"As a founding director of fellowships at The 19th News, I was preparing to announce our next cohort and host a retreat - several intensive days of workshops, community and networking - to launch their year in our newsroom covering gender, politics and policy. I felt a deep responsibility to strengthen the career pipeline for those historically excluded from U.S. newsrooms."
"Surviving forced me to reflect on how I lead, live and the unhealthy work habits I once followed - first to arrive, last to leave, working through hacking coughs, hopping planes despite exhaustion. For years, I felt obligated to deliver and to support my family, often at the expense of my own well-being. But over time, I learned that true leadership means trusting your people and building a culture where no one feels compelled to give everything to the job."
She flew her mother to Washington after a 78th birthday so a brother could take her back to Trinidad. Within a day she was in the intensive care unit from an unknown antibiotic reaction that caused her body to shut down and fluid to fill her lungs. She was a founding director of fellowships at The 19th News, preparing a cohort announcement and retreat to support journalists historically excluded from U.S. newsrooms. Team members received intermittent messages but did not know the ICU severity. Surviving prompted reflection on unhealthy work habits, trusting teams, relying on community, and prioritizing healing while managing prior stroke and chronic illness.
Read at Fortune
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