Ava Thompson Greenwell

Growing up as a public school student from the South Side of Chicago, Professor Ava Thompson Greenwell’s experience as an undergraduate at Northwestern was a “very different world” than the one she had grown accustomed to.

The first to attend college in her family, Professor Greenwell realized her interest in broadcast journalism in seventh grade at a Chicago State Gifted Program. “The idea of taking writing to the microphone was really interesting to me,” she said. This initial passion has resulted in a very successful career. Since 1993, Professor Greenwell has been teaching journalism to Medill students. Her additional accomplishments include teaching video journalism, co-directing Medill’s South Africa Journalism Residency Program, and producing the documentary “Mission Impossible, Chicago’s Free South Africa Movement.”

With a focus on the juncture of gender, race and reporting, Professor Greenwell discussed that many male bosses underestimated her abilities because she is a black woman. She was frequently pegged for stereotypically “female” beats (such as education or fashion). Greenwell asserted that while women should have the ability to cover such beats, this does not mean they should be “shut out of other fields” or stories. Moreover, she insisted the easiest way for minorities to avoid microaggressions in the workplace is to confront as quickly as possible. The victim is able to educate the aggressor on his or her behavior and, therefore, avoid future incidents. This process and discussion is also therapeutic for the victim. When microaggressions go ignored, the victim’s stress can fester and cause both physical and psychological impacts.

Looking to the future, Professor Greenwell plans on expanding her research into podcasting and academic coaching. A true journalist and public servant at heart, Greenwell hopes her work will help people “who want to make a change in their lives” succeed.