Submit now: Detour seeks pitches for mental health stories from BIPOC journalists

Illustration by Steven Shik

Detour Detroit is pleased to partner with the Detroit Equity Action Lab (DEAL), an initiative of the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights at Wayne State University Law School, to support independent journalists of color to cover racial justice issues and their impact on Detroit’s Black, immigrant and low-income communities.

BIPOC writers are invited to submit pitches by July 24 for stories that shine a spotlight on mental health issues in Detroit’s marginalized communities. 

We’re looking for stories that go beyond the surface and disrupt common narratives. We want to hear stories that center Detroiters’ particular challenges when it comes to mental health and accessing care, whether concerns that have arisen in the wake of the pandemic and police brutality protests or issues that have gone unaddressed for much longer. We’re also interested in stories that explore gaps in public and private systems of care — and community-driven alternatives that have filled those spaces. 

We aim to foster connections with journalists of color and deepen our community-centered coverage. With DEAL, Detour will offer journalists competitive rates, resources and mentorship. 

Stories can take the form of features, essays, explainers or other narratives based in original reporting. Pitches should include the particular mental health issue/s and Detroit community/ies that will be featured, potential sources and links to any data, secondary sources or open questions that informed the initial pitch. Please include writing samples and a bio or resume. Google Doc, PDF or Word files are the preferred formats for attachments.

Submit pitches by 6 p.m. on July 24 by emailing kate@detourdetroiter.com with the subject line “PITCH: Mental health.”

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