Penny Dickerson

Penny Dickerson is an award-winning journalist and storyteller with over 15 years of experience illuminating human experiences through narrative journalism. A proud military-family daughter and the first Black Miss Florida Community College, she earned her B.A. in Journalism from Temple University and later completed an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University. Her work spans ethnic media, healthcare, education, fine arts, and the restaurant industry, and she has been awarded multiple prestigious fellowships that highlight her commitment to issues like cancer, poverty, aging, and social inequity.

Penny’s career reflects a seamless balance between freelance reporting and editorial leadership. She has held senior writer and managing editor roles, most recently covering innovation and entrepreneurship for the Jacksonville Business Journal and has contributed to numerous national and regional publications including EBONY.com, Mosaic Literary Magazine, and the Florida Times-Union. Her writing is known for its empathy, depth, and advocacy, particularly for underserved and underrepresented communities.

Beyond journalism, Penny has dedicated herself to teaching English composition, literature, and nonfiction writing, guiding students to hone their craft while emphasizing critical reading and creativity. She is also deeply committed to community service, volunteering for the United Negro College Fund, Clara White Mission, and various educational initiatives. A former flight attendant and global traveler, Penny brings her curiosity, resilience, and compassion to every endeavor, championing stories that inspire, inform, and drive meaningful change.

• Temple University- B.A.
• Lesley University- M.F.A.
• Florida State College at Jacksonville- A.A.

• Ethnic Media Fellowship
• Journalists in Aging Fellowship Program
• Equal Voice Journalism Fellowship
• Guggenheim Fellowship for Reporting
• Four Freedoms Fund Immigration Fellowship
• Freedom Forum Diversity Institute Graduate
• Leadership Jacksonville
• Miss Florida Community College

• The Jacksonville Center for the Arts
• United Negro College Fund
• Clara White Mission
• Mercy Ships