Dianne Heimer

Sacramento City College journalism professor Dianne Heimer and Sacramento Voices alum Burt Clemons used heartfelt and inspirational words to describe the importance of community journalism at a Sacramento Voices training workshop in February.

Heimer examined how traditional media outlets overlook stories in many South Sacramento neighborhoods, unless the stories involve crime.

“You are the only people who can tell the real stories from those neighborhoods, because you live there and are part of the community,” she said. “This is a significant and wonderful opportunity.”

Burt Clemons

Clemons, who has built upon his video work for Sacramento Voices to become a professional voice talent and announcer, noted, “If I can do it, so can you. Anybody can, if you stick to it and work hard.”

Both Heimer and Clemons noted the legacy of the Robert Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, which sponsors Voices training in community journalism and websites in Sacramento and Oakland.

Founded more than three decades ago by Robert Maynard, late publisher of the Oakland Tribune, the institute is iconic in American journalism for its work in diversifying the nation’s newsroom.