Dallas Free Press responds to community’s call for better local journalism
Newsletter
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We hear you, South Dallas and West Dallas: Show up. Be consistent. And give us news we need.
These were some of the themes that emerged from our study with UT Austin’s Center for Media Engagement. As we surveyed and talked to neighbors over the course of five months, we heard them say over and over — don’t just report on us; spend time with us. That’s the only way you’re going to tell our stories fully and accurately.
You can read the key findings, which are being shared widely in journalism circles across the United States. We’ll also be hosting events in both South Dallas and West Dallas this fall to present the insights neighbors shared with us and to let them know how our work will respond to what they asked for.
The success of this study would not have been possible without our community ambassadors who worked hard to help us reach as many neighbors as possible. Shanay Wise (pictured above at the MLK Food Park) and Anita Crethers in South Dallas brought so much energy and passion to the work, and we had a hard time keeping up with Raul Reyes Jr. in West Dallas (pictured below with executive director Keri Mitchell, at an “Immunity in the Community” vaccination event).
We’re also so appreciative of the Facebook Journalism Project Community Network and the Better Together Fund for their financial support of this study, which will impact the work of Dallas Free Press, local Dallas media, and newsrooms across the nation.
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Keri Mitchell has spent 20+ years as a community journalist, including 15 years dedicated to community and civic journalism at Dallas’ Advocate magazines. She launched Dallas Free Press in early 2020 with the belief that all neighborhoods deserve reporting and storytelling that values their community and holds leaders accountable.
Mitchell says she is energized by “knowing our work is making an impact — listening to people, telling their stories with strong narratives paired with compelling data that leads to change. I also love spending time in our neighborhoods and with our neighbors, learning from them and working to determine how journalism can be part of the solution to their challenges.”
Mitchell is proud to be the winner of multiple awards during her journalism career including: Finalist in Magazine Feature Reporting (2018) and Finalist in Magazine Investigative Reporting (2017) from Hugh Aynesworth Excellence in Journalism, Best Feature Story (2011) from Texas Community Newspaper Association and Best Magazine Feature (2011) from Dallas Bar Association Philbin Awards.
Areas of Expertise:
local government, education, civic issues, investigative and enterprise reporting
Location Expertise:
Dallas, Texas
Official Title:
Founder + executive director
Email Address:
keri@dallasfreepress.com
