News Summary
BridgeDetroit marks its fifth anniversary as a nonprofit committed to community-centered journalism, focusing on engagement and accessibility. With a spring fundraising campaign to raise $7,000 by May 16, 2025, the organization emphasizes its mission. Recently, it hosted a ‘Meet the Candidates’ event to engage local voters ahead of the primary election, featuring discussions on leadership, public safety, and community concerns. The organization continues to innovate by launching a print magazine for residents without reliable internet access and hosting more events to foster civic participation.
Detroit is celebrating the fifth anniversary of BridgeDetroit, a nonprofit organization focused on community-centered journalism, which was established in May 2020. The organization aims to connect residents with relevant information and foster engagement within the community, all while ensuring that its reporting and events remain free for everyone, regardless of their income level.
Currently, BridgeDetroit is running a spring fundraising campaign with a goal of raising $7,000 by May 16, 2025. This initiative underscores the need for ongoing support as the organization continues its mission of informative journalism and community engagement.
Recently, BridgeDetroit hosted a “Meet the Candidates” event featuring candidates from the west side of Detroit seeking positions on the City Council and the Board of Police Commissioners. The event took place at The Raw Space on W. McNichols and was moderated by the organization’s Engagement Editor. The forum allowed candidates to outline their platforms and engage directly with voters as the city approaches the August 5 primary election.
One of the participants included former City Councilman Roy McCalister Jr., who is campaigning to reclaim his seat. McCalister emphasized the importance of strong leadership and shared his military and law enforcement experience as qualifications to address the challenges faced by District 2, which encompasses neighborhoods like Sherwood Forest and Palmer Woods. He expressed confidence that the next mayor of Detroit will be a Black individual and highlighted the need to support the incoming administration.
At-large council candidate Levan Adams also participated and discussed the significance of conflict resolution and support services for youth as measures to combat violent crime in the city. He raised concerns regarding the controversial use of facial recognition technology by law enforcement, noting the mixed effectiveness of the strategy.
Another candidate, Lavish Williams, is vying for a position on the city’s Board of Police Commissioners. Williams emphasized his commitment to advocating for residents who feel unheard, addressing concerns that were raised by attendees. Participants at the event also voiced worries regarding potential changes to the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, as well as possible stricter operating hours for gas stations in the community.
The “Meet the Candidates” event is part of a broader initiative by BridgeDetroit to engage voters and facilitate discussions on pressing community issues leading up to the upcoming primary. The organization has a commitment to transparency and accessibility, which has helped it build a diverse newsroom and establish a wide-reaching audience, attracting over 65,000 monthly visitors to its reporting and related activities.
BridgeDetroit has also launched a print magazine designed specifically for residents without reliable internet access, furthering its mission to serve all members of the community. Partnerships with local faith-based organizations have been instrumental in enhancing outreach efforts, ensuring the distribution of timely information to residents.
Over the past five years, the organization has earned accolades for its impactful journalism, receiving several awards from the Michigan Press Association. These recognitions reflect its commitment to fostering an informed public and providing a platform for the voices of Detroiters.
Moving forward, BridgeDetroit will continue its “Meet the Candidates” series, with the next event scheduled for District 3 at Osborn High School. The nonprofit recognizes the ongoing need for community support and contributions to maintain its vital role in Detroit’s journalistic landscape.
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Additional Resources
- BridgeDetroit: Celebrating 5 Years of Community Journalism
- Wikipedia: Community journalism
- BridgeDetroit: Awards for Impactful Journalism
- Google Search: Impactful Journalism
- BridgeDetroit: Meet the Candidates Event
- Google Scholar: Candidates Community Engagement
- BridgeDetroit: Candidate Profiles for Education Board
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Educational Administration
- BridgeDetroit: Detroit Police Chief News
- Google News: Detroit Police Chief
