Meet the Member: Kenneth Miles

By: Jewel Benton

Kenneth Miles understood the power of memberships early. As a teenager, he joined the New York Association of Black Journalists and quickly realized the value of relationships, information, and community. More than three decades later, as a member, he remains just as committed to community-building and storytelling.

His passion for journalism began at age 15 in New Jersey.

“One day, I wrote a letter to the editor of my hometown newspaper on a whim,” Miles recalls. “A couple of weeks later, she wrote back and said that my proposal to write a column was timely. They invited me to the editorial office at the Jersey Journal at the time. From there, I began my career as a journalist at 15 years old. I had a weekly column for the Jersey Journal when I was 15.”

Miles furthered his journalism experience when he discovered that the Amsterdam News was seeking students for its First Take program. He participated throughout high school, traveling from Jersey City to Brooklyn on Saturdays. There, he learned from seasoned journalists such as Alfred Edmond, Cady Gray, Rita Thompson, Patrick Riley, and Pamela Macklin, who served as positive influences for Miles and his peers.

“They inspired me and showed me the importance of giving back,” Miles says. He went on to write for the New York Times Syndicate, Interview, Black Enterprise, Industry, The Source, and WBGO.org.

Before launching his own publication, the Trenton Journal, Miles was a founding partner at 3rd Space Cowork, where he curated sold-out community events featuring speakers such as Cyntoia Brown Long, trans actress and activist MJ Rodriguez, and writer Damon Young, co-founder of Very Smart Brothas.

Eventually, Miles felt a pull back toward journalism.

“I had so many questions about the capital city of New Jersey,” he shares. “And I was also becoming a little disillusioned with what I was doing. I was driving about an hour from Trenton to Newark every day. The excitement I once felt doing real estate work wasn’t there anymore. I love building community. I love journalism. Why not try to build something in Trenton? I felt like there was a need.”

The Trenton Journal began as a newsletter on Meta’s Bulletin platform. Today, it reaches nearly 4,000 subscribers and more than 30,000 unique website visitors. For Miles, impact goes beyond numbers.

“The satisfaction I get is providing an opportunity for local talent—high school and college students—to write, learn, and work one-on-one. Some people might not have an internship opportunity if it weren’t for the Trenton Journal. I take pride in that. But the biggest thing I take pride in is building trust within the community. I keep saying, I’m not from here. These people didn’t know me from Adam. It means a lot when people see the integrity I have and the care I have for the people in this city, which is predominantly Black and Brown, and for their stories.”

Although he faces his share of ups and downs—such as “feeling the weight of everything” before publishing and experiencing loneliness—he’s proud to tell stories that are less common, like profiles on Black pilots.

Speaking of stories, Miles recently released his first book, From Ink to Impact: How to Build a Community Platform That Lasts. He wanted to document his journey as a journalist and independent publisher. His goal was to create a roadmap for anyone interested in becoming a journalist. It’s his way of giving back, just as his mentors did for him.

“I’m not really a member-of-the-club guy—I’m a lone wolf. But the reason I’ve been a member of NYABJ for so long is because I understand the importance of community. I understand the importance of solidarity, partnership, giving back, and mentorship. I know what they were able to do for a young Black boy growing up in Jersey City. Seeing them, I thought, I can do this too. That’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about imparting some of the skills and experiences I’ve gained—because it was done for me. We need to see ourselves reflected in different industries. That’s why I remain a proud member of the New York Association of Black Journalists. I believe in giving back what was so freely given to me.”

From Ink to Impact can be purchased here.