NPR Arts Reporter, Mandalit del Barco visits Southeast

Mandalit del Barco, NPR Arts Desk reporter, met with Southeast Missouri State University students and gave a presentation earlier this week, discussing her heritage and journalism career.

Born in Lima, Peru, del Barco dreamt of one day becoming a journalist, just as the three family generations that came before her had been.

“It’s important to remember that we all have a voice,” del Barco said while highlighting the importance of storytelling during her presentation Monday night.

She went on to talk about the importance of education, especially as it related to her family.

“Education has always been very important … a lot of Latinos may be the first to go to college in their family — not mine,” del Barco said.

She told stories of her mother and grandmother attending college, and how having great role models shaped her future.

During her presentation, del Barco also showcased many of her radio pieces that have aired on NPR National over the years. Her pieces included a Christmas heritage story from “All Things Considered,” as well as a family heritage story that was featured on “Latino USA.” She went on to discuss her coverage of arts and entertainment, as well as her involvement at the Grammys and Oscars every year.

Del Barco concluded her presentation by talking about how her family has “always been a family of storytellers.” She told a story about her 5-year-old daughter and her love to also tell stories, saying she knows “how fun it is to tell stories, even when they are made up.” She wrapped up the evening with a clip of her daughter singing her own version of “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” saying she is the newest member of her family “dreaming about the future.”

On Tuesday, del Barco held a master class for students to specifically discuss her journalism career. The master class was followed by a casual lunch that allowed students to have one-on-one interactions with del Barco and ask her questions directly.

Mandalit del Barco’s reports can be heard on NPR through 90.9 KRCU, Southeast Missouri’s public radio station, or streamed online at KRCU.org.