Zulekha Nathoo

9 min readAug 10, 2020

Zulekha Nathoo currently works as a reporter, producer and host for USA TODAY. She’s filed digital, video and audio stories from Atlanta, New York, Mississippi and Los Angeles. Her pieces are a mix of hard news and features, focusing on representation, human interest deep-dives and pop culture. Some of her recent work can be found below.

Rubble, death and help from strangers: What it's like to flee war-torn Gaza

With more than 80% of Palestinians forcibly displaced in Gaza, some are wondering whether they will ever be able to…

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L.A.’s state of emergency on homelessness: How a street medicine team is treating patients in a…

Healthcare In Action, a mobile unit with nurses, doctors and a therapist, are helping dozens of unhoused patients get…

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Nonnas know best: At this restaurant, grandmas do all the cooking

This kitchen is run by grandmas from all over the world, which means home-cooked dishes, secret family recipes and a…

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'That sense of threat is still there': How to protect your mental health after seeing the police…

USA TODAY spoke with three experts about collective grief, Black trauma and how to protect your mental health after the…

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Runner performed life-saving CPR during half-marathon. Then he finished the race and did it again.

The biggest concern for Dr. Steve Lome before starting the Monterey Bay Half Marathon along the California coast last…

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Most U.S. monuments honor men. A new sculpture in Atlanta honors Coretta Scott King.

More than 90% of U.S. monuments honor men. So it's a big deal that a new sculpture in Atlanta honors the late civil…

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First Black climber to summit Everest celebrates first all-Black expedition: 'Keep going'

After 51 days, seven people from the first all-Black expedition to climb Everest reached the top. Now they want to…

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How a dog's natural instincts save a woman with epilepsy

An Indiana woman with epilepsy credits her dog's natural instincts with regularly protecting her from danger when she…

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'Grieving in a fishbowl': How a camp is helping kids cope with death after COVID

Families are used to seeing children's summer camps for every interest from basketball to baking. But there's another…

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'He's with them still': Family reunited with message in bottle written by their late son decades…

A Mississippi family has been reunited with a message in a bottle written by their late son 33 years ago. "Love never…

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Why gaining her sight was only the first step for a woman born blind

A woman in Los Angeles who was born legally blind is on a mission to educate the public about disabilities and…

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First graders save Alabama teacher from medical emergency

First graders at an Alabama elementary school are being hailed as heroes for taking quick action to help their teacher…

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Cancer survivor to run 600th marathon: 'It can't tell me what I can do'

Tom Perri has run a marathon in all 50 states. In fact, he has done that multiple times. He averages 36 races a year…

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Meals, clothes and shelter: How the world is helping Ukrainian refugees

From warm meals at the border to ridesharing and spontaneous homestay offers, strangers are reaching out to help…

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'He's my hero': 80-year-old rescues stranded drivers in blizzard after social media SOS

REGINA, Sask. - An 80-year-old Canadian man guided multiple cars to safety during a severe snowstorm in an act of…

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How one TikTok video started a movement to support LGBTQ couples on their wedding day

COLUMBUS, Mo. - She had a simple courthouse wedding, but Tracy Dieleman says it was the happiest day of her life thanks…

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The people penalised for expressing feelings at work

Every office has unspoken social norms around how workers are expected to feel in a given situation, and how those…

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Searching for Solace - A Better Life? Podcast

Jasmine Jiwani is part of Atlanta's large Ismaili Muslim community. Covid restrictions prevented the community from…

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Why diverse hires can't always escape tokenism

Cheyenne's interview to become an assistant at a large New York City hair salon only lasted five minutes before she got…

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Why ineffective diversity training won't go away

Most people who start a new company job know the drill. In addition to meetings and an office tour, orientation day…

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Why people of colour are misidentified so often

The first time it happened, business analyst Anupma Bakshi was working in Amsterdam. A colleague had responded to an…

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'Failing up': Why some climb the ladder despite mediocrity

It's the lacklustre associate who makes partner despite a poor record, even though you've been working around the clock…

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Why getting a name right matters

Canadian radio host Nana aba Duncan decided a decade ago she no longer wanted to go by nicknames and instead reclaim…

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How can employees also be social-media activists?

This feature uses a computer-generated synthetic voice. There may be some errors, for example in pronunciation…

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How to talk to kids about race, and why you should start now | CBC News

The worldwide protests against police brutality and systemic racism that began last week after the death of George…

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Last of Us 2 has 'changed the game' for accessibility | CBC News

Six years in the making, the highly anticipated PlayStation 4 video game The Last of Us 2 is taking the industry to a…

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Why the future of fitness could remain in your living room | CBC News

As gyms across North America prepare to reopen, many trainers who have managed to gain a following online during…

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Never had she ever been on screen but Canadian teen shines in new Mindy Kaling comedy | CBC News

She's starring in a teen comedy series on Netflix - well-timed for quarantine life during the pandemic - and counts…

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Lovers in a dangerous time: Dating during a pandemic comes with baggage | CBC News

The COVID-19 pandemic might be forcing weeks of physical distancing but it's also driving many people to seek out…

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As Schitt's Creek bids farewell, fans cling to its levity and 'humanity' | CBC News

It has earned multiple Emmy Award nominations and a celebrity following that includes singer Mariah Carey and NBA star…

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Haven't heard of Zoom-bombing? Find out why the FBI has issued a warning about the teleconferencing…

Zoom has emerged as an indispensable video conferencing tool for remote work and study as millions of people are forced…

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How home isolation due to COVID-19 can make or break a relationship | CBC News

With so many couples and families spending more time at home in isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, some are…

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How the NFL is trying to change its image after last year's halftime controversy | CBC News

The NFL will try to put last year's controversy over the Super Bowl halftime show behind it when the league tests out…

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The women breaking the music industry mould

Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Canada's Jessie Reyez are Grammy nominated artists who took their music and image into their…

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Why Clint Eastwood-directed Richard Jewell is at the centre of a debate on the portrayal of women…

The Clint Eastwood-directed film Richard Jewell, based on the real life story of a security guard wrongly accused of…

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'I feel in charge of my life': Céline Dion on her new tour, music and outlook | CBC News

Céline Dion is wrapping up her longtime residency in Las Vegas, but the pop icon says she's heading into a "big" new…

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'We stand with you': Choir!Choir!Choir! performs at U.S.-Mexico border | CBC News

The Toronto-based singing group Choir!Choir!Choir! staged a performance Sunday at the U.S.-Mexico border, saying the…

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Grassroots call for art donations to seniors draws national support during pandemic | CBC News

What began as a call to local artists, asking for donations of Canadian artwork to seniors' residences, has blossomed…

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Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape, sex assault, but acquitted of predatory sexual assault | CBC News

A New York jury has found Harvey Weinstein guilty of rape and sexual assault in a landmark case for the #MeToo…

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The rise of romantic films: Why the genre is blossoming after years of abandon | CBC News

The recent renaissance of romantic films continues this Valentine's weekend, with two major releases that have Canadian…

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'Money can't buy cool': The gentrification of sneaker culture | CBC News

Pricey and limited edition sneakers can have people waiting in line for hours to get their hands on a pair. But unique…

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Women shut out of director category, as Golden Globes open Hollywood award season | CBC News

From a cutting comedian as host to the significance of the awards show to the #MeToo movement, the Golden Globes are…

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Small Canadian films make big splash in Hollywood | CBC News

Two homegrown films are finding success in Hollywood on their own terms - by putting Canadian stories and settings…

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Exposé on Bikram yoga founder calls for #MeToo reckoning | CBC News

The Netflix documentary, Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator, is following the lead of several recent films in its attempt to…

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Video game company backpedals after disqualifying esports player for political comments | CBC News

Video game behemoth Activision Blizzard is returning prize money and reducing its ban on a Hong Kong-based pro esports…

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Divisive abortion law won't drive Tyler Perry out of Georgia. He's doubling down | CBC News

Director-producer Tyler Perry, best known for creating and portraying the tough-talking, elderly character Madea…

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Despite strict embargo, Margaret Atwood's The Testaments accidentally released | CBC News

It's been shrouded in secrecy for months. Bookstore owners even had to sign an embargo agreement to keep it locked in a…

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Courting controversy: Why some polarizing ads could be strategic marketing | CBC News

Dior pulled a new cologne ad after the luxury brand was accused of cultural appropriation, but not before it generated…

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If you're boycotting SoulCycle, watch out: Marvel, New York Fashion Week could be next | CBC News

Those calling for a boycott of companies like SoulCycle and Equinox following a controversial fundraiser for Donald…

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Detroit music festival removes race-based ticket prices | CBC News

A local music festival in Detroit has moved away from ticket prices based on race after drawing international attention…

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Hollywood goes back to school in search of under-represented filmmakers | CBC News

Some major studios have announced inclusion programs to help give under-represented filmmakers a foot in the door. The…

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'He's a good investment': Auction house on Michael Jackson memorabilia 10 years after death | CBC…

Ten years after his death and several months after the release of the disturbing documentary Leaving Neverland, Michael…

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Comedies Late Night and Booksmart showcase the power of women on both sides of the camera | CBC…

Mindy Kaling's heartwarming new comedy Late Night is among a slate of films set to be released over the summer with…

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When They See Us, Chernobyl and the power of historical drama | CBC News

Two recently released small-screen productions based on true stories - When They See Us and Chernobyl - are sparking…

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'Some kind of colonial hangover': Criticism mounts over photo of Miss India finalists | CBC News

It's a competition with the power to change women's lives in a nation of 1.3 billion people, but this year's Miss India…

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Georgia's new abortion law fuels Hollywood boycott | CBC News

Georgia's new law restricting abortion access is sparking a growing outcry in Hollywood, with some production companies…

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Actress Sandra Oh reflects on her banner year and her coded 'shoutout' to Canadians | CBC News

There was this year's Golden Globe win. Her Screen Actor's Guild Award. Last year's ground-breaking Emmy nomination…

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Why K-pop band BTS is becoming a household name in N. America | CBC News

They're the only Korean pop band to present at the Grammys, they broke a record on YouTube with their latest video and…

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Guggenheim won't take money anymore from Sackler opioid-maker family | CBC News

The Guggenheim in New York is the latest major art institution to stop accepting money from the Sackler family…

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Targeted ads, over-the-top spending and whisper campaigns: Inside the fierce race for Oscar victory…

With no clear front-runner, and audience favourites like Bohemian Rhapsody and Green Book embroiled in controversy, the…

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A massive gender gap might explain why no female composers were nominated for an Oscar | CBC News

The lack of any female nominees for original score at this year's Academy Awards highlights another major discrepancy…

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Hollywood responds to the Jussie Smollett case

CBC's Zulekha Nathoo gathers reaction to the Jussie Smollett story at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards…

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Prada calls them 'imaginary creatures' but shoppers call the products 'blackface' | CBC News

Prada has removed a series of products from its stores worldwide after accusations the items were racist and depicted…

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How being political is becoming a calling card on Hollywood's red carpet | CBC News

Hollywood's red carpets used to be for fashion statements, but more and more, it's the place for political ones too…

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Joni Mitchell at 75: Icon attends birthday bash of star-studded performances | CBC News

Canadian icon Joni Mitchell was honoured in Los Angeles on Wednesday with a star-studded gala marking her 75th birthday…

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#MeToo a year later: How this Hollywood acting coach revamped the way she teaches | CBC News

The head of a renowned acting school in Los Angeles says a year after the allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein…

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#MeToo has made strides whether Kavanaugh is confirmed or not. Here's why | CBC News

The decision to confirm U.S. Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh may or may not be viewed as a potential marker for…

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