Sarah Mays

Sarah Mays is the 2026 Manatt Family Fellow at Black Iowa News and a 2026 graduate of Iowa State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a minor in African American Studies.

At Black Iowa News, Sarah has reported on a wide range of stories for both the organization’s digital and print platforms. Her work includes an investigative report and accompanying video examining chemicals found in synthetic braiding hair marketed to Black consumers, along with feature stories and breaking news coverage.

Before joining Black Iowa News, Sarah worked at the Iowa State Daily, where she produced engaging video content for the publication’s newsletter and social media channels. She also served on Iowa State University’s African American Studies marketing team, helping promote the program and elevate stories and voices that are often overlooked.

For Sarah, preserving and promoting Black history extends beyond the classroom — it’s a personal commitment. She believes that understanding marginalized communities is essential to understanding society as a whole and that journalism can be a powerful force for education, accountability and change. Her passion for visual storytelling has also led to published photography in both the Iowa State Daily and the Ames Voice.

Sarah plans to pursue a career in investigative journalism, with a focus on exposing disparities in missing-person cases involving African Americans. She also hopes to produce documentaries that examine medical failures and systemic inequities affecting Black communities. Through impactful reporting and visual storytelling, she aims to inform the public, challenge injustice and help build a more equitable society.