Shandra Back

I’m a multimedia journalist passionate about telling stories that bridge the local and the global. My work focuses on migration, displacement, and the human experiences behind political headlines—particularly within Spanish-speaking communities. I’m driven by a deep commitment to cross-cultural connection, community, and a desire to bring fresh perspective to narratives that are often oversimplified. As an avid traveler, I’ve reported throughout Latin America in countries like Chile, Peru, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic. The projects I love most are longform narrative pieces that blend creative storytelling with collaboration and bring underrepresented voices to the forefront of their own stories.

Shandra has joined the NorCal Public Media team through The California Local News Fellowship. A state-funded program based at UC Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism that places early‑career reporters in two‑year, full‑time positions across the state. The fellowship strengthens local journalism by supporting newsrooms that serve underrepresented communities throughout the state. The program’s goal is to rebuild California’s local news ecosystem so residents have the information they need to participate in civic life.

Learn more about the California Local News Fellowship