Youthcast Media Group

YMG founder & CEO Jayne O'Donnell and YMG intern Aabri Spear heard from guest speaker Lindsey Leake, MA², a reporter for Fortune Well last week at a lunch hosted by the Curley Company. Curley director Lucia (Gruber) Peth moderated the conversation on misinformation in journalism. Aabri, one of YMG's most prolific social media creators, had the opportunity to learn about how the continuous evolution of science and data requires early communication, and how healthcare trends for 2025 affect the navigation and presentation of data. She also learned more about the importance of sharing accurate information and data visualizations, something YMG is currently working on! Aabri has some other great new connections, including Curley Company’s Jennifer Curley, KayAnn P. Schoeneman and Jeannine Ginivan, Responsibility.org’s Leslie Kimball and SOMA Strategies’ Monica Sakala. How do you feel about misinformation in journalism? Let us know in the comments!

What did YOU accomplish this fall/winter? Journalism students at Bard High School Early College DC got paid to participate in Youthcast Media Group’s Canva social media and intro to reporting boot camps. Students used Canva to make social posts about topics including obesity, policing and traffic crashes. They also met and interviewed a wide variety of community-based experts about pedestrian and bike safety, along with distracted driving, and wrote news briefs that are being combined into feature stories that will be published in media outlets. Rick Birt Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) #Journalism #Students #SocialMedia #RoadSafety #DistracteDriving #Obesity #Policing #DCJournalism #StudentJournalism #BardHS #YMG

As we near the end of National Passenger Safety Week, we reflect on the power of the passenger. Our student reporters, interns, and mentor-editors have been busily reporting and writing about how young people can make a difference in U.S. roadway fatalities by speaking up and out! Reckless driving—whether due to distractions, speeding, alcohol, or drugs — remains a major issue that we can all make a dent in - from the passenger seat. The National Road Safety Foundation (NRSF) and We Save Lives launched the National Passenger Safety Campaign, partnering with 60 organizations to highlight the importance of passenger involvement in road safety. The campaign’s goal is to encourage passengers to take an active role in their own safety and speak up when they feel at risk due to unsafe driving behavior. Will you speak up today? To learn more about passenger empowerment, check out our recently published story in The Barbed Wire: https://lnkd.in/exkRP9xV And our national story on the National Passenger Safety Campaign’s site: https://lnkd.in/ezYha9jY #NationalPassengerSafetyWeek #RoadSafety #WeSaveLives #SafeDriving

Thank you for your support as always! Jonathan Adkins

Aabri Spear, a social media intern who is a sophomore at Morgan State University, talks about an often overlooked part of Dr. King’s fight against racial inequity. Aabri is also Miss MSU Poets! We remember Dr. King’s words in 1966 about the inequalities in healthcare. He called them “the most shocking and inhumane.” His words sparked important conversations about justice and fairness in healthcare. Today, we reflect on his legacy and the work that is being done to ensure equality for all.

APPLICATION ALERT for student journalists! Earn $250! Youthcast Media Group® is hosting a workshop on Unequal Access to Sports and Exercise for Teens, and What's Being Done to Address It for high school students– write a story, get published, and work with experienced journalists. Interested? Apply now: https://lnkd.in/eD-Ed7Kr #workshop #studentworkshop #sports #accesstosports #journalism #publishing #youthcastmediagroup #ymg

Please join us in welcoming Torine (Brooks) Creppy to the Youthcast Media Group Board! Torine brings an abundance of experience as the President of Safe Kids Worldwide, alongside serving the YWCA National Capital Area and St. John’s Community Services board. She also chairs the DEI Committee of the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization, and has made a lasting impact across numerous other organizations. Her leadership, passion for safety, and commitment to community make her an incredible addition to YMG. 

National Passenger Safety Week - conceived by the National Road Safety Foundation and We Save Lives - starts January 20 and our story on the importance of teen passenger empowerment is now live on The Barbed Wire! YMG student journalists Bethel Kifle, Cindy Tint, Yaneli Victoriano, and Jose Negrete worked with mentor-editor Cara Kelly to examine the growing problem of distracted driving among teens in Texas, a significant contributor to road fatalities. It also presents the efforts of young activists working to address the problem and promote road safety through encouraging young people to speak up when drivers are distracted. From raising awareness in high schools to spearheading peer-led safety programs, these students are proving that their voices matter. Read the full article today and join us in spreading the word about passenger empowerment. Article here: https://lnkd.in/exkRP9xV #NRSF #NationalRoadSafetyFoundation #WeSaveLives #TheBarbedWire #StudentJournalism #NationalPassengerSafetyWeek Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA)

Our latest article on Philly high school students advocating for higher standards in college readiness is LIVE on National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)’s Black News & Views! Thanks to the hard work of our YMG student reporters Zahiya Daniels, Eyitemi Odusola, Ericka Otero, Natalie Spina, and Kayla Pressly with the guidance of YMG mentor-editor Nichole Christian. The story sheds light on the challenges many students face, from a lack of college prep programs to overwhelming counselor-to-student ratios, and the need for more post-graduation options. Check out the full article to see how these students are demanding change—and why their fight matters to the future of education in Philly. Read here: https://lnkd.in/eaidNgWK #PhillyYouth #EducationMatters #CollegeReadiness #StudentVoices #HigherEducation #BlackNews #YMG

Our latest article, "Long-Acting Injection Helps Heal ‘Beautiful Mind’ of Husband with Schizophrenia," is now published on MindSite News. With contributions from Michelle Collins, a senior at Annandale High School, and mentorship from journalist Erik Brady, the article follows Gary’s journey with schizophrenia. Supported by his wife, Linda, and a dedicated mental health counselor, Gary navigates the complexities of his condition and the impact of a long-acting injection in his treatment. This project also involved video work by John Greco (formerly of Dateline NBC), contributions from Bard High School Early College grad Courtney Curtis, editing by our visuals manager Sophie B., and additional contributions from Allison Kraus. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eCyi6Eqq #Schizophrenia #MentalHealth #LongActingInjection #MentalHealthTreatment #YouthJournalism #MindsiteNews