Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Yourkavitch.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Jennifer Yourkavitch and I’ve lived in Carrboro for 12 years. I am an epidemiologist and lactation consultant and I worked on improving the health of women, children, and families around the world for over 25 years. Along with thousands of other scientists and tens of thousands of foreign aid specialists, I lost my job in the federal government in 2025. Suddenly, I had (too much) time to think and I needed to make something fun and joyful. Starting it was easy–I never knew what was going on in Carrboro—I had to visit a dozen websites to piece it together. So I set out to create a comprehensive events calendar–there are more than 200 events in Carrboro each month! Hopefully now everyone knows what’s going on.
I suspected this project could be larger and perhaps a way to connect people and share hyperlocal information. I conducted a media preferences survey in the spring of 2025 and learned that respondents not only want to know what’s going on in Carrboro, but also who their neighbors are and what’s important to them. They want to support local businesses and contribute to making Carrboro a great place to live, work, and play.
In addition, I have longed for hyperlocal media in Carrboro for years. A long time ago, I worked at an alternative weekly in San Diego and loved the neighborhood stories that emerged within a big city. Carrboro, with its outsized arts culture, is a great place to connect community and support businesses with hyperlocal stories and information. However, I am not the only source of this information. In this amazing community, there are so many stories and storytellers, and I want to encourage contributions from everyone. I host workshops on community journalism to inspire and facilitate participation in local media and have a standing invitation to everyone for contributions from, about, or for Carrboro.
The Carrborean embraces a model of community journalism based on hyperlocal reporting by people who want to tell a story about the arts, living, and civic engagement in Carrboro. We seek contributions from everyone with the purpose of amplifying local voices and connecting all of us who live in, work in, and visit Carrboro. This kind of community engagement – news generation model is gaining traction around the U.S. as people seek new (or return to old) ways of connecting locally with purpose, curiosity, humor, and compassion.
The Carrborean website and Events Calendar launched in June, 2025 and the first free monthly print issue hit racks in September. We’ve published four print issues so far and more than 30 stories online, along with weekly newsletters. Since November, we also have a weekly one-hour show (Mondays 4 – 5pm) on WCOM 103.5 radio to increase community connections.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s been a lot of fun. The main challenges are those common to solopreneurs–fatigue; feeling overwhelmed, disappointed in my mistakes, frustration with the pace of becoming solvent and self-sustaining.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a perinatal epidemiologist and lactation consultant and I worked in global health for more than 25 years. I’m proud of the research I’ve done to uncover inequity in health care and outcomes, and answer questions about policies and practices that affect parents, women, and children.
That background in scientific investigation sets me apart from other local news outlets but also, my purpose of connecting community, amplifying voices, and supporting local businesses and organizations through sharing hyperlocal information about people and events in Carrboro is unique and has been received with enthusiasm both inside and outside of the community.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I joined the Tiny News Collective at the beginning of my journey and that membership has brought me into a wonderful and generous community of local news folks all over the U.S. from whom I am constantly learning. Someone who is doing or has done well what you want to do–connect community, start a business, report on local news, etc. would be a good mentor. Everyone I’ve approached with questions has been happy to share guidance. I’m really grateful.
For networking around town, I approach people and businesses all the time to talk about what I’m doing and what I can do for them. Occasionally, someone is suspicious, skeptical, or just not interested. But the majority of responses have been enthusiastic and supportive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thecarrborean.com
- Instagram: the_carrborean
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-yourkavitch-phd
- Youtube: @TheCarrboreanRadioHour
