Justin Agrelo

About

I'm Justin Agrelo, a journalist passionate about community-centered storytelling, equity, and social justice. With experience at The Trace, City Bureau, and Mother Jones magazine, I've built a career rooted in amplifying underrepresented voices and delivering deeply reported, human-focused journalism.Currently, I'm the Chicago Community Engagement Reporter at The Trace, where I report on gun violence and its impact on Chicago communities. I also led a storytelling initiative that empowered survivors of gun violence to share their own stories — a project that was recognized with top honors at the 2024 Anthem Awards and the SFJ Excellence-in-Features Awards.Previously, I covered Chicago’s housing crisis during the pandemic at City Bureau, where I led a reporting fellowship for emerging journalists and organized public forums that informed and united communities.I hold a master's in journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School, with a focus on social justice and investigative reporting. My work consistently aims to inform, engage, and uplift — and I bring that same ethos to every newsroom and project I join.Let’s connect: www.justinagrelo.com