We believe in the big ideas at MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. We have a vision of a city, of a nation, where everyone has enough resources to thrive. This publication is pro-choice. We are pro-democracy.
But we understand, as someone wise once said, you can’t eat democracy.
That’s why we are, like our namesake, also committed to economic justice, and we approach it in a practical way. We interrogate economic power in ways that put money back into the pockets of the poor and the working class.
Our newest staff member, Mike Finch, joined us because he wants in on that effort. Mike joined us last week as an enterprise reporter, and he has a particular interest in economic justice.
“Workers and consumers face a number of challenges as they engage in the economy,” he said. “They’re trying to earn enough to live well and protect their income as they decide where and how to spend it.
I’m interested in stories about predatory fees and unfair economic arrangements carried out by businesses or the government. I want to do work that helps give people clarity about these issues and, possibly, relief.”
Mike came to us from Louisiana, but he’s worked at papers in Florida, Alabama and California. You’ll note that those are all warmer places, like Memphis. Usually. Until, aided by Mother Nature, the city pulled a fast one, and Mike experienced snow for the first time.
Thank goodness he likes MLK50 enough to look past the subzero temperatures and boil water advisories. And, he did tell me he came for a challenge — the shift he’s now making from a general interest publication to one with a specific mission.
“I subscribed to the MLK50 newsletter long before I decided to apply because it was one of the few places that had staked ground on issues that I cared about,” he said. “The mission of MLK50 is fairly uncommon at any publication in the South. It aligns with the kind of journalism I like to do that emphasizes accountability, but there’s also an opportunity to do more work around community engagement that is less common in newspapers.”
Mike’s a curious and thoughtful guy. He’s already found things to interest him here; for instance, the geography along the Mississippi River (the elevation is higher than he thought). The Four Way restaurant felt familiar, he said. “In college, I worked at a soul food restaurant in Miami that I believed had some of the best food I’ve ever had. Eating at the Four Way reminded me so much of that place because their food is equally good.”
He caught the Black Portraits exhibit at the Brooks Museum just before it ended but still wants to visit the National Civil Rights Museum, as well as the Cotton and Stax museums.
“I’m still eager to learn more about the food history and culture here. Coming from New Orleans, I feel that the story of Creole and Cajun cooking was already familiar to me. But I know a lot less about the backstory of Memphis barbecue,” he said. “I was watching an episode of the Netflix series ‘High on the Hog’ recently, and the host mentioned that barbecue originated in West Tennessee. Now I want to know more.”
Because you can eat ribs.
Mike told me that MLK50’s concern with policies and practices that perpetuate poverty and keep Memphians poor is a rich area to mine. Watch our site as he digs in.
Adrienne Johnson Martin is co-executive director of MLK50: Justice Through Journalism. Contact her at adrienne.martin@mlk50.com
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