As a video journalist and documentary filmmaker, I work independently as a one-woman-band.
I focus on themes of race, gender, health, displacement, and culture.
Digital Media Content
Fusion+: Trans Teen Cheerleader Prepares to Face the World
Roles: Shooter, Producer
Joel started out on her cheer team in a boy's uniform. While many trans teens face discrimination in their high schools, Joel was met with love and support from her coach and fellow cheerleaders, and now proudly dons the girl's uniform after officially coming out as trans.
AJ+: Asian Refugees in Chicago farm for a taste of home
Roles: Shooter, Producer
When I met Hnu Hnu Win, a 15-year-old refugee who loves to farm, I was intrigued by her perspective on the world, the refugee community, and how she loved connecting with her Burmese roots. She and many other refugees grow a variety of produce at the Global Garden Refugee Farm in Chicago.
NBC News: Growing Up Barack: Meet Three Boys Named After President Obama
NBC featured three young black boys who were named after President Obama for a piece honoring his legacy as he left the Oval Office. I was one of three video journalists who shot and interviewed these families. Barak and his parents are based in Chicago - where they first met the former president in 2000.
AJ+: Why Trump's hate speech is protected
In March, a Donald Trump rally was shut down by protestors in Chicago. I was in the field reporting for AJ+, filming and interviewing people for a quick turnaround news piece, and this explainer piece on free speech.
AJ+: Young Singaporeans give migrant workers a voice
Roles: Shooter, Producer, Editor
Singapore has one of the highest concentration of migrant workers in the world. Yet, their voices are often missing from mainstream media. This story is on a group of students who founded Familiar Strangers, an online campaign advocating for low-wage migrant workers.
Chicago Reader: Inside Fat Rice
Fat Rice, Chicago's only Macanese restaurant, is publishing a new cookbook featuring recipes from their restaurant and other adventures from their travels. As a part of Chicago Reader's 2016 Fall Preview, I helped concept and create a video to accompany their piece on Fat Rice's new cookbook.
Short Docs
Chicago Reporter: Living in a Transit Desert
Roles: Video Journalist, Shooter/Producer/Editor
Residents of the Riverdale neighborhood on Chicago's Far South Side talk about what the proposed Red Line extension means for them and their community. I spent some time in the community talking to residents and interviewing people across different ages and backgrounds.
DNAinfo: Andy And His Service Dog, Corky, Overcome Challenges Of Autism Together
Roles: Shooter, Producer, Editor
I first heard about Fabiola and Andy's search for a service dog through a fundraising campaign. That was when I knew their story would be incredibly important to parents and families with autistic children. I pitched this to DNAinfo Chicago and wrote a text piece for their site, along with this short documentary-style video about Andy and his service dog Corky.
The Weather Channel: Journey of the Hop
Roles: Shooter, Producer, Editor
The Weather Channel was creating an interactive, multimedia story on the 'Journey of the Hop' featuring Goose Island, and one out of three videos was set in Chicago's very own Goose Island Brewery. I was assigned to interview two experts at Goose Island on the importance of hops in beer, and produced one of three videos in the project.
MSNBC: 'With technology, I didn't have to sell my body'
Roles: Shooter, Producer, Editor
As a openly trans woman of color, Angelica Ross says her only options were to work as a showgirl or sex worker. Instead, she taught herself technical skills. Now she’s created an internship program, Trans Tech, based in Chicago to mentor other trans people. I was assigned to cover her incredible story in a short doc-style piece for MSNBC Originals.
The piece was nominated for the 26th GLAAD Media Awards under 'Outstanding Digital Journalism - Multimedia,' and featured on the Melissa Harris-Perry show on MSNBC.
MSNBC: Young, high-achieving, and mentally ill
Roles: Shooter, Producer, Editor
Young Asian American women have the highest rates of depressive symptoms of any racial/ethnic or gender group, but cultural stigma surrounding mental illness has left Asian American communities ill-equipped to support those who are coping. As a young Asian American woman myself, I'm passionate about bringing stories of today's Asian America to light, and mental health has been one of the biggest unspoken issues to date. I pitched the story of Jessica Gimeno, a young Filipino American woman who wrestles with bipolar disorder among other illnesses, and with her story delved deep into the cultural issues contributing to the stigma.