We wrapped the Norcross issue where we started: Reporting on food. In our final story, Fellow Jack Rose sat at the kitchen table with Monica Barrera as she talked glowingly about masa flour, a dietary staple that is the building block of almost every meal in Latino households. While masa has sparked difficult conversations about nutrition and moderation—in residents like Barrera, it always sparked defiant joy. 

So how do we reflect that in the framing of the story?

First, some context. 

We had just received a kind but sobering email from a member of Norcross’s Community Editorial Board. In it, she stated that the articles are “very thoroughly researched and written,” and had “great perspectives and inclusion of immigrant stories.”

But, she continued, “most of the headlines tilt negative.”

She listed out the headlines and emphasized the words with a negative charge: 

Why ESOL students in Norcross struggle to graduate

How Norcross became a divided city

The roadblock facing seniors in Gwinnett County

Lost in translation: How language and culture barriers impact Norcross residents

The ideas for the stories came straight from the residents of Norcross and were narrowed down by the Community Editorial Board made up of a selection of those very residents. The stories that emerged have all the hallmarks of what makes a city or neighborhood vibrant—a little bit of drama, a little bit of levity, a whole lot of hope. But the wrong framing in the form of a headline can easily dim or miscast the light.

So, we all went back to the drawing board on the headlines.

The result?

OLD: “How Norcross became a divided city: Residents and city planners explain how they plan to bridge the gaps: “There is a difference between diversity and community” 

NEW: “Bridging the gap: Norcross, one of the Southeast’s most diverse cities, has a history of division, but city leaders and residents see a future steeped in unity.”

OLD: “The roadblock facing seniors in Gwinnett County” 

NEW: “Late to the party: Community gatherings can be a lifeline for seniors in Norcross. But limited transportation options keep many from coming together.”

OLD: “Why ESOL students in Norcross struggle to graduate” 

NEW: “How can schools better support multilanguage learners? In Gwinnett, students who speak English as a second language graduate at lower rates than their peers. Advocates say the education system could do a better job of getting them across the finish line.”

OLD: “Lost in translation: How language and culture barriers impact Norcross residents” 

NEW: “Lost in translation: Almost half of the city’s residents speak a language other than English at home. In places like the voting booth and the doctor’s office, they may encounter challenges.” 

And here’s where we landed with the beloved masa:

For the love of masa: A difficult conversation about a dietary staple

Community journalism thrives on authenticity, reflecting the true spirit of our neighborhoods. Nuance is key—yes, challenges exist, but so do triumphs, as our stories reflect. Framing with nuance, not negativity, paints a truer picture and helps build a community that’s informed, engaged, and proud of its narratives. 

Our community journalism also thrives and depends on the step-by-step feedback we get from the community members we are creating this journalism alongside. They tell us when we are on point—and when we’ve missed the mark. And we listen. We are grateful for the feedback and that the journalism that happens here can perpetually be refined and in rich conversation.