Jala Everett is a Cleveland, Ohio, native and a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Film and Visual Culture. She also holds a Master of Science degree from Columbia University, where she focused on narrative longform, broadcast, and video production.

Before joining FRONTLINE, Jala held editorial and production roles at SiriusXM, ABC News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Lemonada Media, and Harvard Business Review.

Her reporting spans a wide range of topics, including the impact of erratic weather on farmers’ livelihoods, the unique appeal of Bronx-based hair salons, trends in how Americans manage their finances, and the historical legacy of the Chitlin' Circuit and its surviving Mississippi venues.

She has investigated the lives of burn survivors before and after injury, the effectiveness of gunshot detection technology, the humanitarian crisis on Rikers Island, and generational trauma within the criminal justice system.

Jala has also covered the 2024 Republican primary and general presidential election, using data-driven reporting to explore racial realignment in politics, the influence of AI on electoral processes, global voter discontent, and the enduring influence of political tropes like “soccer moms.”

Driven by a deep curiosity, Jala is passionate about using journalism to understand and communicate the complexities of the world, highlighting the power of storytelling to raise awareness, inspire change, and connect people.