Breanna Rittman gives speech about the importance of minorities in journalism

Yahoo

20-02-2025

PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — In honor of Black History Month, WMBD anchor and reporter, Breanna Rittman, was invited to Sam J Stone B'nai B'rith to give a speech to the residents.
B'nai B'rith Apartments is a senior living facility, just south of downtown Peoria, that has been serving the area for 25 years. Rittman's speech to the residents emphasized black press and the importance of minorities in the field of journalism.
As a journalist, she said she wants to tell everybody's story; especially those who might be overlooked.
'My goal is always to be a voice for the voiceless. Being more inclusive, no matter where, I am getting those untold stories, getting stories of the minority or by other marginalized groups,' she said.
Rittman shared her non-linear journey into the journalism field, which included her time as a correctional officer. She said she always wanted to do journalism, but she got cold feet during college. Still, her experiences as a correctional officer shaped how she covers stories.
'Prison gave me plenty of materials, and gave me a different perspective in being intentional about how I cover people; whether they've done something good or done something bad,' she said
After her time as a correctional officer, Rittman decided to make the switch to print journalism, where she said, 'A detour is not a dead end. My great-grandmother would say, 'As long as you have breath in your body, there [is] hope.''
Her time in corrections, has inspired her to write unique pieces about those who are incarcerated. These pieces often reflected prisoners' relationships and how their incarceration impacted their families.
The speech also featured some of her favorite stories that she has published over the years. This includes works such as We're Going to Lose the History: What happened to the Black Communities of Polk County.
After her speech, she hosted a Q&A with residents of the apartment complex. Following the event, she said she was thankful for the opportunity to interact with the community.
Even though she came from the South, she hopes she can continue to make an impact in Central Illinois.
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