Kao Xiong: Helping refugees settle with the power of radio
Often the biggest challenge immigrants face when coming to the United States is making their new home feel like home. Read the inspiring story of Kao Xiong and how one refugee started a Hmong language radio program to help his community make Eau Claire home.
This story is where I developed key skills when it comes to interviewing people. It also taught me to be flexible with my time and how I need to be invested in someone’s personal story in order to tell it properly.
The shopping shift: How Eau Claire’s brick and mortar retail shops are dealing with shifting buying patterns.
With the COVID 19 pandemic changing what and how people goods small brick and mortar shops across the Chippewa Valley are finding themselves in uncharted territory. Read about how small business owners are trying to navigate a post covid consumer world.
This story taught me the importance of doing in-depth research into certain sectors of community especially the economic sector. This story also taught me how to get a variety of perspectives in order to portray how different businesses owners were handling this shift in buying patterns.
Acknowledging the silent struggle of mental health in Eau Claire
With the COVID 19 pandemic changing what and how people goods small brick and mortar shops across the Chippewa Valley are finding themselves in uncharted territory. Read about how small business owners are trying to navigate a post covid consumer world.
This story taught me the importance of doing in-depth research and acquiring data from government agencies and NGOS. It also taught me how to utilize visual elements to make raw data into an easyily viewable and understandable format
Preserving a Culture Without A Homeland
The year 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the Hmong’s arrival in the United States. While the Hmong have become a well established immigrant community in Eau Claire several cultural traditions are beginning to fade among younger Hmong generations who have begun to assimilate. Read about how the Hmong community of Eau Claire is working to maintain these traditions for future generations
This story was my first foray into the world of photojournalism. I learned about the importance of constantly being engaged with people and communities as building trust with the faces of your story is a major component of getting great photographs. This story was really fun to write and so I hope it is just as much fun for you to read.
Ira Mitroshin 