Zulekha Nathoo

9 min readAug 10, 2020

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

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

This story is a collaboration with Humankind, USA TODAY 's good news franchise, for the sixth episode in the series…

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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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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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