Hello readers,
We have some wonderful news to share today!
Olivia Lewis, one of BridgeDetroit’s original reporters and a current contributor to our nonprofit newsroom, has been chosen for a prestigious national fellowship focused on reimagining the American narrative.
As the U.S. prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2026, the Us@250 initiative named 13 fellows to focus on journalism projects related to around three core themes: Pride in the nation’s progress from its origins; reckoning with historical and contemporary wrongs that have caused the nation to fall short of its ideals; and aspiration for a multiracial, inclusive democracy.
Olivia will spend the next year focused on a project about Detroit’s I-375 Reconnecting Communities Project, a proposed traffic exchange to increase safety, walkability and economic activity to the area. She will highlight how the interstate, originally a product of urban renewal, changed the area for decades and the implications of the proposed changes on the quality of life for the current community. Her feature will examine the impact of the urban renewal project that once decimated an African American community – something that may happen again if the project doesn’t incorporate local voices.
Olivia is a graduate of both Hampton University and the University of Michigan. BridgeDetroit will publish her project and it will be included in an anthology produced by New America for the semiquincentennial in two years.
Olivia is also a former Gannett news reporter, where she covered social justice and opportunity for the Battle Creek Enquirer before transitioning to the Indianapolis Star to cover Hamilton County. She has other experience in the nonprofit sector – she worked with Direct Relief International, the Kresge Foundation and the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF). While at CMF, Lewis created the first Policy Brief publication in partnership with the Office of Foundation Liaison.
Though a North Carolina native, Olivia has strong family ties to the Great Lakes State and is proud to call Detroit her home.
“The future of America is found in its communities and the people who bring them to life,” Ted Johnson, Director of the Us@250 initiative, said in a statement announcing the fellows. “This year’s class of local journalists are covering compelling stories that chronicle a diverse nation in action – complete with all the challenges and successes that come with it. Their reporting will show there is much to be proud of, and much work left to be done.”
“Our Us@250 fellows are incredible, talented voices who are part of the foundation of a vibrant democracy,” New America CEO Anne-Marie Slaughter said. “We are proud to support this exciting group of local journalists as they explore key themes and stories that define the country we are becoming.”
The fellowship is provided by New America. Formerly the New America Foundation, the liberal think tank was founded in 1999 and focuses on a range of public policy issues, including national security studies, technology, asset building, health, gender, energy, education, and the economy.
We are so proud of Olivia and excited to be working with her on this project.
