Luke (he/him) began as a writer and photographer covering college sports in Oakland and is now managing editor at The Citizen. He balances mentoring students at the college paper and a full-time class schedule. He writes about the pandemic, the Peralta school district happenings, the Oakland community and some sports from time to time. Luke is a journalism major who has spent most of his life in the San Francisco Bay Area and cannot wait to get back to doing in-person interviews and investigations when the pandemic is over. His passions are art, activism, writing and speaking up against injustice.

Zakirah is a writer and poet originally from Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently a communications major at Laney Community College and is passionate about writing and cultivating social change for people of indigenous and African American diaspora as well as other people of color. She worked as a student journalist with VOX ATL, Atlanta’s home for uncensored teen publishing and media, and currently writes for The Citizen. She is a proud Black Muslim woman with plans to travel the world telling stories as an investigative journalist.

Ryan is a journalism student at Laney Community College where he is the current managing editor for the Peralta college district’s publication The Citizen. Born and raised in Oakland, California, Ryan values the diverse culture of his city and has dedicated over 10 years to serving the homeless and less fortunate of his community. His passion to serve others has led to his journalism pursuits. He views journalism as a space for truth and advocacy. Ryan has a background in poetry and screenwriting and enjoys incorporating those writing styles into his work. He has been nicknamed the “Profile Whisperer” in The Citizen newsroom for his art of writing feature stories.

Veronica is a journalism major at Laney Community College where she is a staff writer and feature editor for The Citizen. She is a new mother to a bouncing baby girl, full time student, community activist and builder, and aspiring foreign correspondent. As a first generation American with Austrian descent, she is in the midst of acquiring dual citizenship. Her hope is to broaden her scope, responsibility and impact globally.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Noor is an 18-year-old political science major studying at Pasadena City College. Her love for law and drive to reform the American justice system has inspired her to strive toward one day becoming a Supreme Court judge. She’s also interested in writing and journalism. She holds a position as a student ambassador at her college, is an active member of her speech and debate team, and most importantly, a proud Palestinian Muslim woman. Noor speaks Arabic.

Menel is a journalist and filmmaker from Tunisia and currently a student at Laney studying multimedia. She is passionate about social change through storytelling. She started her career as a reporter for Tunisian Tv and radio channels. She wrote and shot a short movie The Stranger about violence against children. Menel speaks Arabic and French.

Kasper is studying communication and journalism at Laney College where he is a staff writer and copy editor for the college district’s newspaper The Citizen. Based in Oakland, California and originally from neighboring Berkeley, Kasper is interested in covering stories about gentrification, marginalized communities and the environment. Kasper is of Polish and Persian descent, speaking fluent Polish as well as some Farsi.