Spring 2026’s class of News Creator Corps Trusted Creators will spend the next few weeks honing skills they will use to fight misinformation. Each trainer brings with them a lifetime of experience in areas like citing public documents or interviewing sources.
Based on feedback from last year, and new needs applicants mentioned, this year’s class will focus more on safety and security than previous workshops, both for the creators and their communities. And the core of the NCC program will continue to teach ways to find, understand and cite sources, from government data, medical research, mainstream media, and north star organizations that release data to the public.
In each workshop, creators will learn from these experts, discuss how the skills apply to their beats, and post homework assignments that show the depths of their new skills. Their slides and workshop materials also build out the NCC creator resource library for our cohort and alumni to use as needed.
Meet our Spring 2026 trainers:
Imaeyen Ibanga on citing sources
Imaeyen Ibanga is a presenter, documentarian, and senior producer. The Murrow Awards, The Gracies, and New York Emmys all have recently recognized her work. Imaeyen was made for the internet, which means she’s team kitty cats and comment sections, and memes are her love language. She believes TV is not dying because everything is TV.
The creators whose work adds the most to her life are 404 media, Garrison Hayes, and comedian Alex Falcone.
Steven Potter on research and records
Steven Potter has been a reporter for more than 20 years. On every beat — from politics and public safety to education and entertainment — he’s chased down and demanded access to public records. He regularly argues with judges, lawyers and lawmakers to release documents they would rather keep to themselves. For the past decade, he’s served on the Wisconsin Freedom of Information Council. He’s written for local newspapers, national magazines and nearly every flavor of digital news.
The independent news source whose work adds the most to his life is Isthmus.
Helina Selemon on sources for beat reporting
Helina Selemon has been working as a freelance health and science journalist and researcher for more than four years, weaving between reporting, editing, fact-checking and engagement. She has fact-checked for TED, Popular Science Magazine, and autism news site Spectrum, and written health stories for Health.com and Gastroenterology & Endoscopy News, and worked as audience development lead for the health and science desk at The Associated Press. She has also researched and edited for Since Parkland, a collaborative project between the Miami Herald and The Trace that won an Online Journalism Award in 2019. She has a B.S. in Microbiology from The Ohio State University and an M.A. in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, where she teaches research methods, coaches for Career Services, and serves on the inaugural alumni board. Beyond making science make sense — and science and health journalism more visible and engaging – she enjoys roasting coffee and hosting traditional Ethiopian coffee ceremonies.
Traci Lee on how platforms impact our communities
Traci Lee is an award-winning digital strategist and media leader with a proven track record in content strategy, social media, and audience engagement. She has led impactful digital initiatives across major media brands including NBC News, Sony Pictures Television, The Walt Disney Company, and E! News, where she currently serves as Director of Social. Her work has amplified underrepresented voices, driven record-breaking growth on social and digital platforms, and bridged the gap between legacy and emerging media. A former journalist and producer, Traci’s writing has appeared in Teen Vogue, Variety, and HuffPost, and she is a longtime advocate for alopecia awareness and diversity in media.
The creator whose work adds the most to her life is Annie-Mai Hodge of @girlpowermarketing.
Jessica Parker on PR partnerships
With over 17 years of experience in travel PR and as founder of Trip Whisperer, Jessica Parker (she/her) works across the full spectrum of the industry from airlines and hotel brands to tour operators and tourism boards. Her expertise spans influencer relations, brand partnerships, and innovative campaigns that bring destinations and experiences to life. A decade ago, she launched Trip Whisperer, blending a passion for storytelling with strategic advisory services.
The independent newsroom and creator whose work adds the most to her life is hertelier and Hotels Above Par.
Sydette Harry on safety for your community
Sydette Harry loves to ask questions that help us be as kind or forceful as we need to be with the media. That includes a focus on bias, context and community. She was previously Community Lead at the Coral Project and Editor at the Mozilla Foundation, and she has presented to the UN and Code For America.
Matthew Facciani on identifying bias in misinformation
Matthew Facciani is an interdisciplinary social scientist with a background in neuroscience and psychology and holds a PhD in sociology. He has worked as a researcher at The University of Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University, and Georgetown University. His research focuses on media literacy, misinformation, social networks, political polarization, identities, and artificial intelligence.
Carly Figueroa on media partnerships
Carly Figueroa helps brands and publishers find their people, tell better stories, and grow communities that actually care. She is big on narrative instinct, creative collaboration, and making mission-driven work feel personal.