ThreeSixty Multimedia and Storytelling Institute shapes young journalists and introduces them into the world of media. Held at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, the camp stretches over three weeks. Each day was filled with priceless information and experiences. Our group’s eagerness to learn created valuable bonds with professional journalists.
Each week focused on different aspects of journalism and storytelling. The first week challenged our ethics and how our mind works. Near the end of the day, our group would have ethics examinations and this sparked many debates on what is “right” and what is “wrong.” The ethics exams pushed us to think and expand our minds.
The entire institute teaches valuable lessons on equality, and how to be culturally sensitive to minorities.
The first week we were assigned to our story, which was divided into three sections: written, multimedia and social media. We were additionally assigned to a news team of three people with specific roles. Our assignment was to cover the African American Babies Coalition (AABC), and our news team was named LAD: Luke Azoulay Harron was our writer, Alyiah Baker was our producer and I (Daphne) was the multimedia reporter. The ThreeSixty team was fully supportive in giving our group full control over how to convey our story while also mentoring us into improving and strengthening each section.
The second week of camp was technical week, which required heavy lifting. Every individual had to contribute to building the story. I interviewed the director of AABC, and ThreeSixty provided the equipment needed to conduct the interview successfully. I was starstruck being surrounded by real reporters, with a microphone clipped to my shirt, while lights shone on me for the cameras to capture the interview. The experience filled me with inspiration and desire to pursue journalism.
The camp connected us with all kinds of journalists and media professionals. From NPR to the New York Times, we were able to talk and learn from these individuals.
We learned from each other; our group rapidly formed friendships that strengthened our work.
I talked with McCall Vickers, who is a rising senior at DeLaSalle High School and who attended her first year at ThreeSixty. McCall heard about the program through a friend who expressed the opportunities and boasted about the program, which compelled her to join. McCall values the connections she obtained from the program as well. “Our relationships will last well beyond the three weeks,” she said. She is adamant about her passion for the program and admiration for the opportunities that ThreeSixty provided.
“The instructors and industry coaches have provided mentorship, guidance, and
real-world insights that have helped develop my skills.”
I worked alongside McCall and her passion and dedication inspires me. I consider her a friend, and she is a perfect example of the future of journalism. The future is bright.
Editor’s note: Northeaster intern Daphne
Kleinschmit attended ThreeSixty Journalism at St. Thomas University this summer. ThreeSixty is a “career academy” for budding journalists. To see her story on the African American
Babies Coalition, see https://threesixty.stthomas.edu/student-video-radio/multimedia-storytelling-institute/.
Daphne Kleinschmit interviews Sameerah Bilal-Roby, director of the African American Babies Coalition, as part of her ThreeSixty Journalism project. (ThreeSixty Journalism)