Unheard Voices Networks is an award-winning digital media communications company founded by Mr. Covin, rooted in advocacy and community storytelling.
While living in Neptune, New Jersey, Mr. Covin witnessed firsthand the social inequities and lack of diverse representation affecting his neighborhood. He recognized a pressing need for platforms that uplift the voices of people of color and reflect the realities of underrepresented communities.
Driven by civic responsibility, Mr. Covin approached a local media outlet to spotlight these issues. When his concerns were dismissed as misaligned with the outlet’s priorities, he refused to be silenced. Drawing on his academic background in English and Africana Studies from Rutgers University, Mr. Covin committed to amplifying the stories others overlooked.
In 2004, that commitment took shape as Unheard Voices—a grassroots newsletter created with the help of his son. Together, they distributed the publication throughout Neptune and placed copies in corner stores across Asbury Park, New Jersey, ensuring the community had access to stories that mattered.
Unheard Voices broadens its horizons
In 2007, Unheard Voices expanded its reach by launching an online platform—amplifying not only the voices of Asbury Park, Neptune, and Long Branch, but also spotlighting national stories that impact everyday lives.
As its digital presence grew, Unheard Voices forged meaningful collaborations with a wide range of inclusive organizations, including Midtown Urban Renaissance Corporation, Two River Theater, Emmis Communications, Kappa Alpha Psi, Omega Psi Phi, Long Branch Housing Authority, local NAACP chapters, and faith-based institutions. Through these partnerships, the platform has continued to elevate positive narratives about people of color, while addressing critical issues such as race relations, systemic inequities, and social justice within the African American community.
Through its uncompromising coverage, Unheard Voices became a vital force in amplifying stories that mainstream outlets often overlooked. The platform played a key role in shedding light on the tragic deaths of Trayvon Martin and Jerean Blake, and worked closely with Penny Dees to elevate public awareness around the heartbreaking story of Quiana Dees—ensuring these voices were not forgotten.
Beyond its commitment to social justice, Unheard Voices has cultivated a strong presence in the music and entertainment industry, offering emerging and independent artists a space to be heard. The platform partnered with ReverbNation, served as a media sponsor for acclaimed showcases like Unplugged NYC and Memoirs of a Starving Artist, and built relationships with major music labels and public relations firms to feature exclusive interviews with their talent.
Unheard Voices also stepped into television production as a co-producer of Dirty Laundry: The Sitcom, further expanding its commitment to storytelling across mediums. The platform continued to uplift emerging talent by hosting music showcases that gave deserving artists a stage to share their voices and connect with new audiences.
Rooted deeply in community engagement, Unheard Voices collaborates with David Wronko, a history teacher in the Asbury Park School District, to spotlight student achievements and support his ongoing educational exchange initiative with Ghana—bridging local learning with global awareness.
In 2015, Unheard Voices partnered with the Long Branch Housing Authority to launch a media communications and technology internship program. Designed to empower local residents, the initiative offered hands-on training in journalism, digital content creation, and computer science—equipping participants with the tools to tell their own stories and thrive in a digital world.
Awards
Unheard Voices is the recipient of the CV Magazine Media Innovator Award, NAACP Unsung Hero Award, nominated for the Shorty Awards, has been featured on outlets such as NBC, CBS, NJ TV, Huffington Post, Monmouth University, and was recognized by Neptune Township and the State of NJ.
Unheard Voices is one of the few media communications companies focused on social justice media coverage and initiatives in the United States.
Network
Unheard Voices Networks strives to be a beacon for the voiceless by cultivating positive images, changing the narrative about people of color and minorities, telling the story of the everyday “unheard voice”, and helping music artists get their voices heard.
The company has broadened their horizons by creating subsidiaries under the company: Unheard Voices Magazine LLC, Jerseyvoices.com, Jerseyshorevoices.com, Unheard Voices Radio, Unheard Voices PR, and Unheard Underground.
Now based in the Baltimore-Washington DC area, the company not only focuses on social journalism but advocacy and speaking at workshops and schools on how to empower your voice through digital media communications and tech.
History
In 2012, Unheard Voices launched its internship program in conjunction with the Adam Bucky James Community Center in Long Branch, NJ. The program allowed students to gain skills in journalism, video production, digital media production, and content management.
In 2011, Unheard Voices Networks and Kevin Cheatham Players collaborated to develop Dirty Laundry The Sitcom. The 11 episode series was filmed live at the Adam Bucky James Center in Long Branch, NJ. Watch the series on YouTube
In 2010, the Neptune-Asbury Park NAACP Chapter honored Unheard Voices with the Unsung Hero Award for the media company’s contributions to the community.
Unheard Voices transitions from unheard-voices to unheardvoicesmag.com & unheardvoicesmagazine.com. This served as a branding restructure, aligning the company as an online magazine registered as Unheard Voices Magazine. Unheard Voices first major story of the year, was the brutal rape of a 7-year-old girl in Trenton, New Jersey and the mayor…Read More
In 2007 the company realized it was time to bring the concept online. The website started as unheard-voices.com and added Long Branch, New Jersey voices to its coverage, while also tackling national stories on social issues and race relations. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b_o6s1NEcw https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6svSKOe1t3I
Unheard Voices was founded by Mr. Covin, when he was troubled by the climate within his community. As a resident of Neptune, New Jersey, Mr. Covin began to see social issues and the overall need for a positive voice for people of color. As a concerned citizen, Mr. Covin approached…Read More