Freelance Journalist

Posted by Penny Dickerson on January 15, 2017 in About, Journalism

Contact: pennydickersonwrites@gmail.com

Penny Dickerson is an independent journalist with a passion for cool people, extraordinary places, and good sushi.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Temple University (Philadelphia, PA) and an Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing from Lesley University (Cambridge, MA).

Passionate about words and writing, Penny has augmented her freelance writing life by previously working as an adjunct English professor at Florida State College at Jacksonville where she once taught English composition and Humanities courses including Writing for Non-Fiction, Introduction to Literature, & Film and Literature.

Media contributions include: Orlando Arts Magazine, Jacksonville Arts & Business Magazine (ARBUS), EBONY.com, New America Media, Equal Voice, Miami Times,Mosaic Literary Magazine, Florida Times-Union, Florida Courier, Philadelphia Stories, Daytona Times, Tallahassee Women’s Magazine and others.

Journalism fellowships awarded include the New America Media Four Freedoms Fund Fellowship (2013); Henry Frank Guggenheim Fellowship (2015); Marguerite Casey Equal Voice Fellowship (2015); Journalists in Aging Fellows Program (2016). Continue Reading »

Tags: Arts, Community, Composition, Culture, Education, Florida Courier, Healthcare, Performing Arts, Women's Literature Permalink

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Re-Discovering America: The Kinsey Collection

Posted by Penny Dickerson on June 17, 2017 in Arts, Blog, Bold and Bodacious Blogs, Community, Journalism

Click link to read: “Re-Discovering America: The Kinsey Collection

http://issuu.com/cfcgllc/docs/floridacourier_03202015/9?e=4739009/11932914

One of my favorite subjects and three of my favorite people are Bernard, Shirley, and Khalil Kinsey: The Kinsey Family.

Not only is their commitment to family and each other admirable, but what a story! A genuine American fairytale of how perseverance, patience, commitment, and keeping your heart in the right place will lead to bringing your dreams into fruition and making a difference in the world.

The Kinsey Collection is one our “jewels.” Continue Reading »

Tags: Arts, Bernard Kinsey, Community, Culture, Disney Dreamers Academy 2015, Education, Epcot, Florida Courier, Khalil Kinsey, Shirley Kinsey, The Black Family, The Kinsey Collection, Walt Disney World Resorts Permalink

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Ron Davis: Father and Foot Soldier for Justice

Posted by Penny Dickerson on June 2, 2017 in Community, Editorial, Journalism, Politics

http://issuu.com/cfcgllc/docs/floridacourier_06192015/3?e=4739009/13605054

FROM FATHER TO FOOT SOLDIER

June 19, 2015 Filed under FRONT PAGE, NATIONAL, NEWS

Since the murder of his youngest son, Ron Davis has become a national advocate for justice.

BY PENNY DICKERSON
FLORIDA COURIER

Father’s Day celebrations are tough for Ron Davis. The June holiday reserved for Hallmark cards and the gifting of new ties has remained solemn since the Nov. 23, 2012 death of his 17-year-old son, Jordan.

Jordan Davis endures a clothing inspection from his dad, Ron.

Davis said he will spend Father’s Day clutching the final letter Jordan wrote. In it, Jordan declared his dad his “hero.”

The student at Samuel Wolfson High School in Jacksonville was killed when Michael Dunn, a 45-year-old White male, sprayed a round of bullets into the parked SUV at a Jacksonville gas station where Davis and three friends were listening to rap music. Continue Reading »

Tags: 3 1/2 Minutes Documentary, Gate Gas Station, H.F. Guggenheim Foundation, John Jay Center on Media Crime and Justice, Jordan Davis, Loud Music Case, Ron Davis, Samuel Wolfson Senior High School, Sundance Film Festival Permalink

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Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin: “Agent of Change”

Posted by Penny Dickerson on May 31, 2017 in Community, Journalism, Politics

October 16, 2014 Filed under BUSINESS, FLORIDA, METRO, RELIGION

2013-Bishop__in_Gray_Suit

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin of The Potter’s House International Ministries in Jacksonville continues to serve parishioners and patrons through the church’s thriving mall and academy.

BY PENNY DICKERSON

SPECIAL TO THE COURIER

Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin keeps it real. He is the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House International Ministries and approaches evangelism with a Bible-based, down-to-earth approach.

A people-person who welcomes smart phones in the pulpit to capture baptismal moments, he is an ad-hoc comic with a servant’s heart. Moreover, he is an agent of change focused on economic empowerment – a multimillion-dollar community epicenter is his testament. Continue Reading »

Tags: Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, Kingdom Plaza, Lady Narlene McLaughlin, Soul Food Bistro, Temple Builders, The Potter's House Christian Academy, The Potter's House International Ministries Permalink

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Flagler County: Jim Crow, Discrimination, Class Action

Posted by Penny Dickerson on May 21, 2017 in Journalism

http://daytonatimes.com/2015/08/mission-accomplished-for-flagler-students-naacp/

Mission accomplished for Flagler students, NAACP

August 20, 2015 Filed under DAYTONA BEACH, LEAD STORIES, NEWS

Dr. Amir Whitaker, who spearheaded a complaint against the district for racial disparities in school discipline, will speak at the Aug. 29 Freedom Fund Banquet in Palm Coast.

BY PENNY DICKERSON
DAYTONA TIMES

The Flagler County NAACP annual Freedom Fund Banquet will be celebrated on Aug. 29 with a heightened triumph, thanks to its scheduled keynote speaker Dr. Amir Whitaker, attorney and educator for the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

150820_dt_front01 A civil rights and education stalwart, Whitaker spearheaded a federal civil rights complaint that led to a recent settlement between the SPLC and Flagler County School Board aimed at ending racially discriminatory school discipline directed toward Black students, which includes excessive suspensions or expulsions.

The class-action victory was reached in June following a three-year battle that began in 2012 when the Montgomery, Ala.-based organization filed a formal complaint on behalf of three African-American students and a same-race populous of others whose education and civil rights were similarly affected. Continue Reading »

Tags: Dr. Amir Whitaker, Flagler County, Flagler County NAACP, Freedom Fund Banquet, Jim Crow States, Out of School Suspension, Southern Poverty Law Center Permalink

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FLOTUS Speech calls for Party Unity

Posted by Penny Dickerson on May 11, 2017 in Blog, Journalism, Political Blogs, Politics

Miami Times Front Fold

Speech by FLOTUS calls for party unity to beat Trump

By Penny Dickerson Special to The Miami Times | 7/27/2016, 2 p.m.

Michelle Obama at the DNC Monday said passion is needed to elect Hillary Clinton as president.

A timely balm to heal and unify the Democratic Party came following rifts that challenged the organization’s integrity. Dynamic speeches delivered by said Sen. Cory Booker, D-NJ, and First Lady Michelle Obama both won the hearts and ignited delegates during the kick-off of the Democratic National Convention (DNC), which convened in Philadelphia July 25-28.

“We can’t devolve into a nation where our highest aspiration is that we tolerate each other. We are not called to be a nation of tolerance. We are called to be a nation of love,” Booker said. Image result for corey booker at the democratic national convention

Booker’s thunderous oratory and prevailing words served as a motivational springboard to help unite a party that remains divided following a contested primary between the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who continues to court a legion of passionate supporters.

Delegates representing the 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam convened July 25-28 in the nation’s birthplace to participate in four days of caucus gatherings, momentous speeches and the pivotal task of Tuesday’s roll call. Clinton is expected to accept the party’s nomination, which, if elected, will make the former New York Senator and Secretary of State the first woman to be president of the United States of America. Democrats are hoping Clinton will gain momentum to defeat Trump following the convention.

Tags: Alcee Hastings, Ben Jealous, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Democratic National Convention, Donna Brazile, FLOTUS, Hillary Clinton, Miami Times, Michelle Obama, Percy Johnson, Senator Corey Booker Permalink

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Angela Robinson “Jacksonville’s OWN Star!”

Posted by Penny Dickerson on May 1, 2017 in Arts, Blog, Bold and Bodacious Blogs, Community, Journalism

Kudos to Angela Robinson for serving as a master-example of how a girl with a dream can become a woman boasting stardom. She is a Jacksonville-native and graduate of William M. Raines High School who has journeyed a route to be admired and an apt lesson for all who dare to dream and are confronted with the “fear of failure.”

What knows Angela Robinson of failure? Nothing. Disappointments? Yes, but she has persevered and shares with readers how they, too, can do the same.

Click the Link below to read: Angela Robinson, “Jacksonville’s OWN Star!”

http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=186755&p=52

Beyond her natural beauty is an admirable narrative that takes readers from the halls of her high school years to the Broadway stage. Now, she’s a leading television actress on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network in Tyler Perry’s first scripted drama, “The Haves and The Have Nots.”

Click the Link below to read: Angela Robinson, “Jacksonville’s OWN Star!”

http://www.mydigitalpublication.com/publication/?i=186755&p=52

Tags: Angela Robinson, Broadway, Master Acting Classes, Oprah Winfrey Network, OWN, Performing Arts Careers, The Haves and The Have Nots, Tyler Perry Permalink

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Equal Voice National Magazine

Posted by Penny Dickerson on April 30, 2017 in Community, Fellowship & Grant Proposals, Journalism

Equal Voice Fellowship and Scholarship Stories 2015 · Poverty · South ·

Homeless Students in America: What Are We Doing to Help?

By Penny Dickerson | Special to Equal Voice News on January 12, 2016

Rajni Shankar-Brown moderates a student panel last year at Stetson University’s Poverty and Homeless Conference. Seated from left are Osceola County Homeless Liaison Gabriela Barros, Chantial Vasquez, Tiffaney Langhorne, Alexander Greene, Chyina Powell and Bryanna Anderson. Photo by Penny Dickerson — Rajni Gigi Shankar-Brown moderates a student panel last year at Stetson University’s Poverty and Homeless Conference. Seated from left are Osceola County Homeless Liaison Gabriela Barros, Chantial Vasquez, Tiffaney Langhorn, Alexander Greene, Chyina Powell and Bryanna Anderson. Photo by Penny Dickerson

DELAND, Fla. — Bryanna Anderson is an African-American senior enrolled at Mainland High School in Daytona Beach. Amidst tears and fragile nerves, she shared an emotional story that chronicles a life of poverty and homelessness.

Tags: Community, Education, Equal Voice, Homeless Students in America, Marguerite Casey Foundation, PHC, Stetson University Permalink

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FROM FATHER TO FOOT SOLDIER

Since the murder of his youngest son, Ron Davis has become a national advocate for justice.

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Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin of The Potter’s House International Ministries in Jacksonville continues to serve parishioners and patrons through the church’s thriving mall and academy.

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Mission accomplished for Flagler students, NAACP

Dr. Amir Whitaker, who spearheaded a complaint against the district for racial disparities in school discipline, will speak at the Aug. 29 Freedom Fund Banquet in Palm Coast.

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Speech by FLOTUS calls for party unity to beat Trump

By Penny Dickerson Special to The Miami Times | 7/27/2016, 2 p.m.

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Homeless Students in America: What Are We Doing to Help?

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