New York City, where I began reporting, is in many ways a deeply segregated city. It is also one of the most diverse, outspoken and dynamic cities in the country, a hotbed of social justice movements, protest, community engagement and grassroots activism. It has been a true honor to cover the work of equity and social justice not just in New York but cities around the country. Most of this work has been published with Next City, though not all.
I have a deep connection to, an appreciation of, the San Quentin News, the most sophisticated prison newsroom in the country. I have both covered the work of the newsroom and work closely with the incarcerated journalists there.
Finally, it’s an increasing responsibility for journalists to cover the climate crisis with the severity and urgency it deserves. You can see my climate reporting below.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Stopping One Incinerator Wasn’t Enough for Baltimore Students, Next City
‘Raise the Age’ Vote Raises Hopes of Homeless Youth, Village Voice
How the Dreamers Make Their Mark on Brooklyn, The Bridge
Why the Scale Figures in Renderings Need to Be More Diverse, Curbed
In ‘Housing Works History,’ Exploring the Intersection Between Activism and Real Estate, Curbed
In New York, Chinatown’s Cultural Power Steps Out of the Basements and Into the Mainstream, Next City
CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ABOLITION
San Quentin’s Breakthrough Prison Newsroom, Politico Magazine
What Would ‘No New Jails’ Actually Look Like? Gothamist
Incarcerated Men Write the Stories of Wall City, Next City
The Study Group Bringing bell hooks into Prisons, Next City
How Prison Abolitionists Are Meeting the Moment, the Appeal
The Minneapolis Group Calling for Police Abolition Since 2016, Next City
Cops and Community Organizers Are Reimagining Atlanta’s Jail, Reasons to be Cheerful
Can This Prison Museum Tell the Full Story of Mass Incarceration?, Next City
Once a Bus That Transported Incarcerated People Around Rikers, Now a Gorgeous Work of Community Art, Next City
CLIMATE
NYC’s Coastline Could be Underwater by 2100. Why are We Still Building There?, Curbed
The Sinking Class: New Yorkers Left to Fight the Climate Crisis, the Guardian
NYC Building Prepare to Drastically Reduce Emissions to Avoid Penalties, New York Post
What Alabama Can Teach You About Storm Resilience, Next City
People Power Stopping Flooding in New Orleans, Next City
Even FEMA Says to Stop Relying on FEMA. What Now?, Bright Magazine
Why Build it Back Failed, Curbed New York
Emily Nonko writes 