Madison Jolley: Carrying the Torch – My Journey to Journalism
Photo provided by Madison Jolley.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Madison Jolley is a New Jersey Civic Information Consortium intern assigned to Front Runner New Jersey.com. A native of Voorhees and a graduate of Eastern High School, she is a junior at Rutgers University. This personal essay is her first story with FRNJ.
BY MADISON JOLLEY | For AC JosepH Media
VOORHEES — Stories have always meant more to me than just entertainment — they are how we connect, reflect, and evolve.
My love for storytelling began in my grandmother Loretta Rivera’s living room in Harlem, where stories flowed as freely as conversation. She was a writer at heart, filling journal after journal with reflections, observations, and dreams. At seventeen, she imagined traveling the world and writing about people, culture, and life’s complexities.
Although her circumstances didn’t allow her to pursue journalism professionally, she never stopped writing. Her pen never ran dry, even when her hands grew tired.
She passed that passion on to me in the most organic way — through our endless conversations.
From local news to hard-hitting political coverage, to heartwarming human-interest stories, we could talk for hours.
I remember the sparkle in her eyes when we’d discuss current events or a piece I’d been working on. Those moments planted a seed in me, showing me the power of perspective and voice. When our last conversation came in the midst of a global pandemic, her words were simple but unforgettable: “Keep writing, Madison. Your voice is needed in this world.”
She passed away shortly after that conversation, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. But her voice, and that message, have stayed with me ever since.
In honoring her memory, I’ve found my purpose. Writing is no longer just something I enjoy — it’s how I carry her spirit forward, how I advocate for change, and how I give others a platform to be heard.
Back in high school, I spent three years as part of a student-led journalism initiative in Voorhees. In a small town, where stories often go unnoticed, we committed to sharing voices that deserved to be heard.
I wrote about everything from protests during the Met Gala to the victories of families seeking justice in the face of police brutality. I highlighted student organizations that celebrated heritage and community, giving a platform to cultures often overlooked. The work taught me that journalism isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room—it’s about being the most attentive listener.
As a Journalism and Media Studies major at Rutgers University–New Brunswick, I’ve begun shaping this passion into a profession. The classroom has helped me understand the structure and ethics of reporting, but the real growth has come from the experiences beyond it.
Through my work with the Rutgers NAACP, where I serve as assistant secretary and formerly as press and publicity chair, I’ve learned how to use media as a tool for organizing and impact. I’ve helped craft messages that not only inform but mobilize.
I’ve seen how journalism intersects with activism and how essential it is for underrepresented communities to have access to accurate, intentional storytelling.
At Impact Strategies — a political advocacy and social impact firm led by Angela Rye — I had the opportunity to be part of something even bigger. From March to November 2024, I worked on the collective pardon campaign for former Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby, supporting research, communications, and outreach efforts.
I assisted in building coalitions and maintained relationships with Capitol Hill offices and advocacy groups. That experience showed me how journalism doesn’t just live in newsrooms — it plays a role in policy, justice, and reform.
It reminded me that storytelling, when done right, can shift narratives and drive meaningful change.
I also learned about the gaps that still exist in our industry. For much of my life, I rarely saw journalists on television who looked like me. The news anchors, reporters, and commentators often didn’t reflect my identity or experience.
But in recent years, that has started to change.
More Black women are occupying leadership roles in journalism, breaking glass ceilings, and telling stories that resonate deeply with their communities. Seeing them has inspired me to push forward — not only for myself but for the next generation of storytellers who need to see what’s possible.
I believe journalism should serve as a mirror and a megaphone. It should reflect the lived experiences of diverse communities while amplifying voices that are too often silenced. That belief fuels everything I do.
Whether it’s through editing, reporting, research, or simply listening, I bring intentionality to my work. I know that one story can open minds, one interview can inspire action, and one voice — when empowered — can change everything.
Today, when I pick up a pen or open a blank document, I think of my grandmother. I think of the conversations we had, the stories she told, and the dream she passed on to me. Journalism is not just what I study — it’s who I am.
It’s in the way I see the world, the questions I ask, and the communities I uplift. My voice, like hers, has a place in this world. And I plan to use it — for her, for myself, and for everyone who has a story to tell.
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