Karen Grigsby Bates

Worked in several capacities for one of the nation's most respected news organizations. Founding member and alternate host for Code Switch, NPR's award-winning podcast that covers race and identity. Also conceived of, wrote the Code Switch newsletter. (2013-2023) Race Correspondent, covering issues pertinent to race and racial identity for the National Desk (2011-2013). General assignment reporter for the network's National Desk, covering West Coast news and special assignments. (2007-2011) General assignment reporter and alternate host for Day to Day, NPR's former midday news program (2003-2007). General assignment reporter and alternate host for the Tavis Smiley Show, NPR's first show created for African American listeners (2002).

Additionally, worked closely with other NPR desks, most prominently Arts and Culture, for author and artist profiles.

Represented NPR at myriad conferences and meetings, helped identify and contact people of color who were interested in working at NPR. Also represented the network at station and civic events.

Mentored young journalists at NPR who were interested in working on the editorial side of the network, both informally and through established programs. Part of the initial cohort of mentors who worked with women and journalists of color who desired more upward mobility at NPR.

General assignment reporting on the West Coast for th magazine's news and human interest department. Covered crime, medical innovation, societal trends.

Regular contributor to the paper's Op Ed section on issues of the day, including the O.J. Simpson trial, Los Angeles' changing demographics, tensions between the Los Angeles Police Department and many of the city's communities of color.

Pitched and wrote stories to major publications including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Vogue, Essence, Buzz

General assignment reporting for the nation's most-read newsweekly. Special projects included Shooting Gallery, a Time Special Report on the total numbers of American deaths by gunfire in one specific week.