Amelia

Benavides-Colón

Journalist

Detroit, Michigan

Background

Detroit Documenters

2021 - Present

Live social media coverage, note-taking

City Bureau’s Documenters Network expands across nine states, training and paying community members to attend public meetings and publish the results. Documenters directly partners with local media agencies to ensure proper coverage and oversight of otherwise under-reported bodies.


My work focuses on live coverage, providing a detailed and easy-to-follow play-by-play of meetings ranging from the Board of Police to the Board of Water Commissioners.

Freelance Work

Eater Detroit

August 2023

Wayne State University Campus Food Guide

In this project, I compiled a list of the 13 best places for students to wine and dine around Wayne State’s campus.


After publication, I pitched the idea of reproducing the online guide into an upcoming The South End print edition. This was the first time Eater produced a print map and sparked conversations about expanding partnerships with other campus newspapers across the country.

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Freelance Work

Planet Detroit, Social Determinants of Health

In this three-part reporting project I interviewed Detroit residents who’s lives were turned around after receiving governmental assistance after the social aspects of their environment began to affect their health.


May-August 2023

LeadSafe Detroit helps protect kids from lead poisoning

Double-up Food Bucks helps Detroit senior access fresh food

Bridging neighborhoods helps Detroiters avoid impacts from noise, air pollution

Around 1,000 kids in the city are at risk of lead poisoning, mostly in part due to old housing stock filled with lead-based paint. Detroit’s LeadSafe program provides the repairs families need to stay safe.

For many seniors living on a limited income means having to decide between fresh produce and other necessities. Michigan’s Double-Up Food Bucks offers an up to $20 match on fresh food, ensuring a healthy lifestyle is affordable for everyone.

The expansion of local development exasperated already severe air and noise quality concerns in the Delray community. The city’s Bridging Neighborhoods program gives residents in high-risk areas a fully refurbished home in a neighborhood of their choice - a clean slate.

El Central

October 2023

In my first piece for community newspaper El Central, I started with a general story about the state legislature’s work to bring back driver’s licenses for immigrants.


In the end, I broke the news (for El Central) of an ICE data breach that affected more than 9,000 Detroit residents - and its upcoming relaunch, explaining how the program has been updated to ensure the mistake never happens again.

Freelance Work

Planet Detroit

November 2023

At its second-to-last City Council meeting of the year, one council member claimed to have a list of more than 300 Detroit residents living with toxic mold due to recurring floods.


Council is now investigating funding sources for a new program designated specifically at those who don’t qualify for a pre-existing program.

Contact me (:

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@colonjournalism

I look forward to working with you!


Add me to your press list or reach out with opportunities:


ameliab.5475@gmail.com