Currently anchoring business reporting for The St. Louis American through the Report for America initiative, Robinson-Jacobs specializes in solutions journalism with a racial equity lens. Her 25-year career spans Pulitzer-caliber breaking news and transformative community narratives.
"Authentic community partnerships are the bedrock of impactful journalism – I prioritize stories emerging from grassroots collaboration."
We’ve followed Karen Robinson-Jacobs’ career as a torchbearer for solutions-oriented reporting, particularly within African American communities. Her work blends investigative rigor with a nuanced understanding of systemic inequities, making her a vital voice in contemporary journalism.
This seven-month investigation revealed 73% of 100+ law enforcement agencies had leadership demographics misaligned with community populations. Robinson-Jacobs employed comparative statistical analysis across arrest records, promotion data, and census figures. Her findings sparked DOJ reviews in three states and became required reading in police reform seminars.
Tracking the 53% surge in food bank demand, this piece wove personal narratives with supply chain analysis. Robinson-Jacobs identified "food apartheid" patterns through GIS mapping of grocery store closures. The article’s impact metrics include 12 community-led urban farming initiatives launched in response.
Profiling 40+ businesses, this analysis debunked myths about PPP loan utilization. Robinson-Jacobs created an innovative "resilience index" measuring factors like digital adaptation rates. Her findings informed SBA policy adjustments for minority business support programs.
Prioritize stories demonstrating measurable community impact through African American entrepreneurship. Example: Her NBCBLK piece highlighted a tech startup reducing food waste via AI-driven distribution networks. Successful pitches will include verifiable metrics on job creation or wealth gap reduction.
Seek original datasets revealing systemic inequities in economic or judicial systems. Her police leadership study combined HR records with demographic mapping. Compelling pitches might explore redlining’s contemporary effects using property value algorithms.
Avoid generic "small business spotlight" angles. Instead, highlight scalable models addressing specific community needs. Her coverage of a Black-owned medical supply chain during COVID shortages exemplifies this approach.
Stories bridging legislation to grassroots implementation resonate strongly. The food insecurity reporting connected CARES Act provisions to local distribution challenges. Pitch ideas showing policy translation into tangible community outcomes.
Robinson-Jacobs frequently anchors reporting in historical patterns, like tracing wealth gaps to 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre impacts. Pitches should contextualize current events through archival research or intergenerational narratives.
"Her work doesn’t just report on communities – it actively strengthens them through forensic storytelling." – 2024 National Association of Black Journalists citation
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Business, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
