The Seattle Globalist is thrilled to celebrate four extraordinary writers whose contributions have made this an exceptional year for our publication: the 2016 Globie Award winners. Thanks to their work, The Globalist continues to grow as a leading media source in Seattle covering diverse communities and local-to-global issues.
Please join us in congratulating Damme Getachew, Jovelle Tamayo, Mahroo Keshavarz and Reagan Jackson at our 4th Annual Globie Awards on Friday, Oct. 14 along with 2016 Globalist of the Year Donald Byrd.
Damme Getachew
Youth Journalist of the Year
Damme Getachaw, a fresh Seattle Pacific University (SPU) graduate, joined the Seattle Globalist Youth Apprenticeship Program in May as a global development major. In just a few months, she’s made a big impression on Globalist staff and readers.
“She has really distinguished herself as a devoted and sophisticated journalist,” said Globalist Creative Director Sarah Stuteville. Stuteville also served as Damme’s mentor in the program.
Stuteville said that Damme has that “power combo” that makes great journalists: she is both an incredible writer and a well-rounded reporter who asks strangers about their feelings on controversial issues, and digs into the minutia of the immigration justice system.
Her stories explored the complexities of being Black and brown in America, capturing the black adoptee experience in her “Seattle’s Smartest Global Women” profile of Angela Tucker and “How it feels to be Black in America” after the murders of Alton Sterling and Philando Castille. Yesterday, we published her excellent piece on defending yourself in immigration court.
Damme grew up in Seattle as the daughter of Ethiopian immigrants. She is an aspiring filmmaker and self-identified “hardcore dreamer.”
Read Damme’s stories and learn more about her here.
Jovelle Tamayo
Visual Journalist of the Year
In her past year contributing to The Seattle Globalist, Jovelle Tamayo’s camera has taken her everywhere from Lynden, a small city near the Canadian border, where she photographed Donald Trump’s supporters and protesters, to the intimate moments of saying goodbye to Inay’s Restaurant, a decades-long cultural anchor in Beacon Hill that closed last winter.
“Globalist editors have been impressed, not only with Jovelle’s amazing photography, but by her ability to deliver the news in a timely manner, and capture the moments and tone of an event to tell a dynamic story,” said Community Engagement Editor Christina Twu.
At the Beacon Hill Block Party in June, Jovelle hit the mark on all of these elements of visual journalism, setting a new Globalist standard for Instagram reporting.
Additionally, Jovelle accompanies many of her visual stories with solid reporting and writing. She’s even led a Globalist photo and video journalism workshop to stellar reviews, adding to her resume as a media educator with General Assembly, Reel Grrls and Aki Kurose Middle School.
Jovelle was born in the Philippines and raised in New Jersey before she made her way to Seattle. Recently, she joined the board of Asian American Journalists Association’s Seattle chapter as the director of programs.
Read Jovelle’s stories and learn more about her here.
Mahroo Keshavarz
Community Journalist of the Year
Mahroo Keshavarz, like many contributors at The Globalist, is something of an “accidental journalist.”
“What sets her apart is that she has a special knack for being in the right place at the right time, and becoming everyone’s favorite confidante,” said Twu.
It was this gift that led Mahroo to capture how a restaurant’s closure in Beacon Hill this spring inspired the neighborhood’s favorite drag queen to fully embrace her trans womanhood.
And this past year, she’s covered everything from Snoop Dogg’s unlikely connection to Iranian culture, to a community-led move to paint Central District crosswalks pan-African colors.
“Mahroo has long been our ear to the ground, and has become one of our most prolific contributors,” said Twu. “Her work is fresh, funny, and demonstrates a lot of respect for her sources and communities she reports in.”
In addition to serving as our “Community Journalist of the Year,” Mahroo is an artist and home visiting coordinator working on literacy among early learners.
Read Mahroo’s stories and learn more about her here.
Reagan Jackson
Journalist of the Year
Reagan Jackson began contributing to The Seattle Globalist in 2013 and has graced us as a columnist since 2014. Over the past three years, Reagan has honored us with her profound insights, outstanding reporting and powerful voice.
Reagan’s work has launched and amplified many critical conversations in Seattle that would have otherwise been lost in the news shuffle.
“Reagan is what every columnist aspires to be. When I’m out and about talking about The Globalist with people, it’s her stories that come up,” said Stuteville. “She has a very unique worldview, and she knows how to make it accessible for a really broad audience. That’s such an incredible talent.”
Just this past year, she’s reported on the very dangerous consequences of vitriol against All People of Color Yoga, a story that ignited a national discussion. Similarly, her spring story on Uncle Ike’s on the corner of 23rd and Union generated an unprecedented response.
Her work has garnered equal praise and respect from journalists and the loyal community of readers she has built. Reagan has been recognized with awards from the Washington Press Association and the Northwest Society of Professional Journalists.
“People trust her as a community member and a journalist, and they come to her with those stories,” said Stuteville.
In addition to killin’ it as one of Seattle’s top columnists this year, Reagan serves as the program manager of Young Women Empowered (Y-WE), a Seattle area youth program, and teaches writing workshops independently.
Read Reagan’s stories and learn more about her here.
Join us in celebrating our extraordinary contributors and our Globalist of the Year at the Globie Awards on Saturday, Oct. 14 in Georgetown Ballroom hosted by Hollis Wong-Wear. Get tickets now!
