Leading the New Age of News

Originally published by: Newhouse School of Public Communications, Syracuse University

Original author: Lizzie Barlow

Originally published on: January 29, 2026

How a young Syracuse University alumna is reimagining journalism.

“We are a newspaper.” That’s what The Washington Post’s TikTok bio reads—not as a joke, but as a clarification.

For most, news doesn’t arrive with the morning paper or the 6 p.m. broadcast. Instead, it shows up on social media, consumed alongside friends’ posts, influencer reels and viral memes in a constantly refreshing feed.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, journalists like Carmella Boykin ’21 are meeting audiences where they already are. A host and producer at The Washington Post and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Boykin delivers hard news and journalistic integrity through engaging, platform-native social media content.

In under 60 seconds, Boykin regularly explains Supreme Court decisions, international policy and major headlines to nearly two million followers on TikTok—proving that credibility and creativity can not only coexist but thrive together.

Explaining the News—Fast

Carmella Boykin ’21 engages with Syracuse University student creators, serving as a mentor and example of journalism’s evolving future.

Boykin’s videos often feature cloned versions of herself—known as “the Carmellas”—simple props and her Syracuse graduation robe. While the style may be playful, the reporting is serious.

“Whether you’re doing serious content or fun content, it’s all about good storytelling,” says Boykin, who takes a personal approach to explaining the news. “When I watch content, I want to feel like I’m listening to a friend—a well-educated, super professional friend I trust.”

To grab the attention of quick-scrolling viewers, Boykin starts each video with a strong hook, explains the basic headline, lets the subjects involved raise the questions viewers are likely asking and wraps it up with a joke.

“At the end of the day, I’m writing scripts based on Washington Post reporting,” she says. “The scripts go to editors, and everything gets approved through journalistic standards—it’s just with fun pens and sunglasses.”

Finding Her Path at Syracuse

When Boykin arrived on Syracuse’s campus, she dreamed of following in the footsteps of her idol, Oprah Winfrey.

On graduation day, Boykin dons her Syracuse University robe, which she still uses in her Washington Post TikTok videos when portraying the Supreme Court.

“Not only did she have a show, but she also owned the production company that was making the show,” Boykin says. “Then she built her own companies to supplement what she was doing. I think there’s something really inspirational about that—especially as a woman of color in the industry.”

As a broadcast and digital journalism major, Boykin was actively involved as a reporter and anchor for CitrusTV and interned with NBC’s Weekend Today in New York City. Just as important, she built a community of peers working toward the same goal.

“One thing I didn’t realize at first was how empowering the Newhouse community would be,” Boykin says. “When you’re lugging video cameras across campus or across the city, you know there are other people doing the exact same thing. It’s what you have to do to get where you want to be.”

That shared experience, she says, made it easier to take creative risks, build confidence and commit fully to the work.