Contributors

Michelle Bangert
Michelle Bangert came to CUNY from Chicago, where she worked at a trade magazine for several years. Before that, she worked for a newspaper group in Illinois, blogged for a Ukrainian environmental organization, and taught English in the Czech Republic.

 

 

Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke
Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke was born in Hawaii, grew up in Manhattan and lives in Brooklyn. She writes about New York City politics and books.

 

 

 

Cesar R. Bustamante, Jr.
Cesar R. Bustamante, Jr. is a freelance journalist attending the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism. Over the years he has talked to a Muslim rockstar, a World War II veteran, Armenian Genocide survivors, civil rights activists, a published poet, a published novelist, a former African slave, congressmen and a senator. He’s often found in someone’s newsroom.

 

 

Lauren F. Friedman Lauren F. Friedman is a freelance writer and multimedia journalist based in New York. Her work has appeared in Psychology Today, GOOD, The Philadelphia Inquirer, OnEarth and other publications.

 

 

 

Kyle McGovern
Kyle McGovern is a native New Yorker incapable of functioning anywhere else. He is also a freelance writer willing to do almost anything for a byline and a check.

 

 

 

Laura O. Ratliff
Laura O. Ratliff is a Texan-born freelance writer/photographer, who also dabbles in audio, video and various Internet endeavors. When she does not have a camera or notebook in hand, she can typically be found in the kitchen or on the back of a horse.

 

 

Lily Rothman
Lily Rothman is a Brooklyn-based freelance writer. She came in 338th in the 2011 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament.

 

 

 

 

Jermaine Taylor
Jermaine Taylor is a teacher turned librarian turned graduate student studying Business and Economics Reporting at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism in Manhattan.

 

 

 

Stuart White
Originally from Kentucky, Stuart White is a Brooklyn-based freelancer with a focus on public and international affairs.

 

 

 

 

Al Barbarino
Al Barbarino is a multimedia journalist based in New York City. He will earn his M.A. in Journalism in December 2011 and has a B.A. in Journalism and Media Studies from the State University of New York at Geneseo. He has published articles with the Brooklyn Eagle, The New York Times’ Local Blog and The New York Daily News.