08 June 2026

Rising Star in Innovation: Ruby Jones on Community Storytelling, Media Literacy and the Future of Local News

Keep It Local | Local Media Association

About

What happens when a journalist sees critical gaps between communities and local media?

For Ruby Jones, the answer was to build something entirely new.

Ruby is the founder of Empower Media Exchange, a Colorado-based nonprofit dedicated to community storytelling, media literacy, youth engagement and civic information. Her innovative work earned her Local Media Association's 2025 Digital Innovation Award for Rising Star in Innovation.

In this episode of Keep It Local, Ryan Welton talks with Ruby about creating Colorado's first Community Information Commons, helping young people become storytellers, building trust through relationship-centered journalism and why communication skills matter far beyond the newsroom.

In this episode

How Ruby's journalism journey began earlyThe inspiration behind Empower Media ExchangeWhy media literacy is about more than spotting misinformationCreating opportunities for youth storytellersThe role of intergenerational collaboration in journalismBuilding the Community Information CommonsWhy every organization should think like a media companyHow local journalism can better connect with communitiesThe future of storytelling and audience trust
About Ruby Jones

Ruby Jones is the founder of Empower Media Exchange, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through storytelling, media literacy and civic engagement. Through initiatives including Front Range Focus, the Community Information Commons and NextGen Media Literacy Labs, she is helping create more inclusive pathways for people to share their stories and participate in local media.