About Us
Leaders Invested in Fostering Trust, LIFT
We are an engaged research effort focused on finding solutions to the challenges of news disengagement that contribute to the crises of disinformation and misinformation in our society.
We foster a more comprehensive journalism industry and news information ecosystem, particularly for communities that have been underserved by traditional journalism.
We began in 2022 in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, and have expanded across the Midwest to states like Michigan and Indiana.
We achieve our mission by prioritizing research and engagement efforts that center on identifying networks of trusted messengers in local communities to:
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Understand their effects on civic and democratic life
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Create, network, and allocate resources needed to better inform communities
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Build new opportunities for sustainable reparative narrative change
We are currently finishing data collection efforts in Indiana, and seeing new opportunities to support communities with out work. We're interested in working with and supporting researchers, students, journalists, faith leaders, and activists in the Midwest and around the United States to create a comprehensive and community-directed effort.
Meet our incredible team that makes this project possible.
Leadership
Dr. Danielle K. Brown
LIFT Project Founding Director
Danielle K. Brown, PhD is the LIFT Project founder and director. She recently joined Michigan State University as the 1855 Community and Urban Journalism Associate Professor, but originally began this project at the University of Minnesota where she served as the Cowles Professor of Journalism, Diversity and Equality. Keep an eye out for her upcoming book "After a Reckoning." She is an award-winning, political communication researcher investigating the intersection of media, historically excluded communities, and social justice efforts. She is known for her media critiques of protest coverage and is now interested in producing solutions-based research that intervenes with power systems that oppress. Read more about her work here: www.daniellekbrown.com
Jarrad Henderson
LIFTxVoices Lead
Jarrad Henderson is the LIFTxVoices Program leader and founder of PopUp Docs, a mobile editing studio aimed at training the next generation of visual media makers. Jarrad is a 4x Emmy Award-winning visual journalist and respected educator who has produced industry-recognized content in large newsrooms for over a decade. A highly sought-after multimedia alchemist, Henderson is a trusted industry leader who seeks to democratize journalism by empowering new voices to share their stories. He is currently at Michigan State University as an Artist In Residence.
Team
Eric Hsieh
Lead Graduate Research Assistant
Michigan State University
Jeana-Dee Allen
Design Faculty
Michigan State University
Richard Epps
Design Faculty
Michigan State University
Rev. Terrance McKinley
Project Consultant
Campbell AME Church
Sofia Pate
Multimedia Production Intern
Michigan State University
Jaehyun Lee
Graduate Research Assistant
Michigan State University
Jasmine Snow
Research Associate
Michigan State University
Dr. Kathleen Searles
Research Associate
University of South Carolina
Brianna Schmidt
Multimedia Production Intern
Michigan State University
Dr. Perry Parks
Research Associate
Michigan State University
Jessica Pettengill
Research Associate
University of Oklahoma
Dr. Miya Williams Fayne
Research Associate
University of Wisconsin
Alexis Schmidt
Multimedia Production Intern
Michigan State University
Previous Collaborators
Sami Beauchamp, Student Designer
Christina Harisiadis, University of Minnesota, summer research assistant
Tracy Gunapalan, University of Minnesota, graduate research assistant
Calvin DeFoster, high school research assistant
Dr. Denetra Walker, University of Georgia
Dr. Christina Myers, Michigan State University
Collaborators
We plan and execute visual media workshops to bring the LIFT Projects best stories and most meaningful research findings to life and to the public. Youth and young adults from underrepresented populations participate in micro-apprenticeships to learn the trade, build their skills and resumes, and tell their community's stories.
By combining the research expertise of the Diversity Pledge Institute's team and the LIFT Project's team, we work together to provide comprehensive assessment of the sustainability and profitability of DEI efforts in non-profit news organizations.
In Black Ink served as a critical community partner for helping us connect with relevant community organizations and survey Minneapolis and St Paul residents. Their numerous community meetings and events were vital to outreach efforts.
Work with us
Sponsor our work. Collaborate. Ask questions.
