Chips Quinn Reporter Spotlight: Akiya Dillon
Posting: Wednesday, February 25, 2025
Akiya Dillon, a Breaking News and Crime Reporter for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is dedicated to covering the complexities of the criminal legal system with fairness and depth. Originally planning to pursue law, Dillon’s unexpected introduction to journalism led to a career focused on accurately and humanely reporting on crime and court systems.
Born in Detroit and raised in Las Vegas, Dillon’s early interest in law and politics led her to Duke University, where she pursued degrees in both political science and English with plans for law school. However, a summer internship opportunity introduced her to journalism which sparked a passion she hadn’t anticipated.
Akiya Dillon
Chips Quinn Reporter
Through the 9th Street Journal, a local publication at Duke University, Dillon discovered a love for reporting—one that would end up shifting her career path. Her growing interest in criminal justice reform shaped her focus on crime and courts. She believes local news must continuously evolve its approach to crime reporting, ensuring coverage is not only unbiased but also fair and accurate.
Dillon’s internship at Newsday in 2024 was a pivotal experience, teaching her how to report on crime with depth and humanity. Covering arraignments and court proceedings, she learned the importance of observing small details—how a judge reacts, how a defendant presents themselves and what is left unsaid in the courtroom. Her editors encouraged her to go beyond surface-level reporting, following up on stories to ensure the human impact of crime was not lost in the rush of breaking news.
Dillon’s reporting at the Las Vegas Review-Journal continues to focus on crime and public safety. Some of her notable stories include:
UNLV Shooting Investigation: A deep dive into the gunman’s history and the factors leading up to the tragedy.
Henderson Police Transparency: Exposing missing details in a police report that led to a citywide search for a missing teen.
Las Vegas Police Shooting: Analyzing a 911 call that provided crucial insight into a deadly confrontation with law enforcement.
Why Apply for the Chips Quinn Program?
Dillon applied for the Chips Quinn Fellowship seeking mentorship. During her time at Duke, she found guidance from Stephen Buckley, a veteran journalist who shaped her approach to reporting with integrity and sensitivity. Upon graduating, she worried about losing access to that kind of support until she found the Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism. With guidance from her mentor, she has learned how to navigate safety concerns, balance night shifts and address the mental health challenges that can come with crime reporting.
Dillon’s advice is simple but essential: “Trust your instincts, and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself.” In a fast-moving and often high-pressure industry, standing firm in one’s judgment and knowing when to push for support are crucial skills for any journalist.
Message from her Mentor
"Akiya has been a delight to mentor. She is smart, curious and thoughtful in how she approaches journalism and life. I'm impressed with her ability to jump into stories and work under pressure. It has been a delight watching her grow."
Ashleé Clark
Manager, American Journalism Project
Started by Freedom Forum, the original Chips Quinn program helped put college interns into newsrooms across the country. Since its beginnings in 1991, the program has reached more than 1,400 people, many of whom are now in leadership positions for local and national newsrooms. Today, the program aims to offer support to early-career journalists already in their respective newsrooms through a 1:1 mentorship by leading members in the journalism field as well as alumni from the program. Thanks to continued support for the program from Freedom Forum, each Chips Quinn Reporter receives a $10,000 stipend..
About Freedom Forum: Established on July 4, 1991, by USA TODAY founder Al Neuharth, the Freedom Forum is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) foundation dedicated to fostering First Amendment freedoms for all. As the nation’s foremost advocate for First Amendment freedoms, the Freedom Forum engages thousands of Americans each year in classes, conversations and celebrations of these essential rights, including through the Power Shift Project, the annual Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference, the Chips Quinn Scholars Program for Diversity in Journalism, the Al Neuharth Award for Excellence in the Media, the Free Expression Awards, the annual “Where America Stands” survey, the Journalists Memorial and Today’s Front Pages.
About JFP: The mission of Journalism Funding Partners is to strengthen the depth, diversity and sustainability of local news by building and shepherding relationships between funders and local news organizations. JFP is a recognized nonprofit that acts as fiscal sponsor, allowing foundations and individual funders to contribute directly to local news, regardless of the news organization’s business model. JFP manages the funds feeding numerous news initiatives, including more than a dozen Climate reporters in the Southeast, an Equity Desk at The Sacramento Bee, an Education and Economic Mobility Desk in California’s Central Valley, the Investigative Fund of The Miami Herald and for Inclusivity and Investigative funds at the Associated Press.
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Media Contact: Rusty Coats, Executive Director | rusty@jfp-local.org | (813) 277-8959
