We are a proud group of WKUPJ faculty, staff and alumni and are always amazed by the dedication and talent of our students. Once again, WKUPJ has won the Hearst Intercollegiate Championship in Photojournalism and Multimedia. This is the 24th time WKUPJ has won in Photojournalism and this is our 7th year in a row that we have won Multimedia. So many people to thank… and since we are visual people, it might be easier to show than tell. Congratulations to all, and for a full rundown with links to their work, please visit http://www.hearstawards.org/competitions/2017-18/
Michael Blackshire started his journey to document victims of gun violence last semester in Louisville, Ky. What started as a series of portraits evolved over time as he came closer with the family’s of homicide victims and began recording their stories with audio then transitioning to video. As the project became bigger he brought together a team of WKUPJ students to help him bring his vision for the story together. Michael along with Fahad Alotaibi, Gabriel Scarlett, and Shaban Athuman attempt to tell the stories of people that often feel their stories aren’t being told.
To view the entire piece, visit https://michaeldblackshire.atavist.com/broken-branches
Rochelle Turner wraps her body around her only son’s Ricky Jones High School jacket. Ricky Jones was murdered April 2017 from gun violence at the age of 29-years-old. “At first I would look at other mothers who lost their sons and thing their sons were into something and mine wasn’t. I would think that maybe if my son was doing something wrong or died from a disease or committed suicide I would be able to find closure, but in any way I can’t bring my son back. Hew was murdered but his life wasn’t his own. He had five children who now have to live without a father in their life,” said Smith.
Judy Wilkins, Jasmine Wilkins, and Sherry Simmons, left to right, hold the graduation picture of Gregory Wilkins who was murdered at his home on November 26, 1996 at 1737 South 22nd Street, Louisville, KY. “I visit his grave once a week. I have been once a week for 21 years,” said his mother Judy Wilkins. “I once dreamed that he was reaching out to my hand and I almost reached his. I said baby why did they take you so soon. He told me my time had come.The last thing I heard him say is take care of Jasmine, and let Sherry know that I love her, and that I love you, my mother and my dad. Then he was gone.”
Craig Bland holds middle school and elementary school photos of his son Craig Bland Jr. and Toreze Bland who were both murdered in 2012 and 2015 from gun violence in Louisville. “After my first son was murdered the situation made me worried about loosing my youngest son. I thought it was only a matter of time until they shot my youngest one. The streets killed my sons. My son’s were good people they just were around the wrong people. I watched my wife Diana die from cancer in front of my eyes, my brother was murdered, my two nephews were murdered, and now I have no more sons, no more children. There used to be a lot of live in this house. That love is gone now.” said Bland.
Congratulations to our WKUPJ student Shaban Athuman, 2nd place, and graduate Nick Wagner, 3rd place finish in the annual Hearst Feature/News competition. Shaban wins $2,000 scholarship and Nick wins $1,500 scholarship from the Hearst Journalism Awards.
Dale Brumfield, of Doswell, Va, left, stands with Jack Payden-Travers, of Lynchburg, Va, on the day of the execution of William Morva in Jarrett, Va., Thursday, July 6, 2017. Both said they are opposed to capital punishment.
Lone Peak players celebrate after defeating Pleasant Grove during the UHSAA class 5A volleyball title match in Orem on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016.
Diana Lopez is familiar with the non-English speaking courtroom in Nashville. She’s been there twice before to settle two different charges of driving without a license. But circumstances were different on May 4. As an undocumented immigrant in the era of deportation-happy President Donald Trump, stress levels surged when Lopez heard that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were at the courthouse during the days leading up to her appearance. Lopez plans to fight back, no matter if it’s from inside a jail cell, or on the streets of the United States.
Human trafficking survivor empowers women with a grassroots Christian ministry
Summer Dickerson, 38-year-old from Louisville, Kentucky, is a human trafficking survivor and former prostitute. Within two years of initiating recovery from her old lifestyle, Summer accepted Christianity and founded a ministry to empower women caught in similar cycles. Her relationships with her husband and 11 children have improved drastically since her personal transformation. Her husband identifies as a former pimp, and their marriage requires daily sacrifice to overcome battles with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder that she still faces today. She includes each of her children in her ministry work in order to demonstrate her healthy changes to them.
Soon after committing to Christianity, Summer started a Bible study for sex trafficking victims. She invites women from clubs and bars around Louisville to meet weekly for counsel and secure friendship. Additionally, she welcomes women in more desperate need to live with her and her family in their home. In summer of 2017, she completed renovations for a transitional home for them as well. Here they receive mentorship and community in exchange for maintaining strict rules for recovery. On a national scale, Summer connects a community of survivors called the “Sisterhood.” To date, she has saved and transformed many of her “sisters'” lives and fervently continues to do so.