Public media storyteller
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
- Current
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- reporter & producer at KFAI Fresh Air radio
- Past
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- Intern - "Eight Forty-Eight" at Chicago Public Radio
- Intern at Chicago Public Radio
- Free-lance reporter and producer at KFAI radio 90.3 FM/Mpls, 106.7 FM/St. Paul
- member at National Association of Black Journalists
- Manager and Editor at University of Minnesota
- Research Assistant at University of Minnesota
- Intern - "Tell Me More" at National Public Radio
- Intern at National Public Radio
- Education
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- University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
- washburn
- University of Minnesota
- Recommended
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2 people have recommended Will - Connections
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- Industry
- Media Production
- Websites
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
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reporter & producer
KFAI Fresh Air radio
(Media Production industry)
January 2008 — Present (1 year 11 months)
Filed 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.
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Intern - "Eight Forty-Eight"
Chicago Public Radio
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Broadcast Media industry)
June 2009 — August 2009 (3 months)
Produced many hard feature segments, several from my story pitches. In the process of producing taped segments, learned how to do basic engineering, studio production, and book ISDNs. Produced two host-reporter pieces. Was a key producer for an off-site round table segment. Learned to edit digital audio on Sony Vegas and edited several segments for air.
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Intern
Chicago Public Radio
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Broadcast Media industry)
June 2009 — August 2009 (3 months)
Eight Forty-Eight program: Produced many hard feature segments, several from my story pitches. In the process of producing taped segments, learned how to do basic engineering and studio production. Produced two host-reporter pieces. Was a key producer for an off-site round table segment. Edited several segments for air.
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Free-lance reporter and producer
KFAI radio 90.3 FM/Mpls, 106.7 FM/St. Paul
(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.
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member
National Association of Black Journalists
(Media Production industry)
2006 — 2009 (3 years )
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Manager and Editor
University of Minnesota
(Educational Institution; 10,001 or more employees; Higher Education industry)
September 2008 — December 2008 (4 months)
Managed the production and editorial aspects of teaching teens to make public radio stories.
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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. -
Intern
National Public Radio
(Non-Profit; 501-1000 employees; Broadcast Media industry)
September 2007 — December 2007 (4 months)
Pitched stories, pre-interviewed guests and ran scripts. Booked guests and studio time. Co-wrote segment scripts. Co-wrote both basic and feature website summaries for stories and performance chats.
Will Wright’s Education
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University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
2007 — 2008
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washburn
1986 — 1990
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University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Arts , communication studies
Additional Information
Will Wright’s Websites:
Will Wright’s Interests:
Public affairs storyteller. The stories often lie at the crossroads of progressive politics, the media arts, and ethnicity.
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.
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NABJ (National Association of Black Journalists) -
Public Radio -
Society of Professional Journalists -
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) -
Asian American Student Broadcast Journalists (AASBJ)
Will Wright’s Honors:
Fall 2008 Third Coast International Audio Festival minority scholar. 2009 Minnesota SPJ scholarship.
Will Wright’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
