BALTIMORE, Md. — José Martínez, founder of VOZ NYC and an Emmy Award-winning journalist with 69 News in Pennsylvania, helped lead a national networking session during the 79th Education Writers Association (EWA) National Seminar, held this week in Baltimore.
The annual conference brought together hundreds of journalists, editors, educators, researchers, and media professionals from across the United States to discuss the future of education reporting and the challenges facing schools, students, and communities.
Martínez, who also serves on EWA’s Journalist Advisory Board, co-facilitated a networking and community-building session alongside Maritza L. Félix, founder of Conecta Arizona. The session brought together journalists from diverse backgrounds to discuss career development, storytelling, mentorship, and the importance of building professional connections across newsrooms.
As part of the gathering, participants were invited to reflect on the personal and professional experiences that shaped their careers, creating opportunities for conversation and collaboration among journalists representing organizations from across the country.
“One of the most valuable parts of journalism is the community we build with one another,” Martínez said. “These conversations help strengthen relationships, encourage collaboration, and remind us that none of us are doing this work alone.”
Founded in 1947, the Education Writers Association is one of the nation’s leading organizations supporting journalists who cover education. The annual National Seminar features workshops, panel discussions, training opportunities, and networking events focused on issues affecting students, families, educators, and communities.
For Martínez, the conference also represented another opportunity to elevate the mission of VOZ NYC, an independent media and storytelling platform dedicated to highlighting diverse voices, community stories, and meaningful conversations across cultures.
The seminar concluded with discussions focused on innovation in journalism, educational equity, artificial intelligence, student success, and the evolving role of reporters in helping communities better understand the issues shaping schools nationwide.
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