Sam Searles

Samantha (Sam) Searles is a journalist and community leader.

Most recently, Searles was a Report for America corps member covering Gun Violence and Prevention for WHYY in Philadelphia, an award-winning NPR/PBS station.

Her work with WHYY from June of 2022 through October of 2023 spanned across radio, photography, and video and included work as a panel and debate moderator as well as a guest lecturer.

Searles graduated from Suffolk University in May of 2021 with a B.A. in Journalism (Broadcast concentration.) During her senior year, she interned with both New England Cable News (NBC) as part of the Suffolk In The City program as well as writing for an internship with SOURCE Media from Framingham. Shortly after graduation, she hosted coverage of the 2021 Candidate’s Forum on Tyngsboro Television.

Previous internships include New Hampshire Public Radio‘s Creative Production Unit (2019) and Skillsoft‘s Communications team.

Searles has a passion for storytelling, and when not reporting or in the midst of a global pandemic, she is also a semi-professional actress and singer, with past credits at Hatbox Theatre, History Alive, and more.

Report for America is a national service program that places journalists into local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and communities. An initiative of the nonprofit media organization, The GroundTruth Project, it is structured to harness the skills and idealism of an emerging group of journalists plus the creative spirit of local news organizations.

Contact Me: ssearles@whyy.org | 267.571.9128

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Latest Work:

2023

Cherelle Parker hopes to join growing class of Black women elected to higher office

Operation Hug the Block marches on: Late-night Peace Patrols, community safety, and a City Council promise

WHYY News wins national Edward R. Murrow Award for ‘Stop and Frisk: Revisit or Resist’ podcast

PPD reversal: Body cam footage disproves initial police narrative on deadly Kensington shooting

National Association of Black Journalists Conference, Birmingham, AL. August 2023

Pa. Lt. Gov. Davis announces upcoming statewide gun violence plan in Germantown

Audio/Digital: Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson hosts emergency gun violence accountability meeting with city agencies, WHYY

Interfaith gun violence rally uses lawmaker letter campaign to demand more than just thoughts and prayers

WHYY wins 6 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

Moderating Philadelphia’s 8th City Council debate between incumbent Cindy Bass and Seth Anderson-Oberman

16% of Philadelphians are disabled. Here’s where mayoral candidates stand on disability issues, and how advocates are feeling

Three years, no arrests: Ahmad Morales and Philadelphia’s homicide clearance rate

Audio/Digital: No blossoms? No problem! Sakura Sunday in Fairmount Park draws crowds, WHYY

Camden, N.J. announces Office of Gun Violence Prevention at Moms Demand Action lunch

‘I just want to warn people’: A mother’s fight to review Pa.’s Stand Your Ground law and reopen Donae Cooper’s case

I had a blast with @peacesociology's class at @swarthmorepeace yesterday!
It's a goal of mine to teach solutions journalism at the college level one day so this was especially epic.
Thanks to @JimMacMillan for making connections! #swatgvp pic.twitter.com/jddaNkyTKs
— Sam Searles (@SamSearles9) March 24, 2023

Audio/Digital: ‘It’s happening everywhere’: Girls’ High hosts 13 Philadelphia schools for safety summit, WHYY

Digital: Photo essay: Philly anti-violence activist leads march to Washington, D.C., WHYY

Philadelphia’s mayoral candidates address gun violence at WHYY News and Billy Penn forum

A trauma surgeon, community leader, and gun violence prevention reporter will ask Philly mayoral candidates tough questions

Audio/Digital: Gun Violence Prevention Summit at West Philly Masjid connects over 50 young people to resources, WHYY

Audio/Digital: Philadelphia and Memphis lawmakers meet to discuss the city’s groundbreaking Driving Equality Act, WHYY

Audio/Digital: Philly teens are in the center of the gun violence crisis. Here’s what they want to do about it, WHYY

Audio/Digital: Newly-formed Gun Violence Prevention Caucus reintroduces legislation targeting high-capacity gun magazines, WHYY

NEWS PHOTOGRAPHY, WHYY 2023

Cayla Waddington, the 1st place winner of the MLK Day Oratorical Contest. Sam Searles/WHYY

2022

Audio/Digital: Gun violence in 2022: 500+ homicides, prevention efforts, and public safety, WHYY

Digital: ‘Considered last if considered at all’: Stop and frisk’s impact on Black women and co-victims of violence, WHYY

Audio/Digital: ‘Black excellence’: Fans in Philly celebrate release of Whitney Houston biopic, WHYY

Here’s a behind the scenes photo from the recording on Episode 5 of “Stop and Frisk: Revisit or Resist”!
That’s me in the green shirt, co-hosting a panel of Philadelphians from all background to discuss how
Stop and Frisk affects them, what needs to change, and how to move forward.
Listen to the story at the following link, or wherever you get your podcasts: https://whyy.org/episodes/what-happens-next/

What happens next

Audio/Digital: Gun violence and public health: Governor-elect Shapiro speaks at American Health Summit, WHYY

‘Who am I in this situation?’: ‘Stop the Bleed’ trauma first aid class targets gunshot injuries

Audio/Digital: ‘I’m not by myself’: Philadelphia’s Parents of Murdered Children chapter gathers for pre-Thanksgiving dinner, WHYY, WDIY, NPR

Audio/Digital: Not On the Same Page’: Community Crisis Intervention Program review shows only short-term success and lack of leadership, WHYY

A few weeks ago, a report commissioned by the Office of Violence Prevention revealed that CCIP staff are undertrained, and often overwhelmed, and lacking cohesion.

Halloween on South Street: Costumes, candy, and new customers

Audio/Digital: Man arrested in Roxborough HS shooting was sold ammo despite felon status, police say, WHYY

‘We cannot lose on this’: Roxborough High School receives security funding

Audio/Digital: #PrayForPhillyChallenge: How one beat creates connections, WHYY

Rapper ARSIN explains the start of the #PrayForPhillyChallenge, and how he’s hoping to connect Philly teens to resources.

Digital: Philadelphia judge blocks mayor’s ban on guns at Parks and Rec facilities, WHYY

Audio/Digital: ‘The devil is in the details’: Councilmember Thomas issues Philly gun violence prevention recommendations, WHYY

Councilmember Isaiah Thomas speaks to the press after releasing recommendations for combat gun violence.

Audio/Digital: Peace Day at Parkway Northwest: Students assemble to send a message on Gun Violence, WHYY

International Peace Day assembly and celebration at Parkway Northwest High School.

Audio/Digital: Gun violence will be a top issue for Philly’s next mayor. Where do the announced candidates stand?, WHYY, WDIY

https://whyy.org/articles/gun-violence-will-be-a-top-issue-for-phillys-next-mayor-where-do-the-announced-candidates-stand/

Audio/Digital: After dark: Curfew centers offer fun and safety in Philly, WHYY

Even though research says curfews don’t do much, “an announcement will be made soon” as to when more teen curfew centers are opening in Philadelphia.

Audio/Digital: Drill music without the violence , WHYY, WDIY

Philly artists and advocates weigh the impact of drill music — minus the violence

Audio/Digital: Northwest Philly anti-violence groups seek to collaborate with lawmakers, WHYY

Community organizations say red tape and poor communication are the biggest impediments to moving forward.

Audio/Digital: The Bipartisan Community Safety Act is Law – what comes next? WHYY, WDIY, WTIF, WLVR, WVIA, WESA, WQLN

The passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act by the federal government offers a $750 million dollar incentive for states to adopt red flag laws of their own, which states do not have to accept. The alternative, leaning into enforcement of other parts of the act, could take time to become reality.

Audio/Digital: East Germantown leaders and police walk for peace, WHYY

Police chaplains, religious leaders, and community members at a prayer walk in East Germantown, 24 hours after a 7-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire of a shooting.

Audio/Digital: 30 Mothers, 30 Photos: Gun Violence Memorial opens in Saunders Park, WHYY