HOUREIDJA TALL

Hi there! I'm Houreidja Tall. I’m a culture writer who explores the stories of people across the African diaspora, highlights communities that are disregarded by traditional media and shows the nuances in their lives. I'm a first-generation New Yorker of Malian and Senegalese descent, which largely informs the passion with which I approach my work. I am committed to sharing the stories of those who are easily overlooked.

Most recently, I worked as the social media manager at Capital B News, a newsroom dedicated to civic journalism about and for Black communities. I am currently interested freelance writing or full-time editorial opportunities.

To find out more about my work, browse my Writing and Blog and get in touch if you have any questions or would like to discuss working together.

CURRICULUM VITAE

FREELANCE JOURNALIST

August 2020 - Present

Report on issues related to people of the African diaspora, contemporary culture, and overlooked communities.

Published articles in Refinery29, Documented, Next City and Slate.
For Teen Vogue: wrote about the power of Black cultural Instagram pages and the threat of online surveillance.
For Harper’s Bazaar: wrote articles about Black reproductive health workers taking care of their patients during quarantine, Black women who choose to remain child-free, and Black women’s experience with their natural hair.
Created “Braiding Resource and News” WhatsApp group, a solutions journalism product, to address information gap needs for West African hair braiders in Harlem.

CAPITAL B NEWS - SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

January 2022 - June 2022

Amplified the stories of writers via social media platforms and cultivated interactions with readers.

Monitored social media analytics via platforms such as Hootsuite and prepared weekly reports for managers with commentary on trends and patters and advice on how to refine strategy.
Wrote concise social copy for 7-10 Capital B stories daily on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Organized events for writers to interact with followers such as Twitter Spaces.

REFINERY29 - EDITORIAL INTERN

June 2021 - August 2021

Pitched and wrote articles, assisted executive editor at women-centered lifestyle site.

Published articles ranging from interview with Black brand founder to a how-to guide on managing COVID-related anxiety.
Pitched and wrote stories for Unbothered, site’s vertical for Black women.

AFRICAN WOMEN’S MILLENNIAL INITIATIVE (AWOMI) - REMOTE COORDINATOR

September 2019 - January 2020

Volunteered for organization that sought to empower young women across African continent.

Registered delegates and panelists for International Conference for Population Development in Nairobi.
Networked with other organizations at ICPD to identify opportunities for collaboration and funding.
Worked with president of AWOMI to create draft of proposal to fund summer institute and future initiatives.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

National Association of Black Journalists
Online News Association

EDUCATION

CRAIG NEWMARK GRADUATE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM

Master of Arts in Engagement Journalism

Recipient of Vice-Knight and Anne O'Hare McCormick Memorial Fund scholarships

Degree expected December 2022

BROOKLYN COLLEGE

Graduated February 2020

Bachelor of Arts in Women's and Gender Studies
2019 Spring semester abroad in Dakar, Senegal through School for International Training’s Senegal: Global Security and Religious Pluralism program

Recipient of Benjamin T. Gilman, Leonard and Claire Tow Undergraduate Travel Stipend for International Research Award and Roy L. Furman Fellows Program scholarships

LET'S TALK

houreidja [at] gmail [dot] com