Detroit Documenters

10/07/2026

The weather’s absolutely gorgeous, so consider getting involved outdoors! Farms need harvesting, and trees need planting, and we’ve got opportunities for both this week. The Nov. 3 election is also fast approaching, so if you’re unsure who to support for the Detroit public school board, we’ve got a solution for that, too.

Get involved!

10/07/2026

Detroit’s Towing Rate Commission was missing one of its required members throughout 2026.

The commission is supposed to include five members, including a commissioner appointed by the mayor to represent the people of Detroit. That appointment was never made.

At the commission’s final presentation to City Council, Detroit Auditor General Laura Goodspeed addressed the vacant seat:

“The fifth commissioner should have been an appointee from the mayor’s office to represent the public.”

The commission ultimately recommended that towing rates remain unchanged. But the vacant seat raises questions about how the commission was constituted and how the public was represented during its work.

We asked the mayor’s office why the appointment was never made and whether other required appointments are currently vacant. We were still waiting for a response when this was published.

Read more from the towing commission meeting in the comments.

10/02/2026

We had SO much fun connecting with folks who wanted to learn more from media professionals around Detroit. Plus, shout out to for the fantastic mocktails!

Missed this event? Join Detroit Documenters or The Outlier Collective (or both!) to make sure you know when the next one is.

Documenters: https://outliermedia.org/detroit-documenters/
The Outlier Collective: https://outliermedia.org/join/

📸 : Cydni Elledge/Outlier Media

09/30/2026

“This is an opportunity to bridge the gaps between generations in the city.”

Wayne State student Miranda Nedd reflected on what the Renaissance Center and East Riverfront project could mean for Detroit’s young people and the broader community.

During the Sept. 22 Neighborhood Advisory Council working session, community members discussed what they want to see from the project, including local opportunities, accessibility, community-serving businesses and spaces that help people feel connected to Detroit.

For Nedd, that connection starts with having places where young people can gather, learn, network and grow.

09/24/2026

First off, if you aren’t registered for Documenters Speed Dating, what are you doing?! Come meet local industry professionals and get tips on advancing in the industry.

Elsewhere, there are several ways to get involved with Detroit Heals Detroit, including getting free used clothes, laundry services and rides to local public meetings.

Plus, they’re hiring. Period. We love it.

🏡 Restore Rouge Park Prairie
Friday, 5 p.m.
North Prairie Trail, 14500-14800 W. Outer Drive
Help Friends of Rouge Park revive the habitat for flowers and pollinators in Rouge Park. Stick around for a sunset prairie hike.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Community Bio Blitz
Saturday, 10-11 a.m.
Eliza Howell Park, 23751 Fenkell Ave.
Join Sidewalk Detroit for a plant ID walk through Eliza Howell Park. Bring a cell phone with data, wear long pants and boots.

🧽 Expungement Fair
Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
Perfecting Church, 7616 E. Nevada Ave.
Learn more about clearing your criminal record, and apply to get started with the expungement process (which typically takes about eight months).

📖 Black Reading Month Fireside Chat
Tuesday, 6 p.m.
Howard Family Bookstore, 13803 Puritan St.
Close out September is Black Reading Month with one of its co-founders, Baba .yakini, longtime Detroit institution builder and community organizer. Hosted by bookstore owner .howard.5.

🤝 Documenters Speed Dating
Thursday, Oct. 1, 6-8 p.m.
Mockery Zero Proof, 7400 W. McNichols Road
Detroit Documenters have teamed up with The Outlier Collective to bring together more than 16 local journalism leaders who will share insights on reporting, newsroom leadership, audience engagement, visual storytelling, technology and more.

Find more resources, free stuff and ways to get involved in the comments.

09/23/2026

“Rather than paying kids to go to school, we could just make school a place they want to be.”

That was Detroit Public Schools Community District teacher Emma Howland-Bolton’s message to the school board as she questioned how the district is spending $94.4 million it received to settle the 2016 literacy lawsuit.

Howland-Bolton asked who is auditing the spending and how that vendor was selected. She also questioned why the district hasn’t used more of the money to address conditions in schools, including the lack of functioning school libraries.

What would you like to see the district spend money on for Detroit students?

09/17/2026

09/17/2026

Come out and meet Detroit Documenters and the Outlier team! See you there?

Meet media professionals, explore career paths and connect with others at Outlier Media’s Documenters Speed Dating event.

Attendees will rotate through themed tables, ask career questions and hear from Detroit professionals working across journalism and media.

You’ll also learn how skills gained through the Detroit Documenters program can lead to opportunities in the industry and beyond.

Join us Oct. 1 from 6–8 p.m. at Mockery Zero Proof.

Tickets are available with a donation to Outlier Media.

Link in comments to register.

09/17/2026