time in Nashville getting to know each other, and to hear the roadblocks and triumphs we’ve all faced was really enlightening.
W. Jackson: The bonding experience in Nashville. Going to the Nashville Predators (NHL) game and the National Museum of African American Music, enjoying our daily media-related sessions downtown at The Tennessean and navigating the snow apocalypse are experiences I will never forget with my classmates. We came to Nashville as complete strangers. Now, having been to the Music City and Orlando, we have gotten closer as a group.
Lawson-Freeman: Definitely “Thai Night” in Florida! Great conversation and some of the best Thai tea I’ve ever had.
J. Jackson: My favorite experiences are usually our mixers, where we each have a chance to chop it up sans structure and simply get to know one another. Our industry is very personable with great overlap, so it’s always great to realize the different ways we’ve reached the same point.
Jennings: I really appreciated being able to speak with the Nashville Predators executive staff. It was inspiring seeing strong female leaders like that, and I enjoyed listening to everyone’s stories and how they found their way into sports.
Merda: My favorite experience has been reading through long features during judging. I’m always a sucker for stories of personal triumph.
As you continue your fellowship, what do you believe you can bring to the table professionally?
Merda: I have more than 10 years of experience within the writing, editing and media realms of sports. I feel my knowledge in all of these fields could be valuable.
J. Jackson: Professionally, I do my best to be collaborative and provide big-picture thinking to any team I join. I’ll keep doing my best to bridge gaps and accommodate curiosities to flesh out storytelling. It’s been my approach for the duration of my career and across many platforms.
Campbell: Teamwork, organization and the ability to multitask and prioritize stories and projects. I have a lot of experience not just in writing, but also the multimedia side of journalism and production. I’m very enthusiastic and love to keep learning from my peers.
Lawson-Freeman: I have a unique perspective. Some of it has come from experience as a former collegiate athlete, which made me competitive, adaptable, team-oriented and hard-working. Those traits, among others, have carried into my career, and I think they’d give me an edge in any newsroom.
Jennings: I believe my reporting background allows me to bring a few things to the table. Although I am an editor for a group of sports reporters, I have reported on topics outside of sports, including education, news, crime, water and business. I also have managerial experience outside of the newsroom. I believe those experiences allow me to approach stories and interviews in ways others may not think of.
W. Jackson: I believe my ability to talk and interact with anyone is a strong trait. I feel I can make people comfortable trusting me when it comes to quality storytelling. I believe that my personality — one that includes being eager and inquisitive, but not overbearing — helps me establish a perceptive demeanor to do the required reporting needed for high-quality stories. No matter the platform — print, online, podcast, video — I feel that I have a versatile skill set that allows me to meet people where they are, all while keeping the core tenets of journalism at the forefront.
What do you want to get most out of this fellowship experience?
Merda: I would really like to expand my skills as both an editor and writer, while also continuing to grow my network and friendships within APSE.
J. Jackson: Being able to network with many industry veterans and mentors has been eye-opening, as it gives me a glimpse into how far I can go with support, experience and diligence.
Jennings: I hope to learn from the other fellows and APSE members.
Campbell: More confidence in my leadership abilities, as well as more ideas involving how to grow audiences and different ways to approach stories and features.
W. Jackson: The biggest parts I hope to take away are the opportunities to extend and generate a network with various sports editors and professionals, and build strong relationships with my classmates as we navigate the nuances of the industry as well as understand what quality reporting and exceptional writing looks like.
Lawson-Freeman: It’s always my goal to learn as much as I can about this industry. I’m hoping to find more avenues to diversify my skills, and I also hope to keep meeting people and learning about their experiences.