On NBC’s “Rock Center,” African American reporters, contributors and staffers from across the NBCUniversal family participated in a piece sharing their thoughts on the Trayvon Martin shooting. In many cases, they shared personal–and often emotional–anecdotes:

Elsewhere, CNN executive VP Mark Whitaker wrote a blog post outlining CNN’s coverage of Martin, including a town hall slated for Friday. Whitaker’s take is more journalistic and less personal but both instances outline how what was once a sad, local story has become a national one.