Representation Matters — Always.

Dear Readers. 

I will never forget the day I started at the Long Beach Post.  May 10, 2021. It was the day I walked into what I thought was my dream job.

Don’t get me wrong, my journalism career thus far has been nothing short of epic. I have been a multimedia journalist in my hometown of Denver, Colorado; I once traveled overseas to be a news anchor on a tiny island called Saipan and I’ve also been a sports reporter and a radio host. 

I have truly loved every minute of my career. But I never had the chance to step into my “why” until I was hired by the Long Beach Post. Much like superheroes, every reporter has an origin story. Mine began when I was 16. As a young high school student who was one of only a tiny handful of Black people on a campus with over 2,500 students, it’s not hard to imagine what happened next. But the short of it is that I made a promise that I would always be a voice for those who are marginalized and overlooked.  

It has never been lost on me that if it had not been for the murder of George Floyd and the justifiable outrage that followed, the Long Beach Post would never have considered hiring me. They never would have seen the value a Black person brings to a newsroom. As troubling as that is, I proudly answered the call. This is what I was meant to do.

Eventually, Laura Anaya-Morga would also join our small but mighty staff. While she focused on the Latino and Spanish-speaking community, I covered the Black community. We started having conversations about how we could help bridge the gap between our two communities. It was an exciting time for both of us. But it was short-lived, as she was laid off soon after, just shy of her second anniversary there. 

Imagine the difference two journalists committed to Long Beach and bringing people together could have made. I think of it all the time. But, when the outrage dies down, so does the need for those who were hired as a reaction to it.

When leadership failed to make the Post a successful nonprofit, I thought, “How can I continue to be a voice for my community in Long Beach?” This was a battle I was prepared to fight alone. Then, there was Jason Ruiz, the leader of our new origin story. Weeks before I and eight others were terminated from the Post, he came to me and said he was "ready to lay his jersey on the table." For those who don't understand the football reference, he was ready to walk or fight with us in solidarity. He ended up doing both. Ruiz was the catalyst for helping us organize and create our union. He has been on strike from the Long Beach Post since those layoffs in March.

For the first time in my journalistic career, I realized this small but mighty group was ready to fight for each other and our community. We all have one focus — ensuring the people of Long Beach have a voice and the information they need to effect change in their community.

For the past several months under The Watchdog, we have done that work for free. Imagine what we could do with your financial support. By becoming a paying subscriber, you’re not just supporting us — you’re investing in the future of Long Beach journalism.

Help us make this dream sustainable, elevate our coverage, and dedicate ourselves fully to bringing you the stories Long Beach deserves. Join us now and enjoy 10% off our annual membership through September. Become a part of our origin story and subscribe today.

Warm regards,

Jackie Rae, Multimedia Columnist