Discussion panel pictured left to right, Bryan Stalder, Joe Arce, Eric L. Wesson Sr., Eleanor Nash, Wendy Thompson, & Glenn North. Photo by Collin Cornelison

Collin Cornelison
Editorial Intern

 Community news outlet The Northeast News hosted a Storyteller’s Workshop this past Saturday, June 20, to bridge the gap between Northeast News and the community it serves by empowering local voices to take part in the journalistic process. 

 Attendees arrived at Northeast News at 9 a.m. for coffee and snacks from Core Coffee before heading next door to the Northeast Chamber of Commerce at 2657 Independence Blvd., where they got to hear from some of Kansas City’s most prominent writers and journalists. 

 Northeast News’ Bryan Stalder led a panel discussion featuring Eric L. Wesson Sr. of Next Page KC, Joe Arce of KC Hispanic News, Eleanor Nash of the Kansas City Star, Poet and Activist Glenn North, and Theatre Artist Wendy Thompson. Panelists offered advice based on their careers in media, and shared their thoughts on a number of topics, ranging from the importance of community papers to AI’s role in journalism. 

 Following the panel discussion, Chad Stebbins, Executive Director of the Missouri Press Association (MPA) spoke about the country’s growing number of “news deserts,” or communities that are no longer covered by daily or nondaily newspapers. Stebbins added that as news rooms continue to downsize staff, the need for community contributors has become increasingly important. 

 “A town without a paper is less of a town,” Stebbins said, adding that when a town loses its paper, it often loses access to its archives, and documented history. 

 Northeast News Managing Editor Dorri Partain then led attendees in an interactive workshop where they learned journalism basics and pitched story ideas of their own. 

 Saturday’s event ended at noon with chai tea and sambusas catered by Yasmeen Cafe.

 “I loved this workshop,” said Sarah Sommerkamp, Northeast resident and event participant. “It was very useful to hear from storytellers and understand the power of journalism.”

Workshop attendees share their story ideas. Photo by Collin Cornelison

 This Storytellers Workshop was the first of three events that Northeast News will host this summer aimed at fostering storytelling, strengthening community ties and bridging the employment gap. In May, Historic Northeast Media received $37,000 from the Rooted For Change Grant, which was created by the Community Capital Fund(CCF). This grant was created to support organizations working to advance economic mobility in historically underserved communities in the Kansas City metro. 

 Northeast News will host a “Future Workforce Job Fair,” on Saturday, July 18, aimed at connecting students and job seekers with local employers and educational partners, followed by a “Trades & Contractor Expo,” on Saturday, August 15.