Jessica Blatt Press is a writer in PhiladelphiaJessica Blatt Press is an award-winning journalist and editor whose work has appeared in O: The Oprah Magazine; Glamour; Redbook; Parents; The New York Times; The Philadelphia Inquirer; Scholastic; Seventeen; and more. As a LEDE Fellow of the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN), Jess created Citizen Teen, a journalism mentorship program for Philly high school students that made history when 100 percent of its pilot cohort had work published by SJN’s prestigious “Story Tracker” — making them the first known high school students in the world to do so.

Jess is particularly passionate about youth, education, mental health and the intersection of all three, and is inspired by stories of people uplifting communities in meaningful ways. She serves on the board of The Bullhorn News, the independent, student-run newspaper of the School District of Philadelphia, and was in the inaugural cohort of journalists to receive training from The Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting.

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Stories by Jessica Blatt Press:

Rooting For Our Home Team

Visit Philadelphia’s job is to bring tourists to the city. But that can’t happen if Philadelphians don’t love their city, too

By Jessica Blatt Press

Black Brains Matter

A local nonprofit helps to train Black therapists and brings free therapy to Black Philadelphians — a win-win that helps reduce the stigma around mental health in communities of color

By Jessica Blatt Press

The Citizen Recommends: Martin & Malcolm & America Book Club

A new book club series at Temple’s Blockson Library aims to cast a new light on American icons.

By Jessica Blatt Press

Who Are The Most Outstanding City Workers?

We’re kicking off our 5th Integrity Icon Awards, and we need your help to find Philadelphia employees going above and beyond their job description to make Philly better for all

By Jessica Blatt Press

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARDS: Disruptors Alexis A. Thompson and Stephan A. Grupp

The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia doctors have devoted their lives to improving the quality and length of life for some of our country’s most vulnerable and overlooked patients: children with sickle cell disease.

By Jessica Blatt Press

Citizen of the Year Awards: Educator Njemele Tamala Anderson

The English teacher at Science Leadership Academy @ Beeber expects greatness from her students — and showers them with the essential tools they deserve to achieve it

By Jessica Blatt Press

Citizens of the Week: Team IMPACT Philly

Harnessing the talent, teamwork and spirit of our college athletes, the Philly arm of the national nonprofit brings joy to kids with life-altering conditions — and respite to their caregivers

By Jessica Blatt Press

Meet the Citizens of the Year

The Citizen is proud to introduce our annual group of all-stars who are making Philadelphia better — and inspiring us all to do the same.

By Jessica Blatt Press

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