ABOUT

Ignite Journalism seeks to bring quality journalism opportunities to more students in San Diego County, targeting juniors and seniors at public high schools that do not have journalism classes or student media.

This out-of-school program teaches high school students critical journalism and digital skills to support them in producing content for a polished, local and youth-focused online media outlet.

Students meet as a group weekly throughout the school year to learn the fundamentals of journalism, pitch stories, discuss content production, and hear from guest speakers working in the field. They will also learn how to publish their work online and will create social media content to repackage their stories and develop their digital media storytelling skills.

Ignite Journalism is pursuing 501(c)3 nonprofit status.

Meet the founder

Ashley Williams is the founder of Ignite Journalism. She is a writer and educator with a decade of communications experience across the globe. Her work has taken her on reporting trips to places like Afghanistan and Nigeria and she has lived in five countries. Ashley founded and operated a free, online writing camp for kids and teens to help families struggling during the beginning of the pandemic. Her love of storytelling was nurtured through Steele Canyon High School’s journalism program, the summer Union Tribune/CCNMA journalism workshop, and her journalism and public relations studies at San Diego State. After years of working and living abroad, nothing makes her happier than supporting the next generation of storytellers in her hometown of San Diego.

Photo by Jim Huylebroek for Creative Associates International.