Leah Donnella
Leah Donnella is an editor on NPR's Code Switch team, where she helps produce and edit for the Code Switch podcast, blog, and newsletter. She created the "Ask Code Switch" series, where members of the team respond to listener questions about how race, identity, and culture come up in everyday life.
Donnella originally came to NPR in September 2015 as an intern for Code Switch. Prior to that, she was a summer intern at WHYY's Public Media Commons, where she helped teach high school students the ins and outs of journalism and film-making. She spent a lot of time out in the hot Philly sun tracking down unsuspecting tourists for on-the-street interviews. She also worked at the University of Pennsylvania in the department of College Houses and Academic Resources.
Donnella graduated from Pomona College with a Bachelor of Arts in Africana Studies.
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A lot has changed in the U.S. over two centuries. One thing that hasn't? How we talk about poor white people.
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Our Word Watch series explores the term "white trash." Some people embrace it. But experts say it demeans both the people it's applied to and people of color.
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There are lots of misconceptions about dark skin and sunshine. One of the most common? That black people can't get skin cancer. -
In a new book, historian Marc Dollinger argues that the conventional wisdom of Jewish and African-American harmony during the civil rights era is flawed. And that the real story has lessons for today. -
Families have played a huge role in helping new immigrants succeed, argues UCLA Professor Hiroshi Motomura. Changing the rules would dramatically change the face of immigration. -
Always! Never! Sometimes? You had some strong opinions. -
We got more than 100 letters from our listeners about how y'all feel like fakes. Here are some of our favorites. -
This week on Ask Code Switch, a question from a Florida high school student who wants to know how to fight against injustice without antagonizing his teachers. -
New year, new stories. Let us know which topics, stories and notable people you want us to cover in the coming year. -
In need of some racially diverse children's Christmas literature? Here's our holiday Code Switch sampler.
