Give a gift to the Journalism Collaborative to keep our community informed!
Give a gift to the Journalism Collaborative to keep our community informed!
The Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative is a group of 12 media, education, and community partners working to strengthen local journalism.
Taylor DesOrmeau has been the editor of the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive since 2023. Prior to that, Taylor worked as a data reporter, economy reporter and local government/business reporter for MLive at a statewide level and in Jackson. He graduated from Central Michigan University in 2016.
“News deserts are becoming more common – but Kalamazoo isn’t one of them. I’m proud to work with a team of reporters at the Kalamazoo Gazette dedicated to telling our neighbors’ stories – and to be part of the SWMJC ecosystem that’s committed to the same. Collectively, we spotlight the important issues in a way that no single entity could on its own.”
Gordon Evans is WMUK’s Director of Content Operations and Audience Development. He took that job in 2019. Gordon originally came to WMUK in 1996 to become the station’s Morning Edition anchor and served as a host and reporter for over 20 years before moving into his current role.
“Local and regional journalism is important because an informed community is better positioned to make good decisions and hold people in positions of power accountable.”
Jesus Grillo and Lucinda Mosquera are co-publishers of New/Nueva Opinión, the only Spanish-language newspaper in Southwest Michigan. They are originally from Colombia and have lived in Southwest Michigan for 29 years. With over two decades of experience in community organizing and bilingual media, they are deeply committed to amplifying Latinx voices and promoting civic engagement through culturally relevant storytelling and outreach.
“Local and regional journalism is vital to every community because it reflects our realities, informs our decisions, and holds power to account. For our Latinx community, it’s also a bridge—connecting families to resources, opportunity, and representation.”
Alek Haak-Frost is the executive editor, publisher, and founder of Watershed Voice, and a graduate of Central Michigan University. Prior to establishing WSV in 2020, he wrote for a number of publications including The Midland Daily News and The Morning Sun, and served as managing editor of the Three Rivers Commercial-News for the better part of three years.
In 2022, Haak-Frost won the Public Service Award and Outstanding Coverage Award at the LION Local Journalism Awards in Austin, Texas. He was a finalist for the LION Public Service Award again in 2023.
Justin A. Hinkley started his career roughly two decades ago at his hometown paper, the Battle Creek Enquirer, where he covered everything from local rock bands to education. He also has worked as an investigative reporter at the Lansing State Journal and as publisher/editor of The Alpena News. He is currently regional editor of Bridge Michigan, where he’s responsible for coverage of northern Michigan and west Michigan. He lives in Alpena with his wife, son, and two dogs.
“Local and regional journalism is vital to every community because residents need facts to make informed choices about how best to get involved with their community.”
Sonya Hollins is an award-winning journalist, author, and chief storytelling officer of Season Press LLC, a self-publishing consulting firm that owns Community Voices magazine. Her passion for writing, history, and travel comes together as the founder of the Merze Tate Explorers, the world’s only all-girls travel writers’ organization. Hollins equips girls of color in grades 3-12 with the tools to interview phenomenal women leaders and strive toward their mission to explore all seven continents.
“The SWMJC collaborative allows our small press to partner with others dedicated to community storytelling.”
Kathy Jennings is the Executive Editor for Issue Media Group. She is the founding Managing Editor of Southwest Michigan’s Second Wave and a freelance writer and editor.
“I am involved with the SWMJC because of the importance of local journalism and out of the belief that together we are greater than the sum of our parts. The collaborative has been the catalyst for cooperation that has resulted in strong journalism and the reporting of stories that might have otherwise gone uncovered.”
Ben Lando, a 4th-generation Kalamazooan, is Founder and Publisher of NowKalamazoo.org and Co-Founder and Board President of The Local Journalism Foundation of Kalamazoo County. He’s been a professional journalist for 25 years and reported from across the U.S. and a dozen countries, including Iraq, where he lived for four years.
“Every community in every corner of the country needs more journalism. Our collaborative is part of the solution.”
Marie Lee has been the owner of Encore Publications and editor of Encore magazine since 2011. She has a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Idaho State University and a master’s degree in communication from Western Michigan University. She is a member of the leadership committee for the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, and has served on the Downtown Kalamazoo Partnership’s Coalition for Place and on the marketing committee for The Gilmore Piano Festival.
“Encore is a part of the SWMJC because of the vital importance of quality local journalism in keeping communities informed, which makes communities stronger. There’s a big difference between someone dashing off a Tweet and reporting the news. Journalists are trained to be objective and fair in their reporting and to check facts — without journalists, we would all be subject to biased information, lies and propaganda. You can’t have a democratic society without truth.”
Sarah Lee is the co-founder of the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative, where she supports local journalism through philanthropic efforts. An experienced marketing communications professional with more than 20 years of expertise spanning marketing, public relations, and journalism, Sarah has worked across hospitality, entertainment, business association, and the philanthropic sector. Sarah is passionate about connecting people and communities through storytelling, believing in the power of narrative to build stronger, more informed local ecosystems.
“A healthy community is an informed community. I co-founded the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative because I believe everyone deserves access to quality local news — and by working together, we can make sure that happens in Southwest Michigan.”
Lem Montero is community content director for Public Media Network. He believes everyone has an incredible story to share. For most of his professional life, Lem has worked in sharing the stories of people and organizations through articles, photographs, and video. First a writer, then the editor for West Michigan Senior Times, he saw firsthand the need to capture the stories of older generations while empowering them to share their own views on the world. He’s excited to help people use today’s technology to leave insightful stories for tomorrow.
“National legacy media has been villainized for its efforts to promote the truth. The relentless attacks crumbled the national media’s credibility, but fortunately, for now, people still trust local news sources. At a time when truth is needed more than ever, it’s vital for local news outlets to stand shoulder to shoulder to keep telling the stories that matter to our communities with honest, informed, and responsible voices.”
Lucinda Mosquera and Jesus Grillo are co-publishers of New/Nueva Opinión, the only Spanish-language newspaper in Southwest Michigan. They are originally from Colombia and have lived in Southwest Michigan for 29 years. With over two decades of experience in community organizing and bilingual media, they are deeply committed to amplifying Latinx voices and promoting civic engagement through culturally relevant storytelling and outreach.
“I believe in the power of journalism that reflects the diversity of our communities. Being part of New/Nueva Opinión allows me to contribute to a more informed, connected, and empowered Latinx population in Southwest Michigan.”
Dr. L. Lusike Mukhongo is an associate professor of communication at the School of Communication at Western Michigan University. Her work documents community stories through non-extractive and non-intrusive media production and storytelling techniques. At WMU, Dr. Mukhongo oversees the Community-Engaged Digital Storytelling Lab, where she collaborates with community partners in Kalamazoo on community-driven media projects.
“Local journalism plays a vital role in amplifying diverse community voices and holding space for stories that are too often overlooked.”
Matt Schuster is the executive director of Public Media Network. A recognized leader in community media, Matt has led operations in Meridian Township, MI; Lake County, IL; Louisville, KY; and Santa Barbara, CA. He is an experienced producer, editor, director, graphic designer, and videographer, Matt has also taught college-level media production courses. He holds a BA from Western Michigan University and an MA in Telecommunication – Media Arts from Michigan State University.
“Public Media Network is proud to join the Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative in building civic media where stories don’t just inform us — they inspire us to act, to care, and to imagine the stronger communities we can build together.”
