×

From Flint To Chautauqua, Change A City’s Narrative

Pictured from left: Lev Hunter, owner of Daily Brew; Jiquanda Johnson, founder of Flint Beat; and Anna Clark, author and journalist. On the stage of Chautauqua Institution’s Amphitheater, the resiliency of Flint, Michigan was discussed. P-J photo by Jordan W. Patterson

CHAUTAUQUA – Flint, Mich., can rebuild. That was the message from those looking to change the city’s narrative that it’s a lost cause.

From Flint to the Amphitheater stage inside Chautauqua Institution, Lev Hunter, founder and owner of The Daily Brew in Flint; Anna Clark, journalist and author of “The Poisoned City: Flint’s Water and the American Urban Tragedy”; and Jiquanda Johnson, founder and publisher of the Flint Beat spoke to an audience about the resilience of the Michigan city.

The Flint water crisis began in 2014 after the city’s water source was changed to less costly one. Shortly after, coliform bacterium was found in the water supply along with high levels of lead. A state of emergency was announced in Flint in 2015. The crisis saw the National Guard mobilize to distribute clean bottles of water during the state of emergency.

Clark, who moderated the discussion, has written articles published by Elle, The New York Times, Politico, Columbia Journalism Review, Next City and other publications.

Clark’s book detailing the water crisis in Flint was named one the best of the year by The Washington Post, the San Francisco Kirkus and Amazon. It won the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism.

Clark, before introducing Johnson and Hunter, said part of the trio’s goal was to introduce the audience to the other sides of Flint that haven’t been portrayed by national news outlets. She said the national narrative shifted to Flint being a “basket case” city influencing people to not take it serious.

“(Flint) is an amazing place,” Clark said emphasizing that there’s a lot more to see than just the water crisis.

Two examples of successful stories coming out of Flint were sitting next to Clark on the stage Wednesday. Johnson and Hunter are examples of independent business owners who are growing their company.

Johnson created the Flint Beat after identifying community need for a publication focused solely on her city’s important issues.

Johnson has more than 16 years of journalism experience in print, television and digital media. Her experience has brought her to outlets such as The Detroit News, NBC25, Fox and MLive Media Group/The Flint Journal. At those companies she also covered beats throughout Flint.

It was at MLive where she came to the realization that her city was missing a dedicated news publication. While Flint received much national attention regarding the water crisis, Johnson knew there needed to be more coverage on other important issues in the city.

With the creation of Flint Beat, a nonprofit digital news outlet, Johnson looks to use solutions-based journalism in order to assist underserved communities using her company’s reporting.

Johnson said she wanted to help the people of her city because she “loves the community. It’s like a family.”

Hunter, a self-described entrepreneur, created The Daily Brew among other new small businesses are growing in Flint. His company operates as an online store, serving as a pop-up barist for various events around the region. The company provides coffee beans and tea through its online website.

Hunter also publishes The Daily Brew Podcast every weekday.

Hunter focused on overhauling the city through the people and the growth of small businesses.

“I love Flint. There’s no other place in this world quite like Flint,” Hunter said. “But what makes that true – there’s so many levels to that – but it’s the people there. You have some of the most resilient people.”

With Chautauqua’s week two theme being “Uncommon Ground: Communities Working Toward Solution,” the three discussed the community response to the aftermath of the water crisis. Clark hoped Wednesday’s discussion brought more “complexity” to Flint’s narrative.

Because of Flint’s resiliency, despite job loss and the water crisis, the three advocates on stage were confident the city would bounce back.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today