Jenny Abamu

Maryland

Editor-in-Chief at JAM CQ

Author of The Herd. Editor-in-chief of JAM CQ. X-US Diplomat. Byline in a lot of places. Views expressed here are mine. Theme song: https://t.co/O3W7iMLzvg

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Articles

A New Role

6 days ago | jennyabamu.com | Jenny Abamu

If youāve followed my work before, you probably know I covered education at WAMU (DCās local NPR station) and EdSurge. After a winding journey that took me from the newsroom to the State Department (literally around the world and back), Iām thrilled to be back in public radioāthis time as the Maryland reporter covering politics and policy. Thereās something deeply meaningful about returning to tell the stories that shape the place where your children are growing up.
Turks. A Culture of Defiance.

Mar 26, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

One of my favorite ways to surprise Americans when we talk about Turkey is to let them listen to Duman, a Turkish rock band founded in 1999. My favorite song from them, “Senden Daha Güzel,” is a headbanging melody that resonates even more deeply when you’re a bit buzzed, and it makes Americans question every assumption they hold about the country. And they absolutely should.
Why Trump’s Leadership Culture Gives Hamas an Opening

Mar 12, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

President Donald Trump has a high risk tolerance, an individualistic decision-making style, a hierarchical leadership approach, and a transactional negotiation methodology—all cultural traits that our JAM CQ Middle East analyst, Muhammad Dabbour, says give Hamas hope.
RIP the Western Bloc?

Mar 5, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

One of my favorite historical periods is the Cold War. I’ve devoured countless books on it because I find the concept of entire nations aligning and going to war over competing ideologies or cultures fascinating. Between 1947 and 1991, the United States championed its capitalistic, free-market democracy against the Soviet Union’s communism.
As American Companies Move Away From DEI, Should You Move Somewhere Else?

Feb 26, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

It’s funny how certain corporate backtracks on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) can feel so personal—especially for Black people. Take Target, for instance. When it first expanded its offerings to include more Black haircare products, festive Black Santa outfits, and other items reflecting aspects of our culture, I remember feeling an odd little jolt of pride. Before that, finding quality hair products for myself or my kids usually meant a trip to the local beauty supply store.
Montgomery County leaders brace for the worst amid hits to federal workers and agencies

Feb 24, 2025 | wamu.org | Jenny Abamu

With unprecedented force, the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), run by billionaire Elon Musk, has attempted to lash federal contracts, jobs and even entire agencies under direction from President Donald Trump. Like many federal entities, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is navigating a wave of pink slips, which have sown confusion and led to the resignation of at least two top officials.
Why American Families Are Flocking to Overseas Summer Camps

Feb 19, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

Over the course of this year, I’ve been thinking about how I can use my global experiences to make out-of-the-box, more enriching life choices for myself and my children. One idea that I have not only mulled over but have built an entire online testing platform for is spending summers overseas. And I am not alone in my thoughts. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of American parents are rethinking how they spend their summer months.
Cultural Complications With Trump’s Middle East Riviera Vision

Feb 12, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

“Ama yabancı.” But he is a foreigner. Those two words—casually tossed out by a Turkish colleague who didn’t realize I spoke the language well enough to understand him—still echo in my mind. It was 2012, and I taught middle school English in Istanbul. We had just held a contest for the best English-language speech in the school. An Iraqi fifth grader stole the show: He was charismatic, eloquent, and spoke with confidence that put older students to shame.
The Battle Over USAID and Federal Work Culture That No One Is Talking About

Feb 5, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

I recently met a doctor at a friend’s holiday party. He gave up a high salary to pursue public health work in Southeast Asia with USAID, risking his own safety and health to provide medical care in communities with dire needs. He spoke earnestly about his calling to public health, almost with a religious fervor. He shared stories about having to make do, grappling with tough decisions on who received help and who went without, all while contending with understaffed and under-resourced conditions.
This Racket Sport is Transforming America’s Fitness Culture

Jan 29, 2025 | jamcq.com | Jenny Abamu

I recently showed up at a Monday afternoon pickleball clinic, expecting maybe half a dozen newbies. But when I arrived, the local gym floor looked like a party: Around 25 adults filled every available court, paddles in hand, waiting for their turn to play. The instructor joked, calling out to the crowd, “Don’t you all have jobs?” Apparently not—at least not during pickleball hour. The courts filled with teams of two, and some of us even had to linger on the sidelines to rotate in.