Aki Gaythwaite is a recent graduate of Northeastern University where she majored in journalism and media screen studies. There, she developed her interests in documentary filmmaking and multi-media news reporting. She aspires to use her talent as a storyteller and visual-first thinker to make media that informs, inspires, and drives meaningful change in the places it matters most.

Aki has been an associate producer at the Disability Justice Project since Fall 2024. In this role she works to produce and edit short-form documentary videos that expose the injustices and systemic gaps impacting disabled communities in Asia, Africa, and the Pacific. It was through this job that she discovered that her work could influence public opinion, policy, and funding priorities for underrepresented communities.

Through Northeastern’s co-op program Aki has had the opportunity to work full time in positions

In the past Aki has also worked arranging flowers for restaurants and weddings and as a sales associate at a thrift store. She continues to pick up her camera in her personal and professional life as she develops her photojournalism portfolio further.

It’s this diverse set of professional experiences that has helped her realize she works best in environments with

Fueled by curiosity, Aki is eager to explore this field further and make media that teaches.

visual storyteller from New York City with a B.A. in journalism and media studies from Northeastern University. My passion for documentary production stems from my belief that storytelling is one of the most powerful tools to make complex concepts accessible, relatable, and engaging.