is a Special Assignments Reporter at the Houston Defender via Report for America and an inaugural Ida B. Wells Society Investigative Reporting Fellow.

Learn more about Tannistha in this Q&A.

Please briefly describe your reporting project.

My investigative project examines how students of color at five predominantly white institutions (PWIs) across Texas are navigating campus life in the wake of Senate Bill 17, which banned diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs at public universities. Through in-depth interviews, policy analysis and institutional data, the project explores how the rollback has reshaped student experiences, from mental health and sense of belonging to access to cultural organizations and mentorship opportunities. It also investigates how universities have responded to the law, whether by quietly restructuring DEI functions or dismantling long-standing initiatives altogether. Centering the voices of Black and Latino students, the series reveals the human impact of statewide policy on campus culture, equity and representation, raising critical questions about who feels seen and supported in Texas higher education today.

What made you apply to this program?

I applied to the Ida B. Wells Society Investigative Reporting Fellowship because I wanted to strengthen my ability to produce deeply reported, accountability-driven journalism that centers marginalized communities. The fellowship’s focus on data and public-interest storytelling aligned with my commitment to uncovering systemic issues in education, housing and local policy. I saw it as an opportunity to gain mentorship from experienced investigative journalists, refine my research and data analysis skills and access resources that would elevate my ongoing project on the experiences of students of color at Texas PWIs in the aftermath of Senate Bill 17. Ultimately, Ida B. Wells’s legacy of truth-telling continues to help journalists build a body of work that exposes injustice and informs the public.

What is the most impactful investigative reporting tool/trick you learned through this fellowship?

The most impactful investigative reporting tool I learned through the Fellowship was how to use public records strategically to connect systemic patterns to lived experiences. I learned not just how to file open records requests, but how to craft them precisely, targeting emails, contracts and internal reports that reveal institutional behavior behind official statements. Pairing that with data visualization and narrative structure, I discovered how to make complex information accessible and emotionally resonant.

Why was it important to pursue/publish this story idea and what impact do you see it having?

It was important to pursue and publish this story because the rollback of DEI initiatives under Senate Bill 17 isn’t just a policy shift, it’s a profound cultural and emotional rupture for students of color navigating spaces that were never built with them in mind. By documenting their stories across five Texas PWIs, the investigation exposes how the law affects students’ sense of belonging, access to resources and mental well-being in ways that numbers alone can’t capture.

Publishing this story ensures that their experiences aren’t erased amid political rhetoric. It gives voice to those most directly impacted, holds institutions accountable for how they interpret and implement SB 17 and helps policymakers and the public understand the real human stakes behind “anti-DEI” laws. The project’s impact lies in sparking dialogue about equity and representation in higher education.

Why is investigative journalism important to you?

Investigative journalism is important to me because it’s the most powerful way to hold institutions accountable and give a voice to communities that are often ignored or misrepresented. It goes beyond surface-level storytelling to uncover the systems and power dynamics shaping people’s everyday lives. As a journalist of color, I see investigative work as both truth-telling and preservation, a way to document realities that others might overlook and to ensure our communities are seen with depth, dignity and context.

It’s also about impact. Investigative reporting has the power to spark reform and challenge narratives that maintain inequality. For me, every investigation is an act of care and courage, a chance to connect data with humanity, to confront silence with evidence and to continue the legacy of journalists like Ida B. Wells, who used truth as a tool for justice.