Cassandra Spratling (Editor): Formerly an award winning reporter and editor at the Detroit Free Press, Spratling is a lifelong Detroit resident. She will direct the Neighbors reporting team. She is a graduate of Michigan State University’s journalism program and lives in Detroit’s University District. “I look forward to introducing readers to the people and places that reflect the rich diversity and determined spirit of Detroit. We want to get inside the lives and dreams of the people in the neighborhoods, and capture those precious moments that matter most in the daily lives of people.”
Santiago Esparza (Reporter): Formerly a reporter for The Detroit News, Esparza is a lifelong resident of southwest Detroit. He reported for the neighborhood section, On Detroit, while at The News. He is a graduate of the Wayne State University journalism program.
Lauren Hood (Reporter): A longtime resident of the Bagley community in northwest Detroit, Lauren Hood has been involved in a variety of programs and initiatives involving development and planning in Livernois/McNichols area of northwest Detroit. She is the former interim director of the Live6 Alliance in northwest Detroit. She has also been involved in community engagement and advocated for the preservation of African American spaces.
James Ribbron (Reporter): Ribbron is director of the community group Impact Detroit and has played an active role in the Linwood-Dexter neighborhood. He is the historian for the Shrine of Madonna Church and produces the Black Slate radio show. He is also involved in supporting the work of the Detroit Future City neighborhoods initiative.
Paul Warner (Photographer): Warner, a former Detroit News intern, has won numerous photo journalism awards and has worked for the Ann Arbor News and other publications. His work has been use by the Associated Press and Getty Images, one of the world’s premier photo image reproduction companies. He has also photographed numerous celebrities, including Beyonce and Prince.
ABOUT ARISE Detroit! ARISE Detroit! is a nonprofit community mobilization coalition of more than 400 organizations, promoting volunteerism, community activism and positive media images to create a better Detroit.
Michigan Chronicle and Arise Detroit! NEIGHBORS Planning Team
Roz Edward: Rosland “Roz” Edward, an award-winning journalist is managing editor of the Michigan Chronicle joined Real Times Media Inc. in January of 2013. At RTM, the parent company for the Michigan Chronicle, the Atlanta Daily World, the Chicago Defender and the New Pittsburgh Courier she is primarily responsible for coordinating and creating content for the publication’s editorial activities. In addition to the Michigan Chronicle, she continues to ensure that RTM brands are a source of relevant and compelling content for readers in RTM’s target market
Luther Keith, executive director of ARISE Detroit! Keith, also an award- winning journalist and former editor at The Detroit News, worked as a sports writer, state capital bureau correspondent, assistant city editor, business editor, assistant managing editor, senior editor and columnist during his 30 year-career. Keith, a journalism graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy, is a member of the Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame.
Crystal R. Staffney, is the operations officer for ARISE Detroit! She was born and raised in Detroit and graduated from Mumford High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in media arts and a master’s degree in public relations and organizational communication from Wayne State University. Staffney has over 13 years of experience in communications, which include radio, marketing, public relations and the non-profit sector.
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