Black Media in the Midwest.... Journalism with Purpose with our guest Derreka Rollins

In this powerful installment of Unapologetically Amplified, Leo sits down with Derreka Rollins, a Gary-born international business liaison, community-engagement veteran, and nontraditional journalist whose work spans more than a decade of global relationship-building, civic activation, and community-centered storytelling.

As the Community Engagement Editor for Capital B Gary, Derreka stands at the intersection of journalism, community trust, and cultural advocacy. Her role isn't just about telling stories, it's about making sure the right stories are told, by centering the lived experiences, needs, and voices of real people.

This episode digs deep into what it means to practice journalism with purpose — journalism rooted in empathy, accountability, and collaboration. Leo, The Squad, and Derreka explore how Black communities have often been misrepresented or ignored by mainstream media, and how platforms like Capital B are crafting a new path where truth-telling becomes legacy work.

Together, they discuss why local Black journalism still matters, how engagement-driven reporting transforms communities, and what it truly takes to reshape narratives with clarity, cultural understanding, and integrity. This conversation honors the truth-tellers, the bridge-builders, and the journalists who show up for our people, not to exploit their stories, but to elevate them.

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