Will Wright

Current

• Intern - "Eight Forty-Eight" at Chicago Public Radio

Past

• Free-lance reporter and producer at KFAI radio 90.3 FM/Mpls, 106.7 FM/St. Paul
• Manager and Editor at University of Minnesota
• Research Assistant at University of Minnesota

• Intern - "Tell Me More" at National Public Radio

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Education

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
• washburn

Recommended

2 people have recommended Will

Connections

43 connections

Industry

Media Production

Websites

• My Website

Will Wright’s Summary

From 2007 I have filed several feature stories with Twin Cities' KFAI Fresh Air radio.

From September to December of 2007 I interned at National Public Radio's "Tell Me More" program. While I was there, reported a story for Fall 2007 "Intern Edition." It was a story called "Black Republicans fight for their Political Voice."

I have written for The Christian Science Monitor; this column was used by the University of Maryland at College Park as suggested reading. I've written for the Whispers of Inspiration: Spiritual Inspiration anthology. I have also written locally.

From summer of 2001 through summer 2007, I created, produced and hosted several one-hour conversations, called "On Topic," on Minneapolis' KFAI Fresh Air Radio 90.3 FM.

Will Wright’s Specialties:

I love public radio. I have filed several feature stories for public radio or print. These lay at the crossroads of progressive politics, current events and "race."

The story is my focus. I want to find fascinating, distinctive and compelling stories, anecdotes and facts to build a sound narrative that is in the listeners' interest. I try to find what's special and appealing.

Will Wright’s Experience

• Intern - "Eight Forty-Eight"

  Chicago Public Radio

  (Non-Profit; Broadcast Media industry)

  June 2009 — Present (2 months)

  Helped to write web copy and to produce segments.

• Free-lance reporter and producer

  KFAI radio 90.3 FM/Mpls, 106.7 FM/St. Paul

  (Public Company; NSIT; Information Technology and Services industry)

  January 2008 — May 2009 (1 year 5 months)

  Filed many feature stories, including one on the dedication of Gordon Parks High School, personalizing the story through the hardships of a graduating senior. Her experience typified chances given to at-risk students. Another story shed light on non-Muslims reflecting on their participation in Ramadan fasting. Still another debunked myths about the differences between the lives of the blind and those of sighted.

• Manager and Editor

  University of Minnesota

  (Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)

  September 2008 — December 2008 (4 months)

  Managed the production and editorial aspects of teaching teens to make public radio stories.

• Research Assistant

  University of Minnesota

  (Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; Higher Education industry)

  May 2008 — August 2008 (4 months)

  Researched and designed a pilot project, with University of Minnesota journalism professor, Catherine R. Squires, that would introduce at-risk high school students to public radio storytelling.
  
  Researched methods and best ways to train high school students to report and produce basic public radio stories. Designed lessons plans and field manuals for production software and hardware. We also wanted to motivate them to pursue careers in journalism or mass communications at the University of Minnesota.

• Intern - "Tell Me More"

  National Public Radio

  (Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Broadcast Media industry)

  September 2007 — December 2007 (4 months)

  Researched potential story topics and vetted story ideas. Pitched stories, pre-interviewed guests and ran scripts. Booked guests and studio time. Co-wrote segment scripts. Co-wrote both basic and longer feature website summaries for stories and performance chats. One of them was showcased in premiere of NPR’s new music website. Edited several conversations for air.
  
  • Brought conversations from pitch, through pre-interview, booking and script writing to studio including one about filmmaker Charles Burnett.
  • Reported a story about African-American Republicans for a one-hour radio show, Intern Edition.
  • Photographed homeless veterans for a brief first person story serial on Veterans’ Day.

Will Wright’s Education

• University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

  2007 — 2008

• washburn

  1986 — 1990

Additional Information

Will Wright’s Websites:

• My Website

Will Wright’s Interests:

Arts & Culture public radio storyteller. I often emphasize the works of people of color. This is often at the cross roads of politics and "race."

Will Wright’s Groups:

Society of Professional Journalists, National Association of Black Journalists, PRISM: the multicultural journalism student association at the University of Minnesota's School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

•    Public Radio
•    Society of Professional Journalists
•    Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)

Will Wright’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• career opportunities
• consulting offers
• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch