Aaricka Washington
As the associate editor for How To LA, I not only write daily news stories in collaboration with the podcast, I lead strategy conversations with my team in order to create captivating, impactful stories for the podcast, digital site, radio and social media that capture the life, news, and culture of Los Angeles. In this role, I also report on original, L.A.-centric, in-depth stories monthly for the How To LA podcast. My stories largely focus on marginalized communities, youth and education. Lastly, I plan, coordinate and host community events with the aim of broadening and expanding audience reach within LAist and How To LA.
A community-driven local news reporter at heart, I've spent countless hours talking to parents, teachers, students, community members and school board trustees about the most crucial issues in education. I’ve covered breaking news, enterprise and investigative education stories for Chalkbeat Indiana and the Austin American-Statesman, focusing on the experiences of people from historically under-resourced communities that were similar to my childhood working class neighborhoods. I’ve also written for The New York Times, PBS NewsHour, Time Magazine and several other news publications.
Before becoming a professional journalist, I was a Teach for America corps member in Houston, Texas teaching Black, Latino and Southeast Asian kids in low-income schools.
I earned a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University-Bloomington.
My dad’s parents met in South L.A. after moving from Arkansas and Louisiana during The Great Migration in the late 1940s. They settled in Watts and started a large family of Washingtons. My family is currently all over South L.A. They are indeed witnesses of the most infamous, transformative parts of modern Black L.A. history. I was born in L.A. on the exact day my grandparents were married 40 years earlier. While I’m from L.A, I grew up mostly in Indianapolis, Indiana with my mom and visited nearly every summer. After living in Indianapolis, Houston, Austin and New York, it was time to return to my roots. I’m so happy to be back.
I’m an avid roller skater, long-distance runner, (soon-to-be) swimmer, and one helluva dope Auntie.
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COVID-era CalFresh benefits for college students are expiring in June. Students reach out to peers to inform them of the changes. -
How to LA podcast host Brian De Los explores his culture, identity and heritage in Mexico in the second part of the “Finding Home con DACA” series. -
Despite a freeze on rent increases, renters say landlords have raised them anyway. -
In these literary spaces, you can find a good read, conversation and community. -
Black women in LA are taking the lead on opening up shops. libraries and other spaces to connect over books and so much more. -
A group of former Section 14 residents are seeking reparations from the city. -
On Easter Sunday, hundreds of people marched in West Hollywood in response to anti-LGBTQ legislation nationwide. -
Here’s some advice for high school seniors in L.A. who have to make the stress-inducing decision on choosing a college to attend. -
Last month, How To LA podcast host Brian De Los Santos went back to Mexico for the first time ever. Here’s the first part of his story. -
For the latest podcast episode of How To LA, we explore the neighborhood called Montecito Heights, an artists' haven.
