CJ Leathers
Summary
Accomplished journalist and editor with professional reporting experience and leadership roles in a collegiate newsroom. Dedicated to enterprise and community-centered storytelling, emphasizing accuracy, curiosity and a student-of-the-game mindset. Passionate about continuous learning and producing impactful journalism that serves communities.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
News Reporting Intern
Democrat and Chronicle (USA TODAY Network/Gannett)
Rochester, NY
05.2026 - Current
- Covered housing, neighborhood revitalization, environmental issues, and enterprise stories for Rochester, meeting daily newsroom deadlines to inform and engage the community.
- Published 20+ bylined multimedia stories, producing original reporting, photography and video for digital and print platforms covering housing, local government and underserved communities.
- Collaborated with reporters to edit and proofread content for clarity and accuracy.
Managing Editor
Garnet Media Group: The Daily Gamecock
01.2026 - Current
- Managed editorial operations for a 130-member collegiate newsroom, overseeing daily production across news, sports, opinion, arts and culture, and multimedia teams.
- Coordinated newsroom coverage by assigning stories, setting deadlines, and managing editorial workflows, ensuring timely content delivery during weekly budget meetings.
- Also served in the following positions: full-staff arts/culture and news writer, fashion beat writer, assistant Arts and Culture editor, lead Arts and Culture editor.
News Reporter
Carolina News and Reporter
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Produced eight reported stories on education, news, and culture, showcasing ability to engage diverse audiences across multiple beats.
- Captured 28 impactful photos of portraits, animals, and events to enhance visual storytelling and audience connection.
- This online publication serves the Columbia, SC area and surrounding cities. All work is reported by journalism students at the University of South Carolina for its SJMC journalism capstone program.
NYU Ed Bradley 2025 Journalism Fellow
Dow Jones News Fund
Manhattan, NY
06.2025 - 06.2025
- Chosen as one of 19 fellows nationwide for a prestigious program recognizing emerging journalists committed to excellence, diversity, and impactful storytelling.
- Engaged in intensive training with leading journalists and media professionals through workshops, newsroom visits, and hands-on projects, enhancing reporting skills.
- Created original reports under mentorship, refining investigative research, multimedia production, and audience-focused storytelling skills.
Depop Student Brand Ambassador
Depop
Columbia, SC
01.2024 - 11.2025
- Promoted Depop at on-campus events, through social media campaigns and peer outreach, increasing brand awareness and user engagement.
- Led a social media campaign generating over 100,000 Instagram insights, enhancing brand visibility and engagement with target audiences.
- Developed and executed marketing strategies to enhance brand visibility among target demographics.
- Engaged with community through social media campaigns to drive user interaction and platform growth.
- Organized promotional events, fostering relationships between Depop and local student communities.
Emerging News Fellow
The Charlotte Post
Charlotte, NC
05.2024 - 08.2025
- Researched, pitched, and wrote original news and feature stories under tight deadlines, adhering to AP style and editorial standards, enhancing coverage of diverse topics throughout Charlotte.
- Produced 14 articles with editor-in-chief Herbert White, managing fact-checking, copyediting, and layout to ensure accuracy and clarity, fostering reader engagement.
- The Charlotte Post Publishing Company
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Mass Communications
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC12.2026
Skills
- News Writing
- Feature Writing
- AP Style Writing
- Copy Editing
- Journalistic research
- Interviewing
- Adobe Premiere Pro
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Canva
- Team collaboration
- Strong attention to detail
Websites and Profiles
- Portfolio
Awards
South Carolina Press Association: March 2026
- First Place: Feature Story, "It's not going away": AI's place in art, design classrooms
- First Place: General Excellence (staff award)
- Third Place, Breaking News Story, Coverage of the University of South Carolina's response to a nationwide wave of active shooter alerts
Society of Professional Journalists: April 2026
- Region 3 Mark of Excellence Award Finalist, Photo Essay/Slideshow, South Carolina State Fair (Carolina Reporter Staff)
Timeline
News Reporting Intern
Democrat and Chronicle (USA TODAY Network/Gannett)
05.2026 - Current
Managing Editor
Garnet Media Group: The Daily Gamecock
01.2026 - Current
News Reporter
Carolina News and Reporter
08.2025 - 05.2026
NYU Ed Bradley 2025 Journalism Fellow
Dow Jones News Fund
06.2025 - 06.2025
Emerging News Fellow
The Charlotte Post
05.2024 - 08.2025
Depop Student Brand Ambassador
Depop
01.2024 - 11.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Journalism and Mass Communications
University of South Carolina