PVD Monthly's Who to Watch

While the Providence Journal had its eyes turned to political and social changes in 2018, we had our eyes turned to the ProJo, watching newest additions Kevin Andrade and Madeleine List. The multilingual and digitally savvy pair joined the team in April and May respectively, after cutting their teeth at smaller publications reporting on issues like crime and immigration. Together, they represent a new stock of journalists shaking up the old-school newsroom.

“Growing up in Rhode Island, the Journal has always been like the gold standard of journalism in this state, and certainly I always thought of myself working there,” shares Andrade, who grew up in the Portuguese immigrant community between Bristol and New Bedford and focuses his reportage on communities of color. His year has included coverage of the presidential campaign rally for Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo’s grandson, a controversial float at the Dominican Republic parade, and Guatemalan Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rigoberta Menchú Tum’s visit, for which he partnered with List.

In terms of what they bring to the table for 2019, the two agree that being able to speak another language offers an important advantage. “The fact I can speak Spanish has helped bring people into the fold whose voices maybe haven’t been heard before,” says List, who prefers “slice of life” stories and incorporating audio and video components, as she did in her feature on the fifth anniversary of the legalization of same-sex marriage in Rhode Island.

Both Andrade and List have high hopes for the Journal’s coming year. With the election over, coverage will shift, explains List, who wants to explore big issues like affordable housing and immigration as she continues her beat at City Hall. Andrade is excited to go out into and cover the communities in Central Falls, Broad Street, South Side, and West End.

“I want to document Providence and how it’s changing, how it’s growing, and the rich diversity that’s here,” says List.

Get a chance to meet Providence Journal Reporters Madeleine List and Kevin Andrade and celebrate with RI's leading trailblazers at the first great event of the year; Providence Monthly's Who to Watch Party on January 16 at Skyline at Waterplace! Click here to reserve your ticket to this can't-miss event.