Detour Detroit is Looking for Your Stories: This opportunity is for Detroit Writers Only!

Detour Detroit has partnered with @Detroit_Equity's Race and Justice Reporting Initiative to tackle this series on inequitable development while supporting Detroit writers, writing for Detroiters.

Detour Detroit is now accepting pitches from freelance writers to report on development and how it affects Detroit communities for a series in partnership with the Detroit Equity Action Lab – Race and Justice Reporting Initiative.

We want to hear stories that haven’t been told about development that’s had an impact where you live. Possible stories might look at the ways inequitable development can diminish democracy and minimize citizen participation, public/private partnerships, land sales, sustainable development and local government’s role in fostering public input (or not) — and any development topics that matter to your neighbors.

DEAL’s Race and Justice Reporting Initiative supports writers that come from the communities affected by the stories upon which they report, with the intention of diversifying media bylines, highlighting issues in those communities and building trust between communities of color and the media.

We specifically encourage BIPOC journalists and writers from marginalized communities to apply. 

Email Detour editor Kate Abbey-Lambertz at kate@detourdetroiter.com with the subject “Development pitch” by Aug. 9 to submit your story pitch. Proposals for features, enterprise stories or explainers grounded in original reporting are welcome. Pitches should be under 200 words, including a summary, reporting plan, potential sources and any relevant research. Please include samples of your previous writing via link or attachment.