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 that is often ignored by main stream media. I want to deliver news that connects with 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 was editor-in-chief of Rated-T magazine and slowly helped it progress 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, herstudents’ work has been featured in Collegiate’s high school yearbooks, the FNN websitecodefnn.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 epidemic, thanks to a $30,000 grant from the DC Arts and Humanities Council, she produced a documentary on gentrification in DC with her students called Fading Color. The film premiered on October 2022 at the Reach Theater in the KennedyCenter. Fading Color can be seen on codefnn.com/documentaries.

Two years ago, Merritt started her own 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 franchise it around the world. 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, as well as a 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 the 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 love 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 santosalexander0315@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. He career goals are to be a photographer and have my 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. 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 really bring the art to life."

    thefrndsbrand.com