Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
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Christopher Jenkins

3713 Livingston Street, Washington,DC

Summary

Experienced and proven award-winning documentary film producer/writer, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and political strategist successful at guiding and producing impactful narrative films and series, social impact campaigns and working with institutions to brand and powerfully express their message and vision.

Overview

24
24
years of professional experience

Work History

Producer & Writer

Shame Of Chicago
11.2021 - Current
  • Produced five-part documentary series on history of residential housing segregation in Chicago
  • Produced, wrote and directed Episode 3, The White Covenant and the Red Line
  • Hired and managed archival producers, development staff, composer and social impact team
  • Wrote grant proposals and developed relationships with funders to raise production budget
  • Developed local and national social impact strategy to pair with series broadcast
  • Liaised with director and other creative staff to successfully complete series, due to air in April, 2024

Creative Consultant

History Of Black Quarterbacks In The NFL
03.2023 - 11.2023
  • Conducted 11 on-camera interviews for eight-part series airing on Peacock, NBC/Universal
  • Conducted research to develop narrative arcs; wrote treatments for each episode
  • Worked directly with director to shape narrative arc of series
  • Supervised on-camera interviews by coordinating with productions manager, director and other producers

Writer

Hussle
11.2021 - 09.2022
  • Conducted 15 on-camera interviews for 5-part series on rapper, entrepreneur and activist Nipsey Hussle
  • Wrote treatments and scripts for each episode of series
  • Supervised 4 story producers as they developed string outs, rough cuts and fine cuts
  • Worked in partnership with director and co-executive producers to develop narrative vision for series

Producer

Anthem
09.2020 - 10.2021
  • Researched and wrote treatment for feature documentary currently airing on HULU
  • Found subjects and talent to appear on camera for interviews
  • Conducted 5 on-air interviews
  • Collaborated with editor on developing film's narrative arc

Writer

Trapped: Cash Bail In America
04.2018 - 10.2020
  • Conceived, developed, wrote and produced feature documentary that explores the American cash bail system for YouTube Originals
  • Successfully pitched idea to YouTube Originals
  • Researched and developed narrative arcs for film that was viewed 2.9 million times
  • Traveled the country and found subjects to express narrative themes
  • Conducted on-camera interviews
  • Wrote treatment and script for film

Managing Director

Darker Than Blue Productions
02.2016 - Current
  • Founded production company to create impactful film and media for political and social justice campaigns, non-profits and corporations
  • Advised 14 political candidates and non-profit organizations on media strategy
  • Clients included: Poor People's Campaign, Miriam's Kitchen, Rep. Abby Spanberger, Catholic University, Google, Black Voters Matter, Ohio State University

Deputy Local Editor

The Washington Post
09.2013 - 02.2016
  • Supervised staff of seven reporters who covered City Hall in Washington, DC and state politics in Virginia; supervised staff of eight who covered local criminal justice issues
  • Directed political and criminal justice coverage of team, collaborating with City Editor, Managing Editor and Executive Editor
  • Edited award-winning stories that exposed social service corruption in Washington; and a cover-up of a police involved shooting in Fairfax, Virginia
  • Developed web strategy for political coverage that increased traffic 46 percent over a several year period

Managing Editor

The Root
07.2010 - 08.2013
  • Supervised staff of 10 and two dozen freelancers
  • Co-Founded The RootDC
  • Conducted editorial meetings with staff members to collaborate and establish publication vision
  • Directed coverage and set editorial vision
  • Proofread, edited and evaluated final copy to verify content aligned with established guidelines
  • Oversaw publication of digital product, aligning multi-media content strategies to maintain cohesive brand identity.
  • Worked closely with publisher to execute editorial and business vision, increase web traffic and hire staff

Staff Writer

The Washington Post
06.2000 - 07.2009

Executed award winning journalism on a range of beats on Metro and National Staff

  • Covered local politics in Northern Virginia, writing stories on development, immigration and race
  • Covered Virginia state legislature in Richmond, Va, writing stories on the administrations of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine; the vast changes in political dynamic in the New South; social issues including abortion, gay marriage and school vouchers
  • Covered John Edwards political rise during 2004 Presidential campaign
  • Explored national social policy issues including poverty, homelessness and social services

Education

Master of Arts - Specialized Journalism

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
05.2010

Master of Arts - Journalism

University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
05.2000

Bachelor of Arts - History And Black Studies

Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH
05.1993

Skills

  • Documentary Film and Print Journalism
  • Field Production
  • Editing
  • Creative Management
  • Copy Editing
  • Story development
  • Public Relations Strategy

Accomplishments

  • 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Deadline Reporting on the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting massacre
  • Winner, Social Impact Award, Trapped: Cash Bail in America A Show For Change Film Festival
  • Winner, Grand Jury Justice For All Award, Trapped: Cash Bail in America, (In)justice For All Film Festival
  • Winner, Diversity in Storytelling Award, Series Fest, The Dreamer
  • Winner of NABJ Salute to Excellence, Best Digital Video Series, 2014 BrotherSpeak
  • First Place Business Feature Writing, Society of Professional Journalists, 2012

Timeline

Creative Consultant

History Of Black Quarterbacks In The NFL
03.2023 - 11.2023

Producer & Writer

Shame Of Chicago
11.2021 - Current

Writer

Hussle
11.2021 - 09.2022

Producer

Anthem
09.2020 - 10.2021

Writer

Trapped: Cash Bail In America
04.2018 - 10.2020

Managing Director

Darker Than Blue Productions
02.2016 - Current

Deputy Local Editor

The Washington Post
09.2013 - 02.2016

Managing Editor

The Root
07.2010 - 08.2013

Staff Writer

The Washington Post
06.2000 - 07.2009

Master of Arts - Specialized Journalism

University of Southern California

Master of Arts - Journalism

University of California, Berkeley

Bachelor of Arts - History And Black Studies

Oberlin College
Christopher Jenkins