Kendall CiesemierJOURNALIST | PRODUCER | WRITER

Chicago native, New York-based producer, writer, and social entrepreneur Kendall Ciesemier has been making waves with breaking news stories and interviews about social causes. When she was just 11 years old, she started Kids Caring 4 Kids to empower young people to help provide basic human needs to children living in sub-Saharan Africa. She also co-founded OWN IT, a women’s leadership initiative to empower college-aged women to engage with women leaders.

She currently works as a Opinion Video Producer and Reporter for the New York Times, having previously worked as a Producer and Correspondent for MIC where her topics ranged from criminal justice reform, racial justice, the #MeToo movement, and more. Her interview with Alice Marie Johnson, a woman serving life without parole for a first-time nonviolent drug offense, helped lead to Johnson’s clemency being granted.

SNAPSHOT
Program Studied at NYFA: Documentary
Program Type: 6-Week Documentary
Year Attended/Graduated: 2017
Location: New York