Christian De Jesus Betancourt - Journalist Profile | Connect with top journalists

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Biography

As the Bilingual Community Issues Reporter, Christian De Jesus Betancourt is dedicated to illuminating the vibrant stories of the Latino Community of Merced. His journey is deeply rooted in the experiences of migration and the pursuit of a better life. Born and raised in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Betancourt's family embarked on a journey that led them to El Paso, Texas, where he has called home since the seventh grade. His educational journey began in the Mexican system, and he later earned his journalism degree from El Paso Community College. Betancourt's story mirrors that of many migrant parents who seek opportunities beyond their hometowns. Balancing two languages and navigating the intersection of his roots and a new life, he worked as a Teppanyaki chef to fund his college education. It was during a curriculum-required journalism class that he fell in love with the power of storytelling. Betancourt's journalism career has taken him from covering crime for publications like the Hobbs News-Sun and The Lovington Leader to deep-dive investigations for the Duncan Banner. After freelancing for four years, primarily in nightlife photography in Las Vegas, he returned to journalism at the Temple Daily Telegram. He was part of the team honored with the Headliners Foundation Star Breaking News Awards in Texas for their coverage of tornados that impacted Salado. Betancourt's commitment to impactful journalism led him to a solution-based journalism fellowship with Next City. As a finalist for the Institute of Nonprofit News Insight Award for Explanatory Journalism, he collaborated with Next City's Senior Economic Justice Reporter, Oscar Perry Abello, exploring how credit unions serve people of color. Passionate about showcasing the stories often left behind, Betancourt is excited to use his skills to cover the unreported narratives of the Latino Community of Merced. Beyond the headlines, his goal is to amplify voices and shed light on issues that matter. When he's not interviewing the gente of Merced, you can find Betancourt exploring the diverse communities and attractions around him, enjoying board games, and gaming with friends.

Content

Total articles 1540

• Available on paid plans

  No guarantees, no protection: Valley undocumented families face an uncertain future

  By Christian De Jesus Betancourt Verified

  Apr. 13, 2025

• Available on paid plans

  After downtown Merced’s J&R Tacos closed, this former restaurateur found healing through art

  By Christian De Jesus Betancourt Verified

  Apr. 06, 2025

• Available on paid plans

  Después de que J&R Tacos del centro de Merced cerrara, este antiguo restaurador encontró la curación a través del arte

  By Christian De Jesus Betancourt Verified

  Apr. 06, 2025

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Company Info

Central Valley Journalism Collaborative

Launched by the James B. McClatchy Foundation (JBMF) in 2021, the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative (CVJC) is a sustainable model to restore Central Valley local journalism through philanthropic support and community ownership. We are restoring a vibrant, local free press, starting with the Central Valley. The Central Valley Journalism Collaborative is a non-profit model that succeeds through philanthropic support and community ownership. CVJC collaborates with local newsrooms to fund journalists through a sustainable revenue share model that safeguards philanthropic investments and protects jobs in Journalism. CVJC hires local journalists, local journalists write for local newsrooms to represent the stories and voices of the Central Valley's richly diverse communities. This is an innovative approach, a new ecosystem that we believe has the power to preserve, revive, and nurture independent local news everywhere.