Chips Quinn Reporter Spotlight: Sam Kesler
Posting: Thursday, September 19, 2024
Sam Yellowhorse Kesler, an Assistant Producer at NPR’s Planet Money, is one of the talented reporters in the Chips Quinn Program for Diversity in Journalism. His unconventional journey into the field of journalism is a testament to his adaptability and dedication to telling compelling stories across different media.
Kesler was initially interested in the music industry, but a shift happened when he realized his interests matched better with capturing and analyzing cultural moments. Pitching concert reviews to his college radio station’s blog allowed him to explore the field while also being able to attend free concerts. This experience led him to WXPN, a listener-supported station, where he was inspired by the community built around public radio. From there, his focus moved towards working in audio journalism.
Sam Kesler
Chips Quinn Reporter
One of the most influential aspects of Kesler’s education was a college class taught by Eugene Lew, who works extensively in stage and field recording. The class provided Sam with practical skills that he still uses today. It’s these technical foundations that have helped Kesler succeed in his current role at NPR.
Photo credit: (Amanda Aronczyk / NPR)
Kesler’s passion for journalism is rooted in his love for music and film. As a contributor to Pop Culture Happy Hour, NPR’s podcast on pop culture, he finds himself drawn to subjects that resonate with broad audiences. He enjoys the challenge of exploring how different forms of storytelling—through sound, visuals and narrative—shape people’s experiences and emotions.
One of Kesler’s recent projects that stands out is his piece on Pantone, the company known for standardizing color across industries like fashion and design. His report examined the control Pantone exerts over the industry and the cost implications of their color products. Through interviews with figures such as the former president of Pantone and a Queens-based fabric dyer working for Disney World, Kesler’s story highlighted the complex dynamics between creativity and corporate influence.
Photo credit: (Sequoia Carrillo / NPR)
Why Apply for the Chips Quinn Program?
Kesler said he applied to the Chips Quinn Reporters Program because of its strong focus on diversity in journalism and the opportunities it offers for young journalists to grow within a supportive community. He mentioned that the program’s goals align with his vision of bringing more diverse perspectives into the media landscape. Kesler is focused on enhancing his production skills and becoming more independent in his work. He’s particularly interested in improving his ability to shape stories efficiently and collaborate effectively on complex projects.
When asked to provide advice to aspiring journalists, he emphasized the importance of being open to opportunities. He mentioned how small, unpaid contributions to his school newspaper during the pandemic led to valuable experiences, including producing a podcast and securing an internship at NPR. These moments of saying "yes" were pivotal in shaping his career.
Message From His Mentor
“Samuel Kesler might be missing his calling -- comedy. Besides being a highly intelligent, articulate and energetic personality, Samuel's humor fills any room he occupies with joy. I believe he has a great future ahead, and I'm confident his love of journalism and his humorous spirit will carry him far.”
Kevin Abourezk is a citizen of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and deputy managing editor of ICTNews.org, which features Native American news and information. In his nearly 25-year career, he has written about Native American people and stories, and he has been an editor and reporter at the Lincoln Journal Star. He has received many national awards and been a mentor with several Native journalism and leadership organizations. He received a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of South Dakota, and he serves on several community and national boards.
Kevin Abourezk
Deputy Managing Editor, ICT News
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
