Ep 24: Whose Voice Gets Heard? Media, Protest Coverage & Community Power in Seattle | Omari Salisbury

About this episode

The episode features a discussion with Omari Salisbury about the role of media in shaping public understanding during Seattle's 2020 protests.

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, to talk about storytelling, community voice, and what really shaped public understanding during Seattle’s 2020 protests. Salisbury shares how Converge Media grew from a hyperlocal blog into a trusted news source during COVID-19 and the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd, and why authentic storytelling mattered more than production value when the city was searching for clarity.He explains the tension between reporting on events and participating in them as a community member, and what it meant to cover a moment when the entire world was suddenly watching Seattle—often through incomplete or conflicting narratives. The conversation explores who influences public policy in Seattle, why some communities feel unheard despite being most affected by violence and safety concerns, and how assumptions about what neighborhoods want don’t always match lived reality. Salisbury also discusses the responsibility of local media to reflect community voices accurately, the pushback Converge has faced from different political directions, and why trust is built by showing up consistently long…

People in this episode

Hosts: Eric, Amy

Guest: Omari Salisbury

Topics covered

• media
• protest coverage
• community power
• storytelling
• public policy

Keywords

• Seattle
• Converge Media
• George Floyd
• COVID-19
• community voice

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Converge Media

Places: Seattle

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