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20 Students Graduate from Youth Media Communication Development Program

Twenty students graduated from the pioneering class of Youth Media Communication Development program at the ETSS Social Services after-school facility at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, McNaughten Road, Columbus, Ohio on Monday, May 4, 2026.

The program, facilitated by the New American Community Information Center, NACIC in collaboration with the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods provided the K-8 students with basics of journalism and media communication, story development, interviewing, writing, and digital media.

Flagged off on Monday, March 30, 2026, the students were instructed in the art of writing, news sourcing, different news platforms, use of social media, media ethics, cartoons, critical thinking, interviewing and broadcasting.

The students played host to guests’ professionals including founder of Apex1Radio Ernest Kanjo, Publisher of Xceptional Teen magazine Shola Adebuga, Founder and co-founder of the Power Parenting Company, Taiwo Akinlami and Olufunmilayo Akinlami, NIDOA President Sonje Calamese and Georgia State University Assistant Professor Adewale Adenle.

In March, central Ohio nonprofit organization, ETSS Social Services signed a partnership agreement with the New American Community Information Center, NACIC with the New Americans magazine to provide journalism and media training to youths participating in ETSS programs.

The collaboration was to train the youths in basics of journalism and media communication, story development, interviewing, writing, and digital media under the Youth Media and Communication Development program of the New American Community Information Center.

Youth Media and Communication Development is a partnership program between the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhood and the New American Community Information Center, with the New Americans Magazine to equip students with real-world skills in writing, reporting, ethics, and media literacy.

“This is an opportunity for youth to create and share their own stories and media content,” said Dr Seleshi Asfaw, Executive Director of ETSS.

Also, ETSS Director of Youth Services Amanuel Merdassa said, “this is a great opportunity to expose our youth to media and communication development experiences “.

Coordinator of the YMCD, Deba Uwadiae said the program will “empower K–12 students with foundational journalism skills, critical thinking, and ethical awareness, preparing them to become responsible and impactful journalists and storytellers in the future.”