R.U.S.A Member Profile Announcement

SECTION I – PERSONAL INFORMATION

Full Legal Name: Benjamin Valentin
Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY): 04/22/1996
Age: 29
Gender: Male
Citizenship Status: United States Citizen
Place of Birth (City, State): Harlem, New York
Current Residence: Washington, D.C.

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SECTION II – BACKGROUND & QUALIFICATIONS

Education History:

• Rutgers University (2014–2018) – B.A. Journalism & Media Studies
• Columbia University (2019–2020) – M.S. Broadcast Journalism

Employment / Service History:

• News Intern, WNBC New York (2017–2018)
• Field Reporter, NJ24 News (2018–2021)
• News Reporter, CNN News (2021–Present)

Languages Spoken:

• English (Fluent)
• Spanish (Fluent)

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SECTION III – POLITICAL & CIVIC INFORMATION

Political Affiliation: Independent
Home State / Jurisdiction: New York
Government Role or Occupation: Press / News Reporter
Years of Experience: 6 years covering politics and public policy

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SECTION IV – CHARACTER PROFILE

Personality Summary:
Sharp, composed, and curious. Calm under pressure, asks direct questions. Values truth, transparency, and accountability; persistent and sometimes skeptical of authority.

Biography / Background Summary:
Benjamin Valentin grew up in Harlem and developed an early interest in storytelling and community issues. Motivated to amplify overlooked voices, he pursued journalism. After Rutgers and Columbia, he advanced quickly in regional news, earning recognition for strong field reporting.

Significant Achievements or Incidents:

• Broke a major city council corruption story (2020)
• “Rising Journalist of the Year” (2021)
• Covered national elections and press briefings
• Known for a viral interview challenging a high-ranking official

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SECTION V – PUBLIC PRESENCE

Known Affiliations / Organizations:

• National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
• Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)

Public Image / Reputation:
Respected as a tough but fair reporter; widely seen as credible and reliable.