Joannah Clemente

DIG •

The College Side Hustle Economy — DIG

Janelle Lennarz poses in CSULB’s art studio, where she turns hand-painted and cobalt-blue mugs into a fun side hustle. Photo by Joannah Clemente.
Turning Clay Into IncomeJannelle Lennarz, a fine arts senior specializing in ceramics,turned her passion into a thriving side hustle, crafting hand-painted mugs one wheel at a time. She first dipped into sales at an elementary school PTA fundraiser in spring 2025. “Cups and bowls flew off the table so fast,” Lennarz said. “[I thought] ‘Okay… people act...
DIG •

The Man Who Teaches History by Living It — DIG

Keith Claybrook (center) is pictured with students Alyssa Rowland (left) and Mikayla Winfrey (right), highlighting the relationships that shape his teaching. Photo courtesy of Keith Claybrook.Born and raised in Compton and neighboring cities like Lomita, Redondo Beach and Carson, Claybrook noticed a disconnect between what he saw in these communities and how they were portrayed.“Going back and forth from Compton to Redondo and seeing different communities, the quality of housing wasn’t much diff...
DIG •

Damned if You do, Penalized if You Don’t, Taryn Williams Story — DIG

When Taryn Williams first got out of prison, the first year or two meant getting by on “gig work before gig work.” She hadn’t finished college, lacked particular skill sets, so she cleaned houses or took whatever anyone would let her do.“My background check absolutely was coming up, and there was even no conversation,” Williams said. Employers were blunt. Even grocery stores rejected her outright because of her prison history.As “second chance hiring” and “ban the box” emerged, companies “found...
DIG •

What’s brewing in CSULB’s After-Hours Economy? — DIG

For many California State University, Long Beach students, the school day doesn’t end when classes do. From handmade ceramics to sleepaway camps and content creation, CSULB students are building an after-hours economy of their own.Turning Clay Into IncomeJannelle Lennarz, a fine arts senior student in ceramics, turned her campus passion into a thriving side hustle, crafting hand-painted mugs one wheel at a time. She first dipped into sales at an elementary school PTA fundraiser last spring. “Bug...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

Lighting the way home: How a Filipino Christmas lantern keeps the diaspora lit

A star-shaped lantern becomes more than a holiday symbol—a fragile promise that Filipino stories will endure.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Filipino Christmas often begins softly in the Ber Months (from September to December), but it’s not without its parol, a star-shaped lantern hung in a window or a gate, announcing that the holiday season—a rich history—is here.


What seems like a decoration holds the weight of empire, migration and stories that rarely make the archive.


Diane Williams, a Los An...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

Lighting the way home: How a Filipino Christmas lantern keeps the diaspora lit

A star-shaped lantern becomes more than a holiday symbol—a fragile promise that Filipino stories will endure.

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Filipino Christmas often begins softly in the Ber Months (from September to December), but it’s not without its parol, a star-shaped lantern hung in a window or a gate, announcing that the holiday season—a rich history—is here.


What seems like a decoration holds the weight of empire, migration and stories that rarely make the archive.


Diane Williams, a Los An...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

Pop-Up Newsroom Experience

A hands-on look at student journalism, teamwork and the stories that matter most at California State University, Long Beach.

Our Pop-Up Newsroom, “Chisme Minute,” was more than just a class project — it became a space for CSULB students to share what they think about campus life and concerns about the university. We wanted to make it fun and engaging, so I created a wheel with 20 campus-related questions.



Each spin gave us a new topic to ask about, from campus facilities to student leaders...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

Pop-Up Newsroom Experience

A hands-on look at student journalism, teamwork and the stories that matter most at California State University, Long Beach.

Our Pop-Up Newsroom, “Chisme Minute,” was more than just a class project — it became a space for CSULB students to share what they think about campus life and concerns about the university. We wanted to make it fun and engaging, so I created a wheel with 20 campus-related questions.



Each spin gave us a new topic to ask about, from campus facilities to student leaders...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

CSULB Filipino Language Reductions: Heritage at Risk

A changing curriculum quietly reshapes how Filipino-American students connect with their culture.

Watch my YouTube Short here.


LONG BEACH, Calif. — California State University, Long Beach is cutting back on its Filipino language program, raising concerns about culture, identity and community.



Why CSULB’s Filipino class cuts matter now


According to the University Archives and Library Special Collections, from 2018 to 2024, CSULB offered both FIL 101 and 102. Starting in 2025, only FIL...
Joannah Clemente's Blog •

CSULB Filipino Language Reductions: Heritage at Risk

A changing curriculum quietly reshapes how Filipino-American students connect with their culture.

Watch my YouTube Short here.


LONG BEACH, Calif. — California State University, Long Beach is cutting back on its Filipino language program, raising concerns about culture, identity and community.



Why CSULB’s Filipino class cuts matter now


According to the University Archives and Library Special Collections, from 2018 to 2024, CSULB offered both FIL 101 and 102. Starting in 2025, only FIL...
Long Beach Current •

Guardian Scholars Program helps graduates reach finish line

Long Beach State’s Guardians Scholars Program is celebrating 26 graduates this semester, a milestone highlighting support of foster youth in higher education.
The program offers comprehensive services to help students navigate trauma, housing insecurity and academic hurdles. It works with organizations such as Ready to Succeed, Right Way Foundation and Foster Nation to offer career mentoring, internships and financial workshops, according to Associate Director Candi Marsh.
Ebony Tay
Ebony Tay, w...
Long Beach Current •

Guardian Scholars Program helps graduates reach finish line

Long Beach State’s Guardians Scholars Program is celebrating 26 graduates this semester, a milestone highlighting support of foster youth in higher education.
The program offers comprehensive services to help students navigate trauma, housing insecurity and academic hurdles. It works with organizations such as Ready to Succeed, Right Way Foundation and Foster Nation to offer career mentoring, internships and financial workshops, according to Associate Director Candi Marsh.
Ebony Tay
Ebony Tay, w...
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