Hi. I'm Mayowa.
Current gig: I'm the Special Projects Reporter/Producer at NPR member station KNKX where I cover cost-of-living and affordability issues in Western Washington and report and produce special projects, including podcasts.
Lastest awards: In 2023, I was recognized as a Rising Star in Public Media by Current. I was also selected as a 2023 Livingston Award finalist for Excellence in Local Reporting.
What else: In my free time, I enjoy live music, taking road trips, and watching fridge organization videos on TikTok.
Let's talk: I'm currently accepting work as a freelance audio producer, researcher, editor, and writer. Use the contact form to reach out for help with your next project. Scroll down to see examples of my work. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you!
My most recent project is an award-winning narrative podcast about the 2020 police killing of Manny Ellis in my hometown.
The unfortunate truth is stories about unarmed Black men killed by police are common, but our story differentiated itself by not leaning into the second-by-second details of what happened the night Ellis was killed. Instead, we used the power of investigative journalism and narrative storytelling to depict how two versions of America and decades of history collided on a dark street corner in the middle of the night.
This story isn't just about police violence. It's a story about race, safety, love, community, and the meaning of home.
The podcast won two Regional Murrow awards, a national Murrow award, and a First Place award from the Public Media Journalists Association. It was also selected as one of three finalists for a Scripps Howard Award. It was also mentioned as one of Vulture’s Best Podcasts of 2022.
Subscribe to the entire series here. Find all of our coverage of Ellis' death and the trial of the three officers involved here.
Listen to the first episode below.
MORE REPORTING
I also work as a freelance reporter and producer. I've contributed stories to NPR, America Amplified, and others. Here are some of my favorite pieces.
MORE STUFF :)
I also work as a freelance writer and audio storyteller.
This was my first foray into audio storytelling back in 2017. The project captures oral histories with current and former residents of Seattle's historically Black Central District (CD) neighborhood.
I can't believe I'm sharing my earliest work, but it still means a lot to me. This is how I learned to conduct interviews and cut tape. This is the project that made me fall in love with audio storytelling. It remains near and dear to my heart and reminds me why I do the work that I do. And it's a project I am still connected to today.
Here are some of my favorite episodes.
Black in Alaska (BlAK) project
In 2023, I completed over 40 profiles of Black Alaskans.
BlAK is a multimedia project supported by the Rasmuson Foundation and produced by Akela Space that includes interviews, photos, and short videos of Alaskans who are Black. Participants are from all over the state and represent diverse backgrounds in age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Through storytelling, this project aims to dismantle stereotypes and create a deeper connection between the Black community and fellow Alaskans.
Here are some of my favorite profiles.