Orie Givens

Communications and Media Leader

Journalism & Media

Journalism & Media

My passion for journalism began at a very young age. After seeing reporters live in the field when I was a kid, and a special school visit by a local TV personality, I saw myself someday telling stories about my community for television audiences. I am fortunate to have worked as a video producer, reporter and MMJ for 5 years including three years on-air for Spectrum News 1. I hold a master’s degree in Broadcast News and Urban Reporting from the Newmark School of Journalism at CUNY (formerly the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism), and have produced content for print, magazine, radio, television and digital platforms over the past 12 years.

Reporter & Anchor Reel

Media Experience

Multimedia
Journalist

Spectrum News 1 Ohio/Hudson Valley

Worked as a daily assignment reporter covering local and/or statewide issues for Spectrum News. Experienced MMJ covering spot and feature news including in-depth reports on mental health, medical cannabis, business development, and social issues.

Mgr. Content Partnerships

Spectrum News

Managed content relationships between Spectrum Newsrooms and editorial partners in Ohio, Wisconsin, and Kentucky. Oversaw story budgeting and selection process, and liaised with local newsrooms to achieve coverage goals for our Spectrum News App.

Director, News & Content

Radio Free Brooklyn

Worked as a volunteer content producer and editor for Radio Free Brooklyn driving editorial strategy for our website and newsletter. Developed multimedia content for digital delivery on-air and on the website. Collaborated with hosts and producers to uplift and amplify show content.

Moderator Host/Producer

Radio Free Brooklyn

Created and produced two weekly shows on LGBTQ+ pop culture and politics. Mentored and coached new hosts on production and on-air presence. Planned and managed show production and oversaw booking and post-production.

Correspondent & Video Producer

Advocate News

Pioneered the first coverage vertical dedicated to the intersection of race and sexuality at the Advocate, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ news outlet. I wrote several dozens of stories covering breaking news, LGBTQ+ rights, and issues of race and ethnicity and their impact on LGBTQ identity.

Freelance Journalist

Various

Produced multimedia content for a range of outlets including JJIE, DailyXtra, Outlook News, UNCF, Harlem Focus, AmericanPhoto, TalkTainment Radio, WVKO 1580 and others.

Published Work

Featured Stories

Live Reporting

Stories in the field reporting on-air.

Television Stories

  • Exploring the Defunding Debate

    As calls for defunding the police mount in light of reports of continued police aggression and disinvestment from the public, I explore the argument behind the debate and why activists say its time for a change. This was an MMJ piece produced for broadcast for Spectrum News 1 Ohio.

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  • Protestors Want Columbus Mayor Out

    This feature story for Spectrum News 1 Ohio highlights the conflict over the mayor’s response to social justice protests in solidarity with the case of George Floyd, and how the police have violently engaged with protestors. I wrote, edited, captured video and voiced this piece for broadcast.

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Digital Stories

  • ADVOCATE NEWS: LGBT voters are dismayed at the election results

    (For The Advocate/ by Orie Givens) As Ohio LGBT voters watched the returns, a mixture of disbelief and sadness could be heard in hushed conversations. For many LGBT people, especially LGBT people of color, the worst possible outcome happened: America elected Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States. “They’re voting for goldfish…

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  • ADVOCATE NEWS: More than 400 hate incidents reported since Trump’s election (2016)

    For Advocate.com/By Orie Givens There have been 437 reported acts of verbal and physical harassment recorded by the Southern Poverty Law Center since voters elected Donald Trump president of the United States. Appointments such as Steve Bannon to Trump’s administration and a failure to seriously address the hateful Trump campaign rhetoric, the social justice watchdog…

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  • GLAAD Media Awards Red Carpet 2015

    I co-reported from the red carpet of the New York red carpet of the GLAAD Media Awards 2015 for Daily Xtra, a Canadian LGBTQ+ news outlet. I worked the red carpet for the 2015 New York GLAAD media awards, interviewing celebrities Wilson Cruz, Russell Simmons, Chris Kluwe and others. I co-hosted and produced this content…

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Print/Magazine

  • Outlook Ohio: Wanda Sykes Gets Serious

    In 2015 I was a freelance contributor for Outlook Ohio, a former print and digital LGBTQ+ outlet serving the Buckeye State. I got the opportunity to speak with her ahead of her local tour dates in 2015 about politics, being Black and gay, and the road to cannabis legalization.

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