Skye Oduaran

Talk Title
Story Changes Everything
Description
In an interview with 13-year-old journalist Skye Oduaran, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated, “We always like to say representation matters.” Despite this, youth journalists face significant barriers in the media landscape, including institutional bias, lack of platform, and frequent underestimation. The key to overcoming these barriers is representation: ensuring more youth are involved in journalism. Youth journalism is powerful, and when young voices are participating in the media, they gain the strength to break through obstacles. ‘Story Changes Everything’ shows that everyone has their own unique journey and inspiration, overcoming barriers, and that seeing these diverse stories can empower others to overcome their own challenges and pursue their dreams. After all, if you can dream it, you can be it.

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Speaker Biography
At age 13, Skye Oduaran is a young journalist and student. She has either met or interviewed many key figures including President Obama, former UN Ambassador Andrew Young, GA Governor Kemp, Senator Warnock, actress America Ferrera, Representative Stacey Abrams, reporter Ernie Suggs, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limon, journalist Monica Pearson, Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, actress Tessa Thompson, journalist Marian Alexis Scott, & Minority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives Fentrice Driskell, amongst many others. Reporting from the White House, she covered both the 2022 and 2023 Pardoning of the Thanksgiving Turkeys and the Nov. 20th, 2023 Press Briefing, even securing an interview with White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. Beyond her journalistic pursuits, Skye is a Youth Ambassador for the 5Rights Foundation and the author of 2 books in the Susie Cinnamon Sleuth Series since age 12. In an industry often dominated by adults, Skye believes that age is no barrier to insightful reporting and meaningful advocacy.