I’m Maricarmen Cajahuaringa, a bilingual multimedia journalist, digital media strategist, and storyteller whose work has always centered on people, communities, and the issues that affect their lives. I hold a bachelor’s degree in social work from Springfield College, a master’s degree in journalism and media production from Sacred Heart University, and a certificate in digital marketing from IPM.
My journalism journey began at a Hispanic digital news outlet in Hartford, where I reported, produced, and wrote stories about politics, social issues, and community life across Connecticut. I later partnered with HPATV and made my on-air debut with Explorando Hartford, where I expanded my experience in local news coverage and live production.
In 2019, I founded Boceto Media, a digital news platform created to tell stories for and by Connecticut’s Latino community. As a producer, reporter, content designer, and digital media manager, I covered issues affecting Latino families while developing digital campaigns and audience engagement strategies.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hartford News newspaper approached me about collaborating on coverage of the challenges communities were facing. Together, we reported on health disparities, housing instability, economic hardship, immigration, and local elections at a time when communities needed reliable information.
My commitment to public-service journalism later led me to FOX61 as an assignment desk editor and opened the door to opportunities at several other news organizations. I have since reported and produced for Telemundo Atlanta, NY1 Noticias, NCN, and Connecticut Public Radio/NPR. Working across television, radio, and digital media in both English and Spanish has allowed me to cover a wide range of stories while keeping the people at the center of them.
Before becoming a journalist, I spent seven years working in social work. I worked with individuals and families navigating difficult circumstances and helped connect them with services and resources. My last role in social work was as a project coordinator at an organization focused on preventing sexual abuse, where I coordinated volunteers and led awareness campaigns supporting survivors and expanding outreach at the national level. That experience continues to influence the way I listen, ask questions, and approach the stories I cover.
My curiosity about communication and the way people connect also led me into digital marketing. I founded Shepherd Creative Cloud, a consulting venture focused on social media management, content creation, digital advertising, email campaigns, SEO, and bilingual copywriting. Through this work, I help individuals, nonprofits, and businesses tell their stories, connect with their audiences, and build their digital presence.
For me, journalism and digital media are more than ways to deliver information. They are about listening, building trust, and creating space for people to be heard. Every story offers an opportunity to understand another person's experience and help an audience see an issue from a different perspective.
One quote I live by comes from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
When I’m not reporting or creating content, I enjoy taking long walks with my dog, reading nonfiction, cooking, and staying active. I’m always looking for the next story, the next idea, and another opportunity to grow as a journalist, communicator, and entrepreneur.
