Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative to host Meet the Media event October 16
“Meet the Media: Talk Back” will be held in the Van Deusen Room at the Kalamazoo Public Library downtown branch. It will feature a panel of SWMJC members — all journalists and editors from Michigan media outlets — seeking to answer questions and hear from residents about community development issues important to them.

Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC) has announced the panel for its Meet the Media event in partnership with the Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) on Thursday, October 16, 6-7:30 p.m.
“Meet the Media: Talk Back” will be held in the Van Deusen Room at the KPL downtown branch. It will feature a panel of SWMJC members – all journalists and editors from Michigan media outlets — seeking to answer questions and hear from residents about community development issues important to them.
Moderating the conversation will be Marie Lee, Editor and Publisher of Encore Magazine. Serving on the panel will be:
- Gordon Evans, Director of Content Operations and Audience Development, WMUK Public Radio
- Justin Hinkley, Regional Editor, Bridge Michigan
- Kathy Jennings, Founding Managing Editor, Second Wave Media
- Ben Lando, Founder and Publisher, NowKalamazoo.org
- Aya Miller, Education Reporter, Mlive/Kalamazoo Gazette
- Lem Montero, Community Content Director, Public Media Network
“The Collaborative is made up of a dozen media platforms and educational institutions working to support a healthy local news and information ecosystem through partnership instead of competition,” says Melinda Clynes, the collaborative’s project manager and editor. “Connecting with the community is an important part of our work.”
The group was established in 2019 to share ideas and editorial focus for a variety of issues-based journalism. Most recently, they have focused on equitable community development, with stories published and shared by members. Learn more about SWMJC at swmichjournalism.com.
Attendees can expect to meet representatives from several media organizations. Collaborative members include Bridge Michigan, Girls Can!, Encore Magazine, MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette, New/Nueva Opinion, NowKalamazoo, Public Media Network, Southwest Michigan Second Wave, Watershed Voice, WMU School of Communication, WMU Student Media Group, and WMUK 102.1.
RSVP to the event at https://swmichjournalism.com/event/community-conversation-with-journalists/.