“I am Ready to Tell Your Stories”
By Marion Apio | Contributing Writer | California Local News Fellow
Moving from the Bay Area to Inglewood was divine. I needed to see firsthand what God is doing in this city. Driving through downtown, an unexpected wave of warmth hit me. I praised God, knowing this is exactly where He wants me right now— telling vital stories.
Coming from Uganda, across borders and continents, I looked at the vibrant streets and thought: This feels like home. Walking around, seeing the bustling local businesses and people who look like me thriving, gave me an instant sense of belonging.
That feeling deepened during my first Sunday service at Faithful Central Bible Church. Six months of shopping at local markets and navigating this community’s rhythm have only proven how special it is.
My name is Marion Apio. As of this month, I am officially your new local news reporter with the Observer News Group in Los Angeles.
My journey to Inglewood has been unconventional. I started my journalism career in Uganda, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication. Driven by advocacy and equity, I worked in communications for a continental organization tackling online violence against women. Later, I co-founded the Debunk Media Initiative, Uganda’s first news verification platform, to train young people to combat online misinformation.
My commitment to impactful storytelling eventually brought me to the U.S., where I graduated from UC Berkeley with a master’s degree in journalism and a minor in business journalism. Along the way, I’ve reported on human rights, education, local business, and journalist safety for outlets including Bloomberg News, the Berkeley Investigative Reporting Program, Oakland North, and Richmond Confidential.
Today, I am proud to step into this community as a USC California Health Equity Fellow, a California Local News Fellow, and a National Press Foundation Widening the Pipeline Fellow.
Joining the Observer Group this month directly matches my purpose. From my first meeting with Editor Joe Bowers and Publisher James Luckey, Jr.—who welcomed my transition with open arms—it was clear this paper shares my core mission: an unwavering commitment to diversity and spotlighting the voices of Black and underserved communities.
Attending my first Inglewood City Council meeting, I was struck by its efficiency. But beneath that local governance, my journalistic curiosity was piqued.
Inglewood sits at a crossroads, experiencing rapid transformation from its proximity to LAX, SoFi Stadium, and major entertainment developments reshaping the skyline. Living here, I see the advantages of our location. But as a reporter, I know proximity does not guarantee access. Major economic shifts bring fast changes, and the people who built the soul of this neighborhood are too often overlooked when those changes arrive.
Because I have navigated spaces of lack but have also been blessed to travel, study, and view the world, I approach my reporting with deep empathy. I refuse to look at Inglewood through the detached lens of an outsider. I am here to tell stories from the perspective of the people who call this place home.
I am not a journalist who only drops in when something goes wrong; I am deeply solutions-oriented. While it is vital to cover community challenges, I am equally dedicated to spotlighting the local heroes and grassroots models tackling these problems from the ground up.
I want to dive deep into the issues impacting your daily residential stability, local economy, and community health. For example, looking at Inglewood’s unique housing protections, I want to explore who championed these policies and who genuinely benefits today. What gaps remain, and can other changing California cities learn from Inglewood’s strategies?
Not every crucial story makes the front page of a major metro paper, but every story matters to the people living it. I want to understand your realities, joys, and concerns as Inglewood evolves.
To do that, I need to listen to you. I want to use my platform and skills to elevate your voice respectfully and authentically.
I am ready to meet you where you are. Let’s grab coffee at Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, walk through the park, or connect at a community event.
Please reach out with story ideas, news tips, or a warm hello at marionapio@berkeley.edu or 323-391-6188. I am grateful to grow alongside you. Let’s tell Inglewood’s authentic stories, together.
