As American Community Journals marks a decade of sharing uplifting stories across the Delaware Valley, we proudly spotlight our founder and CEO, Ken Knickerbocker. Ken’s passion for fostering community connection, showcasing local wins, and sourcing top talent has been instrumental in ACJ’s growth over the last decade. His leadership has helped fuel initiatives like the VISTA Millennial Superstars (now rebranded to VISTA NextGen Superstars) and also cultivates a collaborative and dedicated team that shares his commitment to making a difference.

Below, Ken reflects on his journey, proudest achievements, and vision for ACJ’s future.

What was the inspiration behind launching American Community Journals?

I’ve always been a “news nerd.” From a young age, I was surrounded by newspapers — my father read The Philadelphia Bulletin every day and bought The New York Times nearly every Sunday, and I even had a paper route for The Bulletin. I spent countless hours studying in the periodicals section in college, just soaking up current events. When the internet came along, it felt like a dream come true. Suddenly, I could access news from anywhere, anytime, and I loved that.

Simultaneously, I was serving on the school board and borough council and noticed how the local newspaper wasn’t covering essential community matters. So, I started my own online journal, Parkesburg Today, covering a small town and local school district in Chester County.

I found my voice as I wrote about local developments and realized that people genuinely appreciated positive news. Instead of stirring up drama, I focused on the exciting things happening in the community. I saw firsthand that people across the political spectrum cared deeply about these stories, and I knew there was a place for uplifting, community-focused storytelling.

Have you always considered yourself an optimistic person, or was this outlook a more recent development?

I wouldn’t say I was always an optimist. Life events really shaped my perspective. I learned that there’s value in holding onto hope. That mentality, paired with the realization that people craved positive stories, became the foundation for my voice — and, ultimately, for VISTA Today and American Community Journals.

Do you think positive news resonates with people more now, especially in the wake of the pandemic?

Definitely. We are wired with a natural negativity bias, and it’s easy to get drawn into the doom and gloom of daily news. But after everything we’ve been through recently, people are tired of that. They’re ready to appreciate the good around them. Positive news, to me, transcends political divides; it’s something we all need.

How did American Community Journals start in the early days?

It was just my nephew Lance Knickerbocker and me at first. We brought a prototype to Gary Smith and his team at the Chester County Economic Development Council, and the feedback wasn’t exactly positive — the focus group picked us apart. They weren’t convinced anyone would read a journal with only positive news. But from that experience, we gained our first affiliate partner and found my web designer, who’s still with us today. The criticism didn’t stop us. I had already seen success in Parkesburg and felt confident that if positive news could work there, it could work on a bigger scale.

How has the company evolved, and what was the moment when you felt things really began to pick up?

I remember being at a nonprofit event where I met a contact who introduced me to Mark Hostutler, a fantastic writer. Mark joined us, taking on small assignments at first, and eventually became our editor. From there, others like Kim McGuane and Mitchell Phillips joined. My brother Steve Knickerbocker even joined the team, and it’s grown into this core group that genuinely believes in the mission of spreading positive stories.

Has it been challenging to remain neutral, especially in a politically charged environment?

Absolutely, especially because politics is a personal passion. I went to each county commissioner early on, and they all expressed concern about whether I’d keep my political opinions out of the journal. But we’ve now gone through three presidential elections without publishing a single negative story about any candidate. Positive news doesn’t belong to any political party; it’s for everyone, and that’s what we’ve focused on from day one.

Your role has certainly changed over the years. What does your day-to-day look like now, and what remains your favorite part of the job?

I’m still heavily involved in the daily operations — probably too much so. I’m up early every morning, pulling everything together to ensure our content is ready for an 8 AM release. I joke that I run a bakery, except I’m serving up stories instead of doughnuts. While I’m working on scaling back a bit, I’ll always be the one pushing for improvements. I love the early hours; they’re the most productive part of my day.

What has been your proudest achievement over the last decade?

My proudest achievement is, hands down, the team we’ve built and kept together over the years. This work wouldn’t be possible without each of them showing up, day in and day out, committed to the mission. We’re a virtual team, so we don’t see each other in person unless it’s planned, but somehow, everyone is always on the same page, pushing in the same direction. Mark’s been with us for nine years, and Mitchell, Kim, Steve, and David Bjorkgren have been here for nearly six. The consistency, the dedication — it’s remarkable. Watching this team grow and stay together has been one of the most rewarding parts of the journey.

What stands out as your most memorable moment?

When I think about the most memorable moment over the last 10 years, it has to be the VISTA Millennial Superstars event. I get so excited about it every year, and our president, Kim McGuane, does a fantastic job running it. In recent years, I’ve had the privilege of just attending and soaking in the celebration of these incredible young people making a difference in their communities and careers. It’s often the first time they’re being recognized for their contributions, and my organization gets to be the party orchestrating that celebration. What really stands out is when we ask the award recipients to think about who the superstar in their life is. The stories they share are just remarkable. It’s a beautiful opportunity for them to share their positive experiences and acknowledge the support they’ve received along the way.

What has been ACJ’s biggest impact on the community?

ACJ’s affiliate marketing program has profoundly impacted the community by providing local businesses, nonprofits, and institutions with a trusted platform to share their stories in a meaningful, credible way. Through partnerships with over 110 affiliates — ranging from law firms and hospitals to universities and banks — we help these organizations reach the community authentically. They invest in our network not only to gain visibility but also to connect with readers on a deeper level through accurate storytelling distributed via our newsletters, SEO, social media, and news apps like Apple News, Google News, and NewsBreak. In this way, ACJ supports the Delaware Valley’s vibrant business landscape while fostering local connection and engagement.

Looking back over the last 10 years, what do you hope people take away from American Community Journals?

I hope they continue to see the value in community-focused, positive storytelling. Philadelphia and its surrounding areas are full of inspiring stories. I believe it’s essential to shine a light on these stories — not to ignore the negative, but to remind people of the good that’s happening around them every day.

What do you envision the future of ACJ holds?

Looking to the future, we want to keep getting better at what we do. That means becoming stronger marketers of our content, so our affiliate partners’ stories reach even broader audiences. In essence, everything we’re doing now, we want to do it better — delving deeper, reaching wider, and executing more effectively.

Join the ACJ Affiliate Partner Network

Are you looking to expand your business and connect with your community? By joining ACJ’s affiliate marketing program, you’ll gain access to our platforms to share your story and reach a larger, engaged audience. Fill out the form below and become part of a network that uplifts local businesses and shines a spotlight on positive stories.

For more information about ACJ and our partnerships, click here!