Misson

What is our goal at Noir Neon Vibes?

Noir Neon Vibes is news media organization that will provide a platform for black and queer voices. I want to highlight black excellence by promoting black own businesses and celebrating leaders in our city. I want to give pop culture commentary and address social issues often ignored by mainstream media. I want to deliver news that connects with the community through storytelling.  

Flonora Merritt

Flonora Merritt is an advisor for Friendship News Network (FNN), the high school journalism program at Friendship Collegiate Academy in Washington, DC. Graduating from Friendship Collegiate High School in 2008 as a salutatorian, she returned to her alma mater to run FNN at Collegiate and take it to new places. In high school, she served as editor-in-chief of Rated-T magazine and played a key role in its transition to digital media.

Merritt is a self-taught photographer and video editor. When her students wanted to learn photography and broadcasting, she trained herself so they could have the full experience. She’s been teaching journalism, photography, and video production for 9 years now. Since then, her students’ work has been featured in Collegiate’s high school yearbooks, the FNN website codefnn.com, and in other publications like Afro.com.

Venturing into video production has led to a growing YouTube Channel with nearly 500 subscribers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the DC Arts and Humanities Council, she produced a documentary on gentrification in DC with her students, titled Fading Color. The film premiered in October 2022 at the Reach Theater in the Kennedy Center. Fading Color can be seen on codefnn.com/documentaries.

Two years ago, Merritt started her digital publication, Noir Neon Vibes, a platform to amplify black and queer voices with two podcasts, Neon Mic and Virtual Road Rage; a newsletter called NNV Catch Up; and a photo blog—all on her website, noirneonvibes.org.

Photo by Bernadette Dare.

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  • Braylon Wims (He/Him)

    COMMENTATOR/REPORTER

    Braylon Wims graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in 2023. He was born and raised in Washington, DC. He specializes in reporting, interviewing, and video editing. He enjoys video production because it allows him to show off his personality, develop new skills, meet new people, and travel places. Braylon’s career goal is to build a barber shop and make it a worldwide franchise. He is currently attending the University of Alabama on a full-ride scholarship. If you want to collaborate on future projects, email him at braylonwims1@gmail.com.

  • Micheal Joyner (He/Him)

    COMMENTATOR/VIDEO EDITOR

    Micheal Joyner graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in 2023. He was born and raised in Washington, DC. He worked for his high school news publication, codefnn.com. He was the editor-in-chief and videographer. He enjoys the arts because it allows him to turn his imagination into reality. Micheal’s career goal is to become a videographer/cinematographer. He currently attends SUNY Oswego. If you want to collaborate on future projects, or require a videographer, email him at michealjoyner19@gmail.com.

  • Aneara Burns (She/They)

    COMMENTATOR/ASSISTANT

    Aneara Burns is a photographer, videographer, video editor, commentator, and college student. She is currently enrolled in Arizona State University (ASU) Local, majoring in Broadcast Journalism. During the pandemic, she also co-produced a documentary about gentrification in D.C. called “Fading Color”.

  • SyQuan Clark (He/They)

    COMMENTATOR/PHOTOGRAPHER

    SyQuan Clark is a native Washingtonian freelance photographer. He describes himself as animated, fun, queer and the most interesting person you’ll meet. He specializes in portrait photography.

  • Benji Mallory (He/They)

    PHOTOGRAPHER

    Benji Mallory is a photojournalist. He graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in 2023. He was born and raised in Washington, DC. Benji loves photography and journalism because they are creative outlets for him to show and have a voice on topics that matter to him. His career goal is to continue using photography and stories to bring attention to issues that don’t always get the attention they deserve.

  • Alexander Santos (He/Him)

    PHOTOGRAPHER

    Alexander Santos is a photojournalist. He graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in 2023. He was born and raised in Washington, DC. He loves photography because it allows him to see the world’s beauty. His career goal is to achieve his dream of becoming an all-around world mechanic/photographer. If you want to collaborate on future projects, email him at Acephotos1105@gmail.com.

  • Tylar Whitby (She/Her)

    PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER

    Tylar Whitby is a photographer and videographer. She graduated from Friendship Collegiate Academy in 2024. She was born and raised in Washington, DC. Tylar loves photography because it allows her to capture happy moments in life and beautiful locations. Her career goals are to be a photographer and to have her own photography business. If you want to collaborate on future projects, email her at whitbytylar18@gmail.com.

  • Rodger Zodas Brown III (He/Him)

    GRAPHIC DESIGNER

    Rodger Zodas Brown III is a self-taught designer with a love for storytelling. He is an illustrator and lover of anime. Hailing from Washington, DC and a graduate of FAMU, Rodger is passionate about community. "It's the vivid perspectives of people that bring the art to life."

    thefrndsbrand.com

  • Maestro (He/Him/Xe/Xem)

    PHOTOJOURNALIST

    Maestro Joyner is a photojournalist, video editor, and college student. He plans to major in Journalism and Sociology on a full-ride scholarship. During 2024, Xe has done astounding things like participating in Princeton University’s Summer Journalism program, Washington Association of Black Journalists Urban Journalism Workshop, and both National Geographic’s Photo Camp in DC and Student Travel in Japan. He also delves into nerd culture through anime conventions and LGBTQIA+ issues, as well as intersectional conversations. Xe’s career goal is to work for either Associated Press or Vox Magazine.

  • Marcel Gallion (She/They/Them)

    GRAPHIC DESIGNER/COMMENTARY

    Marcie Gallion is a 27-year-old born Washingtonian. They have an AA Degree in Graphic Design & Art from the University of District of Columbia as well as 10+ years of experience in different artistic mediums like photo editing, photography, digital art, and traditional arts.