The Asian American Journalist Association – Los Angeles, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times, is excited to announce the Greg Yee grant recipient.

Congratulations, Melanie Nguyen! She received funds to cover travel expenses to attend the AAJA national convention in Seattle.

The Gregory Yuen Yee Training Grant was established in honor of the outstanding young journalist who helped shape news coverage through his energy, dedication and precision, especially in chasing breaking news as a member of The Times’ Fast Break desk.

Yee, a sensitive and disciplined writer with exceptional curiosity and empathy, was passionate about local news. In that vein, we find grant recipients who are working to strengthen their storytelling and make deeper connections with their local communities.

Nguyen is a business reporter for the Santa Rosa Press Democrat. Previously, she was a crime reporter for the Bakersfield Californian. Her work has appeared in publications including Voice of OC, Imperial Valley Press and Chino Hills Lifestyle Magazine.

An Orange County native, Melanie graduated from Cal State Fullerton and was a founding board member of the AAJA-CSUF chapter. She was an AAJA VOICES fellow in 2022.