National Cathedral, Washington, DC Photo: Joshua Barlow

After (September 17, 2001)
Reinventing Normal
Produced by Katie Davis

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From Katie Davis
I spend hours every day immersed in the troubles and astonishments of my Washington D.C. community and when I sit down the next morning to write often that is what wells up: neighborhood stories.

Through Neighborhood Stories, I am exploring the role of participant observer. This is not a role most journalists are comfortable with but I see it a natural evolution of my two passions - writing and community activism. The core of what I am writing about are experiences that I witness as a community organizer and youth worker. As a participant I have an intimate view of events and as a trained observer, I can step back and find the contours of the story.

Katie Davis w/ her neighborhood High School basketball team

I earn my living as a writer and am a regular commentator for NPR's "All Things Considered" and a contributor to PRI's "This American Life." I also write op-ed pieces for the Christian Science Monitor, The Washington Post and a magazine called "Hope." I have worked as a reporter, anchor and field producer for NPR- both nationally and internationally.

In addition to my professional writing credentials, I am the founder of a neighborhood youth group - The Urban Rangers Youth Service Corps. For eight years, I have worked with some 50 young people-age 10 years to 24 years old. The youngsters are both Latino and African American. I do a little bit of everything with these kids- repair bicycles, hike, landscape, coach basketball, tutor, counsel, encourage them, match kids with mentors and therapists, find internships for them and help their families when they face job loss, addiction or eviction.

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