Meet ONA Local is a new series introducing the volunteers who lead our ONA Local communities. ONA Local is at the heart of what we do, bringing networking and training to cities and college campuses around the world. Leaders have their fingers on the pulse of their journalism communities, convening important conversations and networking opportunities.
Cynthia DuBose, Marketing and Audience Engagement Manager at Cox Media Group’s Fans 1st Media, co-leads ONA Atlanta. Join the Meetup group.
What do you love about your work?
It changes daily — no day is ever the same.
Tell us about something you’ve worked on in the past year that you’re super proud of.
I covered Hurricane Katrina, as a reporter for Newsday. While the aftermath was devastating, I am proud that I brought a human face to the crisis that followed the storm.
What’s your passion project outside of journalism?
Mommyhood. I have two girls, ages 4 and 1 — again, no two days are the same.
Tell us what’s amazing about the digital journalism community in Atlanta.
This community is large and in charge! You can meet digital savants who work in all fields — religion, education, technology. In Atlanta, digital journalism doesn’t just mean media.
When did you first know you wanted to go into journalism?
When I sat down at my mother’s typewriter (yes, typewriter) and began making up stories. Years later I would live by the phrase “everybody has a story” — that’s why I love journalism. It’s a vehicle to tell those stories.
If you weren’t in journalism, what would you be doing instead?
Teaching high school English where I could watch young people fall in love with writing — my first love.
Tell us about something great you’ve read, watched or listened to lately.
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes (the audible version where she invokes her large personality) changed my life. It’s now my go-to gift for all my girlfriends’ birthdays and life events.