Dear BridgeDetroit Readers,
There is an old hymn by Jennie Wilson that we used to sing in church that started off by saying “Time is filled with swift transition…”
It’s with a heavy but grateful heart I’m announcing that after 4-plus years, I will be transitioning from my post as Engagement Director at BridgeDetroit effective at the end of May. It has been a tremendous honor to build an engagement strategy that helped erect BridgeDetroit as one of the foremost hyper local nonprofit newsrooms in the ecosystem today.
In 2019, I had a life-changing experience as a Marshall Memorial Fellow with the German Marshall Fund of the United States, and when I returned home to Detroit that October, I sat down with Stephen Henderson. At the time he was telling about this “thing” he and a coalition of others was building to bring news and information that was responsive to the needs of Detroiters. I knew then that I had to be a part of it.
That “thing” was BridgeDetroit and in February 2020, I was the first staffer to be hired. A month later, COVID-19 began to wreak havoc on Detroit and the world. In May of 2020, BridgeDetroit launched at a crucial time when having accurate information literally meant life or death.
A month after that, the world watched George Floyd be murdered by police and the city of Detroit saw 100 consecutive days of protests. Don’t forget that 2020 was also a Census and election year.
The transitions were swift.
BridgeDetroit seeks to provide critical news and information to residents based on the priorities that they identify. It was my job to create multiple channels whereby the newsroom could build sustainable relationships with residents in order to hear from and engage with them in a real way.
In four years, I’ve worked to create iterative engagement modalities that aid us in achieving our mission every day:
- We stood up a Community Advisory Committee that keeps us honest, accountable and informed. Its members are residents, community leaders, grassroots organizers, philanthropic and corporate leaders.
- We’ve crafted and crystallized a newsletter strategy where Detroiters can get their information but also get to know our newsroom a little better.
- We have implemented an aggressive events schedule where we gather Detroiters all year long for town halls, rigorous community conversations, meet and greets and member exclusives.
- We started a canvassing program where the newsroom fans out into neighborhoods to knock on doors. In 2023, BridgeDetroit knocked on over 3,000 doors.
- We’ve established lasting partnerships with organizations around the city to get information to people who are the hardest to reach but need it the most.
It’s been a distinct privilege to serve at an organization that honors residents with a listening ear and action. Engagement at BridgeDetroit is not an afterthought; it’s steeped within the mission. I’m elated to have played a role in building the foundation for a newsroom that has become an irreplaceable utility for Detroiters.
I’m excited to partner with BridgeDetroit in my next endeavor as I transition into the Executive Director role at Outlier Media. Outlier was an integral voice at the table during the formalization of BridgeDetroit, and I am excited to deepen that connection.
I want to thank the talented BridgeDetroit team who makes it happen every single day for their unwavering support of me and their willingness to be a little uncomfortable every time I had a new idea. My thanks to the Center for Michigan for providing the infrastructure that allowed me to try new things. Thank you to John Bebow, Katy Locker and Stephen Henderson for betting on me. Lastly, thanks to our members and readers. I’m so grateful that you continue to legitimize BridgeDetroit with your excitement, donations and sharing of our stories.
I look forward to continuing to provide platforms for Detroiters to express their power and expertise.
Yours in community,
Orlando P. Bailey
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