Hi, I’m Michelle “Shelly” Klug, a Former Al Jazeera and Time Inc. journalist turned nonprofit manager and teacher. I’m also a lifelong surfer and outdoorswoman. Currently taking a gap year from full-time journalism and pursuing freelance writing while adventuring.

Youth Radio

2019 – 2025

Youth Radio is a nonprofit in Oakland, CA aiming to advance journalism opportunities for youth of color and lower-income youth. YR pairs youth ages 13 to 18 with media professionals for 1:1 mentoring and training. I managed the video journalism department and worked with youth in journalism best practices and hands-on training for short and long-form news stories. I served as the managing editor of video content and program manager of video journalism.

Al Jazeera

2014 – 2019

Al Jazeera’s AJ+ channel paved the way for delivering social justice driven news to a younger audience. Here I produced short documentaries and live news content on the beats of environmental injustice, police brutality, inequality and women’s rights for Al Jazeera’s worldwide audience.

Time Inc.

2012–2014

Once upon a time, Time Inc. had a beautiful mountain office in Birmingham, AL. Here, I produced short-form written and video content for Time Inc. lifestyle publications.