Take her word for it
Patrick Henry’s Kennedy Rance shines at ThreeSixty Journalism camp
By Harry Colbert, Jr., editor-in-chief
Today it’s Godwin, tomorrow it’s Rance.
This past April, Kim Godwin made history as the first Black woman to head the news division of a major network when she was named president of ABC News. Do not be surprised when a few years down the line Patrick Henry High School’s Kennedy Rance directing the news coverage at one of the majors – that is if she hasn’t started her own.
Emerging journalist Kennedy Rance, 15. Photo Courtesy Kennedy Rance
Rance, 15, an incoming junior at Henry, is a standout reporter of the ThreeSixty Journalism program and recently finished her third year in the program run by the University of St. Thomas. Rance said she was drawn to reporting as a result of the narrative of North Minneapolis being broadcast by major media outlets.
“Anytime you see us (North Minneapolis) represented on the news it’s always negative, but living here and seeing so much that’s positive, I didn’t understand why that isn’t also captured,” said Rance, who moved to North Minneapolis from Charlotte, N.C. in 2013. “So, that feeds my passion.”
Rance’s most recent reporting with ThreeSixty is on the mental health of Black men and the effects of generational trauma. ThreeSixty partnered with Blue Cross/Blue Shield to produce a series of reports on health during its most recent journalism camp that took place the last week of July.
Offering opportunities to young journalists of underrepresented communities is the mission of ThreeSixty.
“All voices matter, and it’s critical young people uncover their truths, voices and power,” said Chad Caruthers, executive director of ThreeSixty Journalism. “ThreeSixty students change narratives while they’re in the program and many continue to do so beyond it. The results are individual empowerment, more inclusive world views and ultimately a more just society.”
Minnesota Public Radio editor Bill Wareham (right) and student journalist Kennedy Rance make tweeks to her broadcast article on mental health and Black men, which was produced as a part of the ThreeSixty Journalism program. Photo courtesy of ThreeSixty.
Rance plans to continue her career in journalism and is mulling over her college choices. Howard University, MIT and Capetown University in South Africa are at the top of her list.
“I consider myself a global citizen, so I’ve always wanted to attend school abroad,” said Rance, who said she toured Capetown during a 2019 family vacation to South Africa.
In addition to reporting for ThreeSixty, Rance has written for the Star Tribune and is a regular reporter for the Henry News Hour, a weekly broadcast at Patrick Henry.
Examples of Rance’s work can be found at www.threesixty.stthomas.edu/about/kennedy-rance.