Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Hernandez
Hi Nina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was born and raised here in Austin, Texas, by a single mother. After graduating from the University of Texas, I went to work for The Austin Chronicle, first as a proofreader and eventually working my way up to staff writer. Over a period of six years, I covered land development, environmental issues, and policing, in addition to my work as a music and film critic. I also have bylines in the Austin Monitor, the AV Club, Rolling Stone, and HipHopDX.
After six years with the Chronicle, I began a new chapter becoming a communications associate for an Austin City Council office. Over the next several years, I pursued communications work at the Austin Community Law Center, the Travis County Democratic Party, and Goodwill Central Texas. Although I grew an appreciation for this work, I began to consider ways that I could return to the journalism industry.
That’s why, in 2021, I created Rantz by Neenz, an independent alternative media project that aims to make local news more accessible and hold public officials accountable. Through a combination of straight news reporting, biting political analysis, arts criticism, and personal essay, I strive to highlight the flaws in our political system–especially its obsession with respectability politics over real human outcomes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As the writer, editor, researcher, and chief marketer of my brand, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth or predetermined road. Every week and every reached benchmark is that much more satisfying because of that, though. Each stop of my career gave me a piece of the puzzle I needed to get started, and I learned about newsletter audience development as I went along. It’s been a journey learning how to balance the business and creative sides, but I think when I find that is when my breakthrough moments tend to happen.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Neenz is a character that I use to critique Austin’s political establishment from an outsider’s perspective. In doing this, I aim to draw attention to the inconsistency between Austin’s reputation as a liberal bastion and the unwelcoming environment that communities of color encounter in reality. Additionally, I am deconstructing the role of the journalist in society by rejecting respectability politics and code switching in my interactions with elected officials, other members of the media, and my readership.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
On a personal level, I’ve lived here my whole life and therefore Austin is packed with memories. I love the tourist areas like Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool, and Lady Bird Lake. My favorite stretch of road to drive is still South Lamar, even though it is much different from how it looked when I was growing up. I love how no matter how many people move here we’ve still got a small town vibe. If you’re local, you never know when you’ll run into somebody you know when you’re out and about.
With regard to my work, my favorite thing about this city is also my least favorite thing about this city: the people in it. I make it my business to rib them — and I obviously enjoy it a great deal — but the people in this community are truly what keep me in the business. Austin is weird, and that extends to the people, for sure, but boy do they care. I feel lucky to go to work with people who care so much about each other and the place we all live.
Pricing:
- Free Version
- Monthly Subscription – $5
- Annual Subscription – $60
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rantzbyneenz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsneenzjeez/
- Twitter: https://x.com/itsneenzjeez
Image Credits
Photos by Erica Nix
