Chips Quinn Reporter Spotlight: Grace Deng
Posting: Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Grace “Rae” Deng, a politics and government reporter for Snopes, investigates misinformation and analyzes government policies. When they first joined the Chips Quinn fellowship, Deng was a Statehouse Reporter for States Newsroom/Washington State Standard, and covered criminal justice, K-12 education and public health with a focus on underreported issues. Deng’s freelance reporting, primarily focused on race, equity, disability and identity, has appeared in HuffPost, STAT News and other publications. With experience spanning multiple statehouses and a passion for investigative journalism, Deng is committed to shedding light on stories that impact marginalized communities.
Grace “Rae” Deng
Chips Quinn Reporter
Deng was born and raised in Washington state, but spent their high school years in Shanghai, China. Living abroad deepened their appreciation for a free press, as they relied on American news outlets to stay informed about events back home. Their love for storytelling, combined with a belief in journalism’s power to drive change, set them on the path to becoming a reporter.
Deng credits two key internships with shaping their career:
USA Today Ohio Bureau: At 19, they were introduced to the fast-paced world of breaking news and statehouse reporting, learning essential skills like covering legislative sessions and understanding policy.
Minnesota Reformer: During one of the most consequential legislative sessions in Minnesota history, Deng covered major policy changes, including free school meals for all, driver’s licenses for undocumented residents and voting rights restoration. The experience reinforced their ability to juggle breaking news, enterprise stories and daily reporting under tight deadlines.
Deng’s story for the Washington State Standard that won 2nd place SPJ PNW region award
As a statehouse reporter, one of Deng’s priorities was filling gaps in coverage—particularly in criminal justice reporting. After visiting a state prison for a story, they realized how few journalists in Washington regularly cover the corrections system. While they don’t consider themself a replacement for previous investigative reporters, they are committed to ensuring that stories about incarcerated individuals and prison conditions continue to be told.
Deng has tackled a range of critical issues, including an in-depth feature on a prison powwow, where Native families reconnect with incarcerated loved ones for a day of celebration. They also reported on prisoners lobbying the Washington Legislature, a piece that examined how incarcerated individuals push for policy changes and fight for their rights from behind bars. Their reporting balances the reality of the prison system with the humanity of those within it, highlighting the intersection of policy, justice, and individual agency.
As a fact-checker at Snopes, Deng explains complicated policy and legislation to readers, working to ensure the public has what they need to make informed decisions.
Why Apply for the Chips Quinn Program?
Deng applied to the Chips Quinn Fellowship to build a stronger support system in journalism. With statehouse reporting teams shrinking and high turnover in political journalism, they sought after experienced mentorship and professional stability. The fellowship provides both guidance and financial support, helping them stay in the industry. They aim to strengthen their confidence as a reporter and expand their network. They value learning from experienced journalists and emphasize the importance of recognizing how the industry has changed—especially for young reporters navigating today’s challenges.
Deng encourages young journalists to make connections and approach networking as a human interaction, not just professional advancement. They also stress that while journalism is important, it’s not more important than one's well-being—advising newcomers to set boundaries, advocate for fair pay and remember their value in the industry.
Message from her Mentor
"Grace is a force to be reckoned with - committed to our collective mission and working hard to improve her journalism skills. It’s been fun getting to know her and watching her grow. Grace is proof the future of journalism is in good hands. “
Karen Peterson
Former Editor, The News-Tribune in Tacoma & Tampa Bay Times
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
