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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The City Council is handling his situation differently than past council members who’ve faced corruption charges. Why? -
A new state bill aims to remove barriers to build housing on religious properties. -
As we hit the summer months, it’s only going to get hotter in LA. But why? -
Mission Viejo’s city officials want to host a concierge-level service for Olympic athletes and their entourage. It comes with a price. -
Warmer weather brings out these flying pests, which could carry West Nile Virus. -
LA County DA files criminal charges against a metal recycling plant for dumping hazardous waste at a high school in Watts. -
LA officials are working on electrifying homes and businesses to cut down carbon emissions. But what could that mean for renters? -
This is the story of Jonathan Leonard, who is credited with bringing the Juneteenth tradition to L.A. from his home in Texas. -
Many of the individuals have connected with relatives in California -
Storm runoff is partly to blame for high bacteria levels near Santa Monica and Marina Del Rey, according to a new report.
