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A smiling woman with short hair wearing dangling earrings and a red top with puffed sleeves

Racquel Stephen

Health, equity and community reporter
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Racquel Stephen is WXXI's health, equity and community reporter and producer. She joined the newsroom in 2021. 

Racquel’s multifaceted radio background includes reporting for WAER in Syracuse and as a host for WLGZ-HD2 in Rochester. 

Racquel holds a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of Rochester and a master's degree in broadcasting and digital journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Racquel’s interest in health reporting stems from navigating through the developmental disabilities of her toddler son, and witnessing inequities within the health care system.

  • Three smiling people wearing headphones sit by a table in a radio talk studio: a woman at left has long hair pulled back in a bun and is wearing glasses and a beige button-down shirt; a man at center has short red hair and a red beard and is wearing a blue blazer and blue button-down shirt; a woman at right has short blonde hair and is wearing a blue and red floral patterned blouse, black pants and black strappy heels.
    Connections
    Finger Lakes Thursday: Auburn
    Racquel Stephen
    In the first hour of "Connections" on August 14, 2025, our journey through the Finger Lakes takes us to the historically significant town of Auburn.
  • A bronze bust of a woman.
    Connections
    Finger Lakes Thursday: Auburn
    Racquel Stephen
    During "Connections" on 08/14/25, we continue our journey through the Finger Lakes with a visit to Auburn. Then, a rebroadcast of our talk on what a renowned food critic taught us about dining culture.
  • Five people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a woman front left has long blonde braids and is wearing glasses, a black t-shirt, turquoise pants and sneakers; a woman front right has short maroon hair and is wearing a white and yellow cap, bright green shirt and pants and sneakers; a woman back left has long blue braids and is wearing a black sleeveless top; a man back right has short grey hair and is wearing glasses, a grey suit jacket, light blue button-down shirt and blue tie; a woman at center has short blonde hair and is wearing a green dress with grey and white stripes and gold strappy heels.
    Connections
    Travel nurses
    Racquel Stephen
    In the first hour of "Connections" on August 13, 2025, we discuss the trend of travel nursing and the pros and cons of how it impacts the medical community.
  • Nurse prepares secondary "piggyback" IV medication solution bag for administration with primary IV bag and IV tubing.
    Connections
    Travel nurses
    Racquel Stephen
    During "Connections" on 08/13/25, we host a discussion on the pros and cons of travel nursing. Then, a rebroadcast of our talk with Michael Lasser about the Great American Songbook.
  • Three people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a woman at front has dark hair and is wearing a white jacket and a white and blue dress; a boy back left has long dark braids and is wearing an orange, blue and green t-shirt; a woman back right has short blonde hair and is wearing a green, yellow and brown dress.
    Connections
    Type 1 diabetes
    Racquel Stephen
    In the first hour of "Connections" on August 12, 2025, we speak with a family dealing with Type 1 diabetes and learn how it affects their daily life and what resources are available for support.
  • This stock image shows insulin vials.
    Connections
    Type 1 diabetes
    Racquel Stephen
    During "Connections" on 08/12/25, we speak with those living with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Then, a rebroadcast of our discussion with Rochester's own rising opera star Kearstin Piper Brown.
  • Five people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a man front left has short grey hair and is wearing glasses, a green short-sleeved shirt, grey pants and brown shoes, a bald man front right has a grey beard and is wearing a light blue button-down shirt and khaki shorts; a woman back left has long blonde hair and is wearing glasses and a white button-down shirt; a man back right has short dark hair and is wearing a grey fleece; a woman at center has short blonde hair and is wearing a red and white striped dress with strappy gold heels.
    Connections
    Summer camps and science education
    Racquel Stephen
    In the first hour of "Connections" on August 11, 2025, we explore nature-based summer camps and what they are teaching kids about the environment and sustainability.
  • Nature baised learning educator, Sue Morgan, and her class explore the pollinator garden during the ‘Growing Good’ Summer Enrichment Program, at the Foodlink Community Farm on Lexington Avenue. The six-week experience was developed in partnership with Rochester Ecology Partner's to provide hands-on learning that combines academic enrichment with outdoor exploration.
    Connections
    Summer camps and science education
    Racquel Stephen
    During "Connections" on 08/11/25, Racquel Stephen is back to talk about summer camps focusing on the environment. Then, a rebroadcast of our talk on improving quality of life for those living with ALS.
  • Four people wearing headphones sit at a table in a radio talk studio: a man front left has short grey hair and is wearing glasses, a white polo shirt, khaki pants and blue shoes; a woman front right has short blonde hair and is wearing a black and tan dress with leopard print knee-high boots; a woman back left has long brown hair and is wearing a white button-down shirt over a bright blue t-shirt; a woman back right has short brown hair and is wearing a light grey sweater.
    Connections
    Exploring Geneva
    Racquel Stephen
    In the first hour of "Connections" on July 31, 2025, we continue our tour of the Finger Lakes by exploring the history, food, drink, culture and fun Geneva has to offer.
  • The main strip of Geneva, NY
    Connections
    Exploring Geneva
    Racquel Stephen
    During "Connections" on 7/31/25, we continue our tour of the Finger Lakes with a deep dive on Geneva. Then, a rebroadcast of our discussion about separating the art from the artist.