J. Gabriel Ware

is a former reporting and editorial intern and solutions reporter at Yes! He worked on the assignment desk and as a field producer for ABC News in New York and Los Angeles, where he covered the Harvey Weinstein trial, George Floyd protests in New York, and COVID-19. J. Gabriel is also a screenwriter who incorporates solutions journalism in his stories. His first screenplay, “Jakayla” was placed in the Austin Film Festival and won Third Place in the Cinestory Feature Retreat and Fellowship competition. He can be reached at [email protected]

Articles By This Author

Economy

Where a Free Meal for Food-Insecure Families Is Just a Text Away

A tech startup has developed a way to bridge the nutrition gap for families, at least in the short term.

J. Gabriel Ware | Feb 22, 2022

Mental health

The First Guaranteed Basic Income Program Designed for Single Black Moms

The Magnolia Mother’s Trust asks participants what they need to not only pay the bills but also to fight generational poverty.

J. Gabriel Ware | Nov 6, 2018

Social Justice

4 Black Female Judges Use Their Courtrooms to Break the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Inspired by Ava DuVernay’s documentary ‘13th,’ and their own experiences, these women mentor youth to keep them out of the criminal justice system.

J. Gabriel Ware | Sep 19, 2018

Clean elections

It’s Young Black Women’s Turn in Michigan

At 23, Myya Jones is running for state representative. She’s at the forefront of a wave of Black women running for office.

J. Gabriel Ware | Jun 11, 2018

Democracy

An Unusual Way to Rescue a City From Blight—Bees

As the city removes thousands of blighted properties, this couple saw an opportunity to support a cooperative economy.

J. Gabriel Ware | May 17, 2018

Social Justice

When They Couldn’t Afford Internet Service, They Built Their Own

The digital justice project is putting people online and providing technology training in Detroit neighborhoods.

J. Gabriel Ware | Mar 26, 2018

Environment

Meet the Man Bringing Cheap Renewable Energy to His Hometown

“I wanted to bring these projects to the community, so people can see renewable energy working.”

J. Gabriel Ware | Jan 26, 2018

Democracy

Houston Neighbors Said No to Walmart and Invested in Black-Owned Businesses After the Hurricane

Communities of color turned to each other to make it through the disaster. Months later, they’re doing the same to rebuild.

J. Gabriel Ware | Nov 29, 2017

Social Justice

The New Co-op Helping Ex-Inmates Find Work—and Recover

Washington, D.C., has the highest incarceration rate in the country. That’s why Juan Reid launched this cooperative owned and operated by ex-inmates.

J. Gabriel Ware | Oct 18, 2017

Issues

Meet the Playwrights Bringing Social Justice to the Stage

These women are helping audiences empathize with issues in a way that a book or an article can’t.

J. Gabriel Ware | Oct 7, 2017

Issues

Love Little Free Libraries? These People Didn’t Stop at Books

From seed banks to free food pantries, the little library movement is taking off in neighborhoods across the country.

J. Gabriel Ware | Sep 27, 2017

Social Justice

It’s More Than a Church Parking Lot. It’s a Safe Zone for Homeless Women and Families

Some say safe-parking programs aren’t a solution to homelessness. But these women and families are grateful this church has one.

J. Gabriel Ware | Sep 15, 2017

Social Justice

Black Neighbors Band Together to Bring in Healthy Food, Co-op-Style

And the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network is creating other ways for Black people to circulate healthy food—and wealth.

J. Gabriel Ware | Sep 11, 2017

Health & Happiness

The Podcast Taking on Racism in the Food Industry

A chef and journalist started “The Racist Sandwich Podcast” to address inequity in the restaurant industry. Today, it’s winning award nominations and fans worldwide.

J. Gabriel Ware | Jul 21, 2017

Environment

Blackfeet Researcher Leads Her Tribe Back to Traditional Foods

Forced assimilation destroyed most nations’ diets, but now Native youth are learning to integrate local foods back into their daily lives.

J. Gabriel Ware | Jun 6, 2017

Issues

Meet the People Whose Job Is Checking Facts

We’ve got enough political commentators. We need more fact checkers.

J. Gabriel Ware | Jun 2, 2017

Democracy

Why AARP Is Backing a New Lobbying Group for Millennials

AARP has awarded the Association of Young Americans a $35,000 grant—and both organizations say it’s just the beginning of their relationship.

J. Gabriel Ware | Apr 20, 2017

Economy

Winners (and Losers) in New York’s Plan to Make College Free

The first-in-the-nation scholarship program would serve about 1.5 million full-time students. But there are downsides.

J. Gabriel Ware | Apr 13, 2017

Social Justice

Ethnic Studies Courses Break Down Barriers and Benefit Everyone—So Why the Resistance?

As cities incorporate curricula that deconstruct stereotypes and negative assumptions about race, advocates say everyone wins. Others argue they just promote resentment.

J. Gabriel Ware | Mar 23, 2017

Democracy

In a Rust Belt Town Where Tuition Is Covered, Economy Begins to Revive

After Kalamazoo, Michigan, offered college tuition for nearly all high school graduates, dropout rates declined and the city’s population began to rebound.

J. Gabriel Ware | Mar 2, 2017

Environment

Why the People Who Grow Your Food Are Worried About Scott Pruitt

Pruitt’s approach to the EPA is likely to threaten farmworkers, who are highly exposed to the effects of climate change, including heat stress and increased pesticide use.

James Trimarco, J. Gabriel Ware | Feb 23, 2017