About Us

Ronnie Agnew joined NJ Advance Media in November 2022, continuing more than three decades of working in the media. Ronnie has held prior positions as the executive editor of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., and in the public media. As general manager of NJAM, Agnew Ronnie is responsible for overseeing overall news strategy, as well as working on business initiatives within the company. He has oversight of Mosaic, a new website celebrating New Jersey's diversity. While editor of The Clarion-Ledger, the newspaper was one of the most highly decorated in the Gannett Co., known nationally for its coverage of civil rights crimes of the past. Ronnie has been a 4-time judge of the Pulitzer Prizes, journalism's highest honor. He also has been featured in HistoryMaker, which recognizes people who have made an impact in media. His recorded segment is permanently archived at the Library of Congress.

Yvette Ousley is an award-winning journalist and Senior Managing Producer at NJ Advance Media. Before moving to Mosaic in August, she led a team of reporters who wrote about education, public safety, government, arts, and culture for NJ.com - stories and projects awarded first-place national and state awards for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Prior to joining NJAM in 2022, Yvette worked at the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia Daily News, and Miami Herald as a reporter and then editor, helping lead news desks that won numerous awards, including journalism’s highest. A 2021 Lenfest Fellow, Yvette was honored in 2019 with the Philadelphia Association of Black Journalists’ Impact Award for her unrelenting efforts to ensure fairness and accuracy in the coverage and treatment of stories about people and communities of color. Yvette is a member of the National Association of Black Journalists and serves as vice chair for NJAM’s Diversity Committee. She counts among her most important duties supporting and uplifting others and producing impactful journalism that tells the stories of diverse communities with empathy, sensitivity, and attention to detail. She may be reached at YOusley-Frazier@njadvancemedia.com.

Ande Richards is the Managing Producer, Diversity of Voices for Mosaic. She uses her skills as a multimedia reporter to delve into communities that need more attention like our veterans, LGBTQ+, disability community, and people impacted by violence. She also brings light to folk who are thriving in those same communities – it’s all about balance. She has recently relocated from California where she was enrolled in a journalism master’s program at UC Berkeley. Ms. Richards garnered many awards at the collegiate level including the Pacemaker, Pinnacle, Columbia Gold Circle, and Society of Professional Journalists first-place awards. Most recently, the National Association of Black Journalists acknowledged her work with two 2023 Salute to Excellence Awards for her collection of columns. In addition to reporting, Ms. Richards produces an annual Journalism Day event for the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee for NJ.com that offers college students from across the state a taste of real-world journalism and the opportunity to earn cash scholarships. Ms. Richards can be reached at arichards@njadvancemedia.com and @anderichards on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Steve Strunsky covers the City of Newark and other subjects. He has reported, edited, and produced news in New Jersey and New York for over three decades at print, wire service, and broadcast outlets, including The New York Times, The Associated Press, and HDNews. Strunsky joined The Star-Ledger in 2010 and moved to NJ Advance Media after its creation in 2014. He shared a 2023 New Jersey Press Association First Amendment award with NJAM colleague Riley Yates for reporting on questionable health benefits given to local officials. He has a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Union College in Schenectady, New York, and a master’s in journalism from Columbia University. A musician and cyclist, he lives with his family in Essex County.

Vashti Harris is community and trending news reporter for Mosaic. Harris is a skillful news reporter with over eight years of experience in the journalism industry, having covered a wide range of topics from community protests to local celebrity profiles. Harris’ career began in the newspaper sector, reporting for four central New Jersey towns for nearly five years. In 2021, Harris joined NJ Advance Media and currently covers stories pertaining to the New Jersey’s Indian community for the news outlet’s Mosaic news page. Harris also covers community based news stories pertaining to New Jersey’s capital city of Trenton. When she’s not reporting and writing her community stories, Harris also produces trending stories pertaining to minority communities. She can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Amira Sweilem is a data reporter focusing on health and education inequities. Before moving to Mosaic in August, she covered policy, politics, health, and real estate for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. Amira joined NJ Advance Media in 2022 after serving as a data reporter for Florida Today, covering healthcare, policy, and politics in Brevard County, Florida. She holds a degree in linguistics with an emphasis in language and speech technologies from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Deion R. Johnson is a local news reporter for NJ Advance Media. He covers public safety, education, and issues impacting New Jersey’s communities of color. Have a tip? E-mail djohnson@njadvancemedia.com.

Karim Shamsi-Basha immigrated from Damascus-Syria to the United States in 1984 at the age of 18. He attended the University of Tennessee and acquired a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After that, he pursued what he loved – Photojournalism and writing. His photographic work has taken him to over 50 countries including China, Turkey, Chile, Mexico, France and Italy. Karim’s work has appeared in National Geographic Traveler, Sports Illustrated, Coastal Living, People, Time, Southern Living, NJ.com, The Alabama News Center, al.com, Aramco World magazine, The New York Times, and The Washington Post and many others. Karim’s children’s book, The Cat Man of Aleppo, won the 2021 Caldecott Honor, the Middle East Book Award and five starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly among others. Currently, Karim works as a Food & Culture Columnist / Photographer with nj.com and The Star Ledger in New Jersey. Karim is a single father to three precious human beings: Zade, Dury, and Demi. He lives by the motto, Carpe diem, seizing every moment of this beautiful life.

Vashti Harris is community and trending news reporter for Mosaic. Harris is a skillful news reporter with over eight years of experience in the journalism industry, having covered a wide range of topics from community protests to local celebrity profiles. Harris’ career began in the newspaper sector, reporting for four central New Jersey towns for nearly five years. In 2021, Harris joined NJ Advance Media and currently covers stories pertaining to the New Jersey’s Indian community for the news outlet’s Mosaic news page. Harris also covers community based news stories pertaining to New Jersey’s capital city of Trenton. When she’s not reporting and writing her community stories, Harris also produces trending stories pertaining to minority communities. She can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

Daysi Calavia-Robertson is a columnist who focuses on issues impacting New Jersey's communities of color. Before joining NJ Advance Media, she covered affordability and cost-of-living issues, the business of marijuana and CBD, travel and tourism, and special interest topics for Long Island's Newsday. She's also covered entertainment news on-camera.

Kim Alvarez is an award-winning multimedia advertising expert, currently serving as Chief Revenue Officer for NJ Advance Media. She was named a Top 25 Leading Women Brand Builder and an NJ AdClub 40 under 40 MARCOM professional. She leads highly successful sales teams, with an operationally based hands-on management style, to provide optimal solutions for advertisers. She is an innovative leader with expertise in conceptualizing, developing, and launching new revenue initiatives. Kim's passion and drive extends beyond the marketing arena. She also is a champion of girl power … encouraging women's professional growth, career development and owning their place in the world. Her advice: “Don't play small. Whether it's a meeting, conference call, email chain, brainstorming session or in any other setting where you want to be heard, don't dim your light. Speak your mind and thoughtfully seize the opportunity.”

Phoebe has duties that include working with teams in Marketing, Preprints, Legal Ads, and in her newest capacity joining the Mosaic team. She has also helped with several company committees, including the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee and the Content Removal committee. She also served on a panel for Mental Health Awareness. Phoebe recently relocated to Mississippi but still has New Jersey in her blood. When not working, she loves spending time with her husband, 2 school-age daughters, 4 stuck-up cats, and 1 incredibly lovable dog.