Sescily Coney

Writer, cultural critic, and multimedia storyteller with a background in law, investigative research, and documentary filmmaking.

Former

Business & Technology Editor of The Maroon Tiger (Morehouse College), with experience covering media, culture, and public policy. Founder of The Cultured Cool, where I produce original reporting, literary criticism, and video essays exploring Black history, books, and contemporary culture. Licensed attorney and former assistant prosecutor skilled at investigating complex issues, interviewing diverse sources, and translating technical material for broad audiences.

Founder, Writer & Producer at The Cultured Cool (2026-01 – Present)

Independent Media Platform. Produce original reporting, literary criticism, and cultural commentary focused on books, publishing, film, and Black/Latine/Indigenous cultural history.

• Research and write stories examining contemporary literature within historical, political, and cultural contexts.
• Conceive, research, report, script, film, edit, and publish original stories from pitch through publication while maintaining a consistent editorial schedule.
• Conduct primary research using archival records, court filings, published scholarship, and interviews to contextualize cultural moments for a general audience.
• Translate reported material across formats — written scripts, short-form video, and long-form documentary treatment — mirroring the multi-format storytelling expected of contemporary desk reporters.

Legal Analyst & Public Health Writer at International Stop the Violence Alliance (2018-01 – 2020-12)

• Researched and wrote in-depth analyses of legislation, court rulings, and public policy, translating dense legal material into accessible briefs and public seminars for community leaders, officials, and general audiences.
• Developed sources across law enforcement, public health officials, lawmakers, and community organizers to inform reporting-style investigations of violence as a public health issue.
• Produced advocacy content and delivered public presentations, honing skills in framing, interviewing, and narrative construction.

Business & Technology Editor at The Maroon Tiger (2010-01 – 2011-12)

Edited and wrote for the flagship student newspaper of the Atlanta University Center, publishing on deadline for a weekly print edition.

• Reported and authored bylined cultural criticism, including "Has Photoshop Killed Photography?" — an investigative feature examining airbrushing, race, and body image in advertising, drawing on interviews, industry sources, and published research.
• Managed a small team of contributing writers and edited copy for tone, accuracy, and clarity within a general-audience publication.

Associate Attorney at Zwicker and Associates (2025-09 – 2026-06)

• Investigated complex financial disputes through documentary review, legal research, negotiation, and written advocacy under demanding deadlines.

Contract Reviewer at Consilio & Haystack (2023-01 – 2025-12)

• Conduct large-scale document review for high-stakes litigation and regulatory investigations, including antitrust, IP, and financial services matters — close analog to investigative research and source-material review.

Assistant Prosecutor at Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office (2022-11 – 2023-06)

Represented the state in criminal matters; conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement; built narrative-driven cases from complex evidentiary records.

• Practiced trauma-aware interviewing with victims and families — directly transferable to sensitive source work.

Owner & Managing Attorney at The Coney Law Firm (2021-01 – 2022-12)

Ran a solo practice across business, tax, IP, real estate, family, and immigration matters; tracked shifting policy and translated legal developments for clients in plain language.

Judicial Law Clerk at Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex County (2020-01 – 2021-12)

Clerked for two Superior Court judges, including a Presiding Judge; researched points of law, drafted opinions and orders, and reviewed post-conviction relief applications.

MBA – Questrom School of Business, Boston University (2024-05)

LL.M. in International Criminal Law – University of New Hampshire School of Law (2020-05)

LL.M. in Taxation – Boston University School of Law (2016-12)

Juris Doctor – Howard University School of Law (2014-05)

B.A. in Political Science & English – Spelman College (2011-05)