“I want to drive positive change.”
Those words were a declaration Cynthia Frage wrote on her profile as a student at Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC).
Today, as a proud 2025 broadcast journalism graduate, that bold affirmation has become her daily reality.
Frage is a full-time producer at WALB-TV in Albany, Georgia, where she was recently honored with the station’s “Digital Champion Award.”
Less than a year into the job, her colleagues, viewers, and corporate staff recognized her commitment to impactful storytelling. She was nominated by members of the news team and selected by station leadership for using the multimedia skills she honed at FAMU SJGC to elevate community voices.
The acknowledgment followed her work producing a digital special highlighting the region’s rich historical contributions to Black history, alongside multiple web articles and evening newscasts.
Frage said she was honored to receive the award and looks forward to producing more specials soon, but she’s doing the work not for the accolades but as a service to her community.
“Local journalism gives journalists a chance to get behind the scenes, educate their community, and find out what’s hitting home to people,” she said.
Frage’s passion for local news began long before college. As a high school student in a magnet program in Palm Beach County, Florida, she immersed herself in journalism and media programs, covering local politics and writing stories about migrant communities. Her drive was shaped by her upbringing as the child of Haitian immigrants and her desire to help families like her own thrive.
Frage explained what it means to her to have the power to tell stories that matter. “It’s important to me to find out from community members: What are the issues in your town? What do you think we’re not covering? What do you want to hear and see?”
Frage credits her early-career success to two major factors: her faith and her support system.
As a student, mentorship from faculty, staff, and community members strengthened her confidence and adaptability. She gained real-world experience working in FAMU SJGC’s Capitol Bureau and serving in student media as a news producer for FAMU TV-20 and assistant news editor for The FAMUAN. Those roles led to opportunities for student reporting with the Tallahassee Democrat and the Florida Student Power Network. She also interned at WESH 2 in Central Florida.
“FAMU instilled greatness in me. I learned how to translate my writing skills into content that could be broadcast to audiences of different backgrounds,” she said. “And with all the skills I gained, I learned that faith is required to accomplish your goals and trust the process.”
Cynthia Frage’s involvement in student training programs at FAMU SJGC, including the 2025 ACE Broadcast Bootcamp, prepared her to master storytelling from producing to reporting. She is pictured at left in SJGC’s news studio alongside fellow Rattler Trinity Olivier. At right, she is shown learning the foundations of producing broadcast packages.
When Frage first arrived in Albany, she did not have a full-time offer at WALB. But she felt called to pursue whatever opportunity was available for her to begin her career. As a young journalist entering the industry during a major economic shift, she faced a hiring landscape that did not allow for quick responses to applications.
Instead of giving up, she put her reporting skills to work. She researched, found a lead, and reached out directly to WALB’s news director to express her interest in producing. Although there were no official openings, he offered her something else — a chance. Frage moved from South Florida to Southwest Georgia for a part-time role with no guarantees. Her work ethic and adaptability quickly stood out. Within weeks, a full-time producing position opened, and she was hired in a permanent role.
“I took a leap of faith, trusted God, and within a month and a half, I was told, ‘We have a position for you,’” she said. “Sometimes you just have to start somewhere. Baby steps matter, and they still lead you exactly where you’re meant to be.”
Today, those baby steps have become bridges. Frage uses her platform to ensure viewers are informed about issues that matter most — from legislation and health care to emergency response and education, especially in rural communities. She produces content that lets audiences hear directly from leaders whose decisions are shaping their daily lives, including a recent piece with U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff.
As we celebrate the inaugural Local News Day, Frage’s story offers a timely message for students considering careers in journalism. Local news, she believes, is not a stepping stone. It is a vital, impactful space where journalists receive the highest honor: empowering citizens every day.
About Local News Day
Local News Day is a national day of action connecting communities with trusted local news. Our mission is simple: reconnect people to trusted local journalists and their outlets, empower newsrooms and their storytellers to grow, and spark a national movement that sustains local news for generations. Learn more at https://localnewsday.org. Follow and engage with more stories on social media using #LocalNewsDay #SJGCisLocal.
