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E D U C A T I O N
YASMINE JUMAAD I G I T A L , P R I N T A N D
B R O A D C A S T J O U R N A L I S T
Bachelor's degree in Print and
Online Journalism
Virginia Commonwealth University
Expected graduation - May, 2018
804-869-8348
508 N. Monroe St.
Richmond, VA
linkedin.com/in/yasminejumaa
C O N T A C T
Compelling, precise and
accurate reporting
Social media management
such as Facebook, Twitter and
Multi-tasker
Meets deadlines
P R O F E S S I O N A L
S K I L L S
L A N G U A G E S
English
Arabic
Illustrator
InDesign
Audition
Premiere
S K I L L S
E X P E R I E N C E
Covered state government and
politics for Virginia's community
newspapers and other media
outlets
Wrote breaking news and
features about transportation,
schools, the military and other
topics
Several stories distributed by
the Associated Press
Published in The Washington
Post, the Los Angeles Times and
other newspapers across the
U.S.
VCU Capital News Service,
January 2016-present
Translated and transcribed
interviews from English to
Arabic
Worked alongside the senior
news anchor to edit stories
Researched topics and
conducted interviews for the
morning news feature
segments
Middle-East Broadcasting Center
www.mbc.com
Internship, 2011 - 2012
Cancer center would honor ‘immortal’ Henrietta Lackswashingtonpost.com/local/cancer-center-would-honor-immortal-henrietta-lacks/2018/03/16/56819ac8-2961-11e8-a227-
fd2b009466bc_story.html
RICHMOND, Va. — The year was 1951. The place: Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore,where Henrietta Lacks, a native of Halifax County, Virginia, sought treatment for cervicalcancer.
Doctors made a remarkable discovery about Lacks’ tumor: The cells remained alive andmultiplied outside her body, creating the first immortal cell line. Since then, her cells havehelped researchers develop the polio vaccine, chemotherapy, in vitro fertilization and othermedical breakthroughs.
Lacks was never compensated for her contribution to science. She died in 1951 and wasburied in an unmarked grave in her hometown.
Now, Virginia plans to recognize Lacks by establishing a cancer research and treatment centerin her name in Halifax County. The General Assembly recently approved legislationauthorizing the project to honor the woman who gave the medical world the immortal HeLa cellline.
It is a fitting tribute, said Adele Newson-Horst, vice president of the nonprofit Henrietta LacksLegacy Group.
“Her cells were and continue to be an astronomical asset to the scientific and medical world,”Newson-Horst said. “The significance of her contribution to the world - not Virginia, not justMaryland, but the world - cannot be overstated.”
The General Assembly unanimously passed two bills - House Bill 1415 and Senate Bill 171 - tocreate the Henrietta Lacks Commission, which will have nine members, including stateofficials, representatives of the Lacks family and local officials from Halifax County.
The commission’s goal will be to establish a public-private partnership to create the HenriettaLacks Life Sciences Center in Halifax County. The center would use biodata tools to conductcancer research, provide cancer treatment to rural Southside Virginia and incubate biotechbusinesses in the region.
Del. James Edmunds, R-Halifax, and Sen. Bill Stanley, R-Franklin, sponsored the legislation atthe request of the Halifax Industrial Development Authority. Edmunds called the project “agreat economic driver for Halifax County” and said it “will hopefully bring some answers as towhy the cancer rate is so high.”
“I would love to see new technology and techniques developed in a new center here,”Edmunds said.
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Science has advanced significantly since Lacks’ treatment at Johns Hopkins. In recent years,attention has focused on the ethics surrounding her case: Cells were taken from her bodywithout her consent. Some said that was wrong; others said it reflected medical ethics of thetime. Moreover, Lacks was an African-American woman from a poor family, and somewondered whether race was a factor.
Those issues were explored in a 2010 book, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,” the basisfor an HBO movie that came out last year. Last week, The New York Times published abelated obituary about Lacks, who the newspaper said had been overlooked when she died 66years ago.
Belated recognition is what the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority had in mindwhen it proposed the Henrietta Lacks Life Sciences Center.
“She left Halifax County . in the 1940s because of the lack of economic opportunities forAfrican-American women. We’re trying to change that and bring her legacy back,” said MattLeonard, the authority’s executive director.
He said the agency ran the idea by two of Lacks’ grandchildren and members of her legacygroup.
“We got an immediate, very positive response from the family which we’re absolutely andimminently grateful for, because without their support, their championing this to their family andto other members of the community, we couldn’t do this project,” Leonard said.
Henrietta Lacks’ granddaughter Jerri Lacks said the family wholeheartedly supports the effort.
“Words can’t explain how excited I am just to be part of the commission and to know that ourgrandmother is being honored in such a great way,” Lacks said. “What I hope it will accomplishis that people will be more aware of her contributions to science, and her legacy can continueto give people hope for a better life.”
This story was produced by the Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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It was a choice to pay those high tolls on I-66, says statetransportation chief
potomaclocal.com/2018/01/09/choice-pay-high-tolls-66-says-state-transportation-chief/
RICHMOND – A month after the fury overwhat many drivers considered excessive tollson Interstate 66, Secretary of TransportationAubrey Layne defended the tolls, saying theyare necessary for increasing the flow of trafficon the highway in Northern Virginia.
The tolls, which vary based on demand andamount of traffic, have reached as high as$44 for a 10-mile drive since they wereimplemented on Dec. 4.
“I would’ve anticipated that happening a lotlower than the $44, but it did not,” Layne said.“People chose to pay it, but it was a choice.Our other option is we could just limit the roadwhen it reaches a certain level [to] HOV users. The issue with that is that we’re taking awaythat choice for the people who want to pay it.”
Layne spoke Tuesday to the General Assembly’s Joint Commission on TransportationAccountability. His report came a month after Del. Tim Hugo of Fairfax, who chairs the HouseRepublican Caucus, called the I-66 tolls “exorbitant” and “unacceptable.”
The tolling is in effect weekdays only, during rush hours and in the peak direction, on about 10miles of I-66, from Route 29 in Rosslyn to Interstate 495.
Sen. Frank Wagner, R-Virginia Beach, said the high tolls are a result of a lack of state fundingfor road projects.
“This is all symptomatic of not having enough money to begin with to build the highways,”Wagner said. “We’re having to do these unique types of programs to build these highways.”
Del.-elect Danica Roem, a Democrat from Manassas, told Layne about constituents hit hard bythe tolls. They included a combat veteran with post-traumatic stress disorder who must driveby himself as a part of his treatment. The constituent said that avoiding the tolls added 45minutes to his commute.
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Layne insisted that commuters can take alternate routes such as Route 50 and the GeorgeWashington Memorial Parkway. But another constituent Roem spoke to said he commutesfrom Manassas Park to Georgetown and cannot take any alternate pathways. The driverstated that he does not know how to budget his money due to the varying tolls.
“That’s the beast of the dynamic tolling process: You don’t know what it’s going to be each dayuntil the time you get there because it’s basically volume control,” Roem said. “He [theconstituent from Manassas Park] had a number of concerns with this.”
Layne said the revenue from the tolls goes toward funding other transportation projects.
“They will help pay for the road construction; they will help pay for multi-modal transportationand operation of the road,” Layne said.
After monitoring the corridors surrounding I-66 and alternative routes, Layne said that so farthe data indicated no significant change in travel time on those routes.
“We need to continue to monitor this, and it may require that we do adjustments, but as of rightnow we do not see any significant impact to these parallel corridors,” Layne said.
Last month, Hugo released a statement criticizing Layne and Gov. Terry McAuliffe on the tollrates.
“Governor McAuliffe has gone on TV several times this week saying $40 toll prices are the way‘it’s supposed to work.’ I could not disagree more,” Hugo said. “The hard-working people ofNorthern Virginia should not be forced to get a part-time job to be able to afford to drive to theirfull-time job.”
These are Layne’s final days as the commonwealth’s secretary of transportation. Gov.-electRalph Northam has appointed former Lynchburg lawmaker Shannon Valentine to the position.
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The Washington Post
Local
Delegates tout bills toimprove prison guards’jobs
By By Yasmine Jumaa and Brandon Celentano | APYasmine Jumaa and Brandon Celentano | AP January 23 at 8:40 PMJanuary 23 at 8:40 PM
RICHMOND, Va. — Correctional officers from across Virginia watched Tuesday as a state lawmaker urged supportRICHMOND, Va. — Correctional officers from across Virginia watched Tuesday as a state lawmaker urged support
for legislation aimed at reducing turnover among prison guards and making it easier for them to get workers’for legislation aimed at reducing turnover among prison guards and making it easier for them to get workers’
compensation.compensation.
“I think currently we have a tremendous injustice going on,” said Del. John Bell, D-Loudoun. “Out of the 14“I think currently we have a tremendous injustice going on,” said Del. John Bell, D-Loudoun. “Out of the 14
(categories of) peace officers in Virginia, the only peace officer who does not get the presumption of disability is our(categories of) peace officers in Virginia, the only peace officer who does not get the presumption of disability is our
correctional officer.”correctional officer.”
Bell is sponsoring House Bill 107, which would add correctional officers to the list of public safety employees entitledBell is sponsoring House Bill 107, which would add correctional officers to the list of public safety employees entitled
to receive workers’ compensation under the presumption that hypertension, heart disease and other ailments mayto receive workers’ compensation under the presumption that hypertension, heart disease and other ailments may
stem from their stressful jobs. Bell said some correctional officers develop post-traumatic stress disorder.stem from their stressful jobs. Bell said some correctional officers develop post-traumatic stress disorder.
“The stress levels on officers is very high, which could lead to a variety of different heart diseases over prolonged“The stress levels on officers is very high, which could lead to a variety of different heart diseases over prolonged
periods of time,” Bell said. “It’s a tough and hazardous job where officers have been measured with PTSD that farperiods of time,” Bell said. “It’s a tough and hazardous job where officers have been measured with PTSD that far
exceeds combat veterans.”exceeds combat veterans.”
Bell has also introduced HB 108, which would require the Virginia Department of Corrections to conduct an exitBell has also introduced HB 108, which would require the Virginia Department of Corrections to conduct an exit
survey of correctional officers who quit. The survey would ask them about work conditions and other concerns thatsurvey of correctional officers who quit. The survey would ask them about work conditions and other concerns that
may contribute to high turnover.may contribute to high turnover.
Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Sussex, said low salaries may be a factor.Del. Roslyn Tyler, D-Sussex, said low salaries may be a factor.
“You have to work two, three jobs sometimes to address your needs and your family’s because your salaries aren’t up“You have to work two, three jobs sometimes to address your needs and your family’s because your salaries aren’t up
to par to make a living,” said Tyler, who is co-sponsoring the two bills. “That is just totally unreasonable.”to par to make a living,” said Tyler, who is co-sponsoring the two bills. “That is just totally unreasonable.”
According to a 2017 study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, more than 20 percent of salariedAccording to a 2017 study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, more than 20 percent of salaried
correctional officers are eligible for food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.correctional officers are eligible for food stamps under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The JLARC study said correctional officers’ difficult jobs and low salaries may hurt attracting and retainingThe JLARC study said correctional officers’ difficult jobs and low salaries may hurt attracting and retaining
employees. Virginia prison guards had a 17 percent turnover rate over the past two years, and 16 percent of theemployees. Virginia prison guards had a 17 percent turnover rate over the past two years, and 16 percent of the
positions have been vacant, the study said.positions have been vacant, the study said.
HB 107 has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. On Tuesday, theHB 107 has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House Commerce and Labor Committee. On Tuesday, the
subcommittee voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the bill.subcommittee voted 4-3 to recommend approval of the bill.
HB 108 has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.HB 108 has been assigned to a subcommittee of the House Committee on Militia, Police and Public Safety.
This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewrittenCopyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten
or redistributed.or redistributed.
* 0 Comments
By Capital NewsService
Virginia teen skates her way to Winter Olympic gameswtvr.com/2018/02/09/virginia-teen-skates-her-way-to-winter-olympic-games/
RESTON, Va. — Eighteen-year-old Maame Biney of Reston is breaking ice, and records, asthe first African-American woman to qualify for the U.S. Olympic short-track speedskating teamafter two 500-meter victories at her December trials.
Born in Ghana, Biney came to the U.S. when she was 5 to visit her father, Kweku, and neverleft. It didn’t take long before Biney was drawn to an ice rink, after her father pointed out a signthat advertised figure skating classes.
“We were driving down this street right here – Sunset Hills Road,” Kweku Biney told TheWashington Post. “I saw the sign in front of the rink. It said, ‘Learn to skate.’ I asked her,‘Maame, you want to try this?’”
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Maame Biney (center) and other skaters(Courtesy of Maame Biney)
Biney jumped at the opportunity. She was so fast the instructor suggested she tryspeedskating.
Biney started in Kids on Ice, a beginner speedskating program in Washington. That meant theBineys had to wake up at 5 a.m. to make it to the Fort Dupont Ice Arena by 6 a.m. Thepractices were led by three-time Olympian Nathaniel Mills, who said he was in awe of MaameBiney’s dedication.
“She wasn’t deterred by the fact that she was taking up a difficult sport,” Mills told CapitalNews Service. “She came to the rink every Saturday morning eager to learn.”
Mills, who now runs DC Inner City Excellence, a year-round skating-based youth developmentprogram, said Biney’s passion and perseverance distinguish her from other skaters.
“She’s more explosive of a skater than many of her peers in the United States, and hertenacity as a competitor also sets her apart,” Mills said. “Her own drive, her father’s sacrificesand her love of skating and competing are the three biggest factors to any athlete’s success –and Maame’s got all three.”
Mills said Biney’s father played a significant role in his daughter’s success, putting “everypenny he made into her career and into her opportunities.”
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Biney is the youngest woman on the U.S. short-track team. At this year’s games, she is upagainst competitors who have the home turf advantage: 21 of South Korea’s 26 winter goldmedals have come from short-track speedskating.
Biney will compete in the 500- and 1,500-meter races. She has an upper hand at the shorterdistance since setting a personal record at the Olympic trials of 43.161 seconds in the 500-meter race.
Maame Biney (back left) and other skaters(Courtesy of Maame Biney)
This is just the beginning for Biney, Mills said.
“I think the confidence that came with her performance at the trials, coupled with theexperience she’s going to get at these games, will lead to her being among the favorites in thenext Olympics in Beijing, China,” Mills said. “She’ll be one of the marquee athletes becauseher personality is real and her talent is next level.”
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Biney has garnered fans across the country and even the world. It’s because she’s sorelatable, Mills said.
“I know who she is and what she’s doing means a lot to a whole lot of people that identifythemselves by their nation’s state of Ghana, or by being a woman, or because of her skincolor, or being from Northern Virginia,” Mills said. “Maame’s pretty easy to root for.”
According to her profile on the Team USA website, Biney is wrapping up her senior year ofhigh school through online courses and plans to study chemical engineering in college. AtSouth Lakes High School in Reston, Biney is best known for her happy-go-lucky demeanor.
“She is so funny and takes everything so positively,” Biney’s former classmate Kriti Shuklasaid. “She is the most open and happy person in the class.”
By Yasmine Jumaa/Capital News Service
Capital News Service is a flagship program of VCU’s Robertson School of Media andCulture. Students participating in the program provide state government coverage forVirginia’s community newspapers and other media outlets, under the supervision ofAssociate Professor Jeff South.
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Salamander Wriggling Its Way Into State Law
www.washingtonpost.com/local/salamander-wriggling-its-way-into-state-law/2018/01/29/b5bd76e2-0562-11e8-aa61-
f3391373867e_story.html
By Sarah Danial and Yasmine Jumaa | AP By Sarah Danial and Yasmine Jumaa | AP January
29
RICHMOND, Va. — A bill slithering through the legislative process would designate the red
salamander as Virginia’s official state salamander. If the amphibious creature gets the honor, it
can thank a group of young nature conservationists.
The Salamander Savers is a 4-H Club based in Fairfax whose members, age 8 to 18, are
determined to find solutions for environmental problems. The club started in 2015 when three
children wanted to save salamanders from a local lake.
“When our lake was dredged and my kids asked me questions that I could not answer, as a
home-schooling mother, I made it my mission to try to find answers to their questions,” said
Anna Kim, the club’s adult leader and mother of Jonah Kim, 14, the club’s president.
Her children asked what would happen to the animals living in or near the lake. They were
concerned to learn that dredging can disrupt their environment, which could eventually lead to
possible extinction. Jonah’s mother recalled her son’s words.
“He once told me that he wanted to give a voice to the animals who couldn’t speak for
themselves,” Anna Kim said.
As a result, Del. Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, is sponsoring HB 459, which would add the red
salamander (officially, Pseudotriton ruber) to the state’s list of official designations. The list
currently includes 35 items, from the official beverage (milk) and rock (Nelsonite) to the official
television series (”Song of the Mountains,” a PBS program showcasing Appalachian music).
Filler-Corn hopes her bill will inspire the 4H Club members to get involved politically.
“I am excited to introduce these bright young activists to the civic process,” Filler-Corn said. “It
is my hope that this is just the beginning of their engagement with government and that they
will continue their advocacy for years to come.”
The bill was approved by a subcommittee on a 6-2 vote last week. The House General Laws
Committee is scheduled to consider the bill Tuesday.
Jonah Kim and his fellow 4-H’ers thought carefully about which salamander species should
represent Virginia.
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“We chose the red salamander because it lives in a variety of different habitats throughout
Virginia,” he said. “We thought it was easily recognizable and would be interesting to people
who have never seen a salamander.”
He said the club hopes the legislation will help raise awareness of salamanders, a species
less tolerant of environmental disruptions than frogs and other amphibians. The Salamander
Savers are encouraging the public to write a letter to their legislators stating their support.
This story was produced by Virginia Commonwealth University’s Capital News Service.
Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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