My Work - A Producer of all Trades

Over the past five years, I've worked through things I've never imagined -- a global pandemic, civil uprisings, national and geopolitical tension, economic downturn, and a climate crisis to name a few. And through it all, one question kept me grounded -- "Why?" Why do I work? Why am I telling this story? Why does it matter? Why should I dig deeper?

When things get challenging, as they tend to do, remembering that shedding light on "why" makes the uncanny...feel resonant.

Scripps News • 7th March 2023

How billionaires and corporations avoid taxes

Despite recent IRS improvements, filing taxes is still a hassle

Tax season is upon us, and through the years, some argue the complicated process is maintained that way on purpose.

Scripps News • 10th August 2022

Understanding Maternal Mortality Risks For Black Women

Go to college, start your career, get married, start a family: It’s the so-called American dream. For many women with this dream, having children is a milestone. But for others — the thought of giving birth is a nightmare. Especially for Black women. As maternal mortality soared 33% during the pandemic, the CDC finds Black women came closer to dying during childbirth than any other race.We visited the obstetrics and gynecology department at Northwestern Medicine in Illinois to uncover why pregna...

Scripps News • 27th October 2022

Why Are Political Outsiders Running For Office?

The second round of abortion allegations against Walker returned the issue to the forefront of the campaign in the final two weeks before elections.

Scripps News • 11th April 2023

Why is there debate over drag shows?

Georgia law will ban most transgender care for kids under 18

Supporters say the law prevents children from making decisions they may later regret, while opponents say it infringes on parents' rights.

WXMI • 20th February 2020

Black History Month 2020: Black artist creates billboards across Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Each year, Black History Month is an opportunity to celebrate those who are advocating for equality in communities and to honor their contributions to society.

After noticing some racial division among Grand Rapids residents, city native Adeshola Makinde is using art to inspire a new narrative.

"I kind of wanted to highlight black figures that I felt aren't highlighted in school, and during Black History Month in general. I feel like it's usually a more safe black figure,

21st November 2019

Black Eden: The Unforgotten Story of Idlewild, Michigan

Over the past few decades, the historic town of Idlewild, Michigan has found itself struggling to sustain. But, the community remains hopeful for revitalization.

WXMI Fox 17 • 9th October 2019

The Story: Homeless in LA

A lifetime of struggles are proving not to be definitive for a Kentwood native living in Los Angeles.

The struggles started early for Jordan Joseph, when his parents were told he would never walk or talk again after a life-threatening accident when he was 3 months old. After brain surgery and plenty of hard work, he defeated the prognosis.

Now, the 29-year-old genre-less musician is finding himself on his way to possible stardom.

WXMI Fox 17 • 9th October 2019

The Story: DeBarge

Motown music group DeBarge quickly became a household name in the 1980s with hit singles like "Rhythm of the Night," "All This Love," and "I Like It," but, life wasn't always glamorous.

The family's career led them from Grand Rapids to Detroit, where they accomplished what some could only dream of.

MSUToday • 26th November 2017

Brandi Scarber: My journey through Europe

Brandi Scarber is a junior from Detroit majoring in journalism in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences.

When I heard that there would be an opportunity to study abroad in Paris and Rome and learn about sports journalism, I knew that I had to figure out a way to make myself part of the program.

This was a chance to study and learn about what I love in two of the most beautiful cities in the world, and it was the first ever program of its kind at MSU. There was no way I was going to le

MSUToday • 13th November 2017

Shane Jones: Everywhere he needs to be

Shane Jones: Everywhere he needs to be

For some people, being the master of one craft is a great aspiration. For senior linebacker Shane Jones, being a master of many things has become his claim to fame.

In his five years as a Spartan, Jones has managed to learn how to play all three linebacker positions and is one of the team’s handymen when it comes to getting things done on defense.