Genoa Barrow has worked as a professional journalist for more than 20 years. Genoa serves as the Sacramento Observer’s Senior Staff Writer and produces articles on a variety of topics including ranging from government and politics to education and entertainment, health disparities and the fight for social justice. She counts legendary actress and activist Ruby Dee among her all time favorite interviews. 

As a freelance writer and through partnerships with the NNPA and California Black Media, Genoa’s work has also appeared in publications throughout the country. She also does proofreading/editing/design and layout work, helping her colleagues and other authors shine. Genoa is a founding member of the West Coast Book Team, an online resource for authors, illustrators and publishers. 

Genoa is a former student state president of the Journalism Association of Community Colleges and is a proud alum of The Advocate, Contra Costa College’s nationally acclaimed student paper. After serving as The Advocate’s Editor In Chief, she went on to serve as Executive Editor of The Spartan Daily at San Jose State University.

Genoa’s work as a professional journalist has been recognized by International Women of Color Day, the Sacramento Valley Section of the National Council of Negro Women, SacCultural Hub magazine, the Father’s Resource Center, and the Sacramento Chapter of the Black American Political Association of California (BAPAC). She was recently named a recipient of the 2021 Carrie’s TOUCH Making A Difference Award for continued coverage and support of Black breast cancer survivors. Genoa is also a 2021 California Fellow with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

In 2019, Genoa edited and published her first book, the anthology “Daddy Issues: Black Women Speaking Truth & Healing Wounds,” which tackles the subject of absentee fathers and their impact on their daughters.