Staff

Amethyst J. Davis is responsible for spearheading the growth and development of the HWH, including outlining the editorial trajectory and content. She also produces “The Renaissance Letter,” our biweekly email newsletter, edits content, and fact-checks stories prior to publication. Amethyst was an administrator at New York University before launching her journalism career. She was previously a member of the Sounding Board, the community advisory board for Chicago Public Media, which includes WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Amethyst is a 2023 Leader of a New Chicago award recipient, as recognized by the Field Foundation and MacArthur Foundation. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.

In 2022, Amethyst was a Casey Fellow with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Black News & Views. She is a sought after speaker on community journalism and has given talks at institutions like DePaul University and the University of Kansas. Amethyst is a regular guest on City Cast Chicago.

She was invited by Harvard University to submit a 2023 and 2024 Nieman Lab prediction. Under her leadership, the HWH has become one of the nation’s most-watched hyperlocal newsrooms. The HWH has received national coverage in publications like Poynter, Harvard University’s Nieman Lab, the National Press Journalism Club Institute, and Editor & Publisher.

A Harvey native, Amethyst is a Brooks Middle School (’11) and Thornton Township High School alum (‘15) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NYU (BA’19). She is an alumna of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program at the University of Chicago.

Maureen Dunne is a civic reporter with the Harvey World Herald. She holds a  journalism degree from DePaul University (’22).

Kristin McKee is a civic editor for the Harvey World Herald. She also produces arts and culture reporting. Kristin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from Roosevelt University (BA’21). During her studies, Kristin was an editor for Roosevelt University’s student newspaper, The Torch, where she managed their digital platforms and edited stories that covered campus news and events. She also interned at the Illinois Journalism Education Association where she managed their social media platforms and curated their e-newsletters.

Justin Osby is a skilled cinematographer, colorist, and editor with a Bachelor’s of Arts from Columbia College and a Part 107 licensed drone pilot. A Flossmoor native, he has honed his skills in multiple roles, earning credits on various projects, and has founded We Rule Media, a Chicago-based video production company. With a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of storytelling, Justin brings his expertise to clients seeking high-quality video production services, delivering exceptional results and making him a sought-after professional in the industry.

Amina Sergazina holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College Chicago. Her articles have been featured at The Columbia Chronicle, Austin Fit Magazine and the Chicago Reporter. She got into the journalism because she loved writing, but stayed because they want to amplify voices of the people who are not being heard in our society. Sergazina is passionate about local reporting and connecting with the community around her.

Mia Romo is a journalist, filmmaker, and a student at Governor State University (BA ‘28). Though young in age, she is highly skilled in all things media from pre-production to post. A Calumet City native, she is passionate about storytelling and showcasing the wonderful things Chicagoland has to offer. Currently, she works as a production assistant at her university’s Digital Learning and Media Design Department. Over the past year, she has founded a community film festival at Thornton Fractional High School District 215 and is a student ambassador for her university. Mia is ready to hit the ground running and continue her journey in media production and journalism!

Jaylah Armstrong, better known by her nickname Hollywood the Artist, is a 25-year-old singer, songwriter, musician, and community activist. The Harvey native, a proud product of 147th St. and Sibley Blvd., is an alumna of local schools: Riley Educational Center, the now closed Sandburg Elementary School, Gwendolyn Brooks Middle School, and Thornton Township High School.

Her musical journey began at Sandburg under the tutelage of renowned director Roosevelt Griffin, PhD. Jaylah played percussion in the Thornton marching band, while also a skilled guitarist and pianist. After graduation, she spent time in the South and West Coast refining her sound before returning home. She’s grounded in her faith.

For Jaylah, Harvey may look rough around the edges, but she’ll be the one to speak for the culture and say this: Harvey has so much beauty and essence than what meets the eye. Her family founded Dixmoor Community Church.

Margaret Gonzalez is a reporting intern for the Harvey World Herald. She grew up in the South
Suburbs and graduated from Thornton Township High School, which makes returning to report in
Harvey feel personal and full circle.

She is currently studying Journalism and Social Policy at Northwestern University, where she’s gaining
hands-on experience through campus media. While her passion lies in video journalism, she’s excited to
grow as a writer and explore new ways to tell impactful stories. Margaret cares deeply about stories that
explore how schools and young people shape a community. She sees journalism as a way to listen, learn,
and share what often goes unheard.

Olivia is a freelance fact-checker at the HWH. Olivia’s experience as an editor and fact-checker includes serving as a senior editor at South Side Weekly and as a team leader for City Bureau’s Civic Reporting Fellowship in 2021.

Janelle Bombalier (she/her) is an Afro-Latina, American woman born and raised in Miami, Florida, to a Cuban family. She graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, 2 minors, one in marketing, and another in Hospitality & Tourism, as well as a certificate in Religious Studies.

In her time off, Janelle enjoys traveling, photography, and visiting local food spots. She is also a tattoo artist specializing in permanent makeup and fine-line tattoos. Janelle has a history of covering journalistic stories on education, politics, entertainment, crime, social justice issues, and new trends. You can find some of her previous work featured on Sister2Sister Magazine and NewsOnyx Magazine.

Matt Chapman is a freelance investigative data reporter. A Waukegan native, he’s highly sought after in Chicago-area newsrooms for his sophisticated and rigorous data journalism work, largely regarding police oversight of the Chicago Police Department.

Chapman’s work has been featured in the Chicago Reporter, the Triibe, the Chicago Reader, and the South Side Weekly.

Nicole Jeanine Johnson is a writer, and tells Black stories at the intersection of politics, equity, education, and liberation. Relationships are her currency, and she cultivates and maintains them with ease, grace, and sincerity. Whether she is building a connection to get to the heart of a story, or building rapport with a donor to secure a mission driven investment, she reaches across all barriers, leading with human connection.

Nicole holds a Masters of Science in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters of Arts in Teaching from National Louis University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan. She is currently a graduate student at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism.

Matthew is a young native of Chicago’s South Side writing journalistically since high school. He’s deeply focused on community-based issues, looking to bridge the gap between the media and the people living in the various neighborhoods across and around Chicago. Having grown up in Beverly, he’s lived between the suburbs and the city, having journeyed from Lincoln Park to Harvey and Palos to Englewood and Bronzeville.

He loves Chicago to its bones with, all of its problems and every magical thing it has to offer. But Matthew would be remised to forget that he’s come from privilege and has lived a lucky life. Through this career and his skills as a writer,  he hopes to take down the privilege he has and pass it around like beer on the wall. Matthew’s here. He’s willing to listen, and most of all, to help to the best of his ability. Find his work in 14 East Magazine at DePaul University, where he’s working toward his bachelor’s degree in journalism.

Christopher Lockridge, also known as “Lock,” is a freelance photographer based in Calumet City. He’s a highly sought after multimedia maker versed in event, concert, and sports photography. His portfolio includes work done about Grammy nominated rapper Lil’ Durk, Future, Lil’ Yatchy, G Herbo, Clipse, Robert Glasper, and events such as the Hyde Park Summer Fest.

He’s currently the photographer for the Chicago Sky and production team member for Chicago’s TrueStar Media.

Isreal Wilson is a Chicago-based freelance photographer and production team member at TrueStar Media. He produces dope content, including event photography, videography, virtual reality, graphic design, and music production. In his spare time, the multi-hyphenate is a mixed martial arts student.