In recent years, a number of hyperlocal journalism outlets -such as Sahan Journal, Racket MN, and Downtown Voices– have become a critical component of the media landscape, addressing the specific needs and interests of Minneapolis communities defined by a limited identity or geography.

ETBP and DMNA are co-presenting this panel to shed light on these outlets’ abilities to leverage technology in an accessible and responsive manner within those communities. Moderated by Mark Remme, Director of Communications at Mpls Downtown Council, this discussion will decipher the panelist’s processes, partnerships, and impacts.

Learn more about our panelists below:

Hannah Ihekoronye is the community engagement manager at Sahan Journal. She leads the nonprofit newsroom’s outreach and engagement initiatives to strengthen connections with Minnesota’s immigrants and communities of color. She is also the editor of Sahan Pathfinder, an arts and culture weekly newsletter highlighting events and resources. Previously, she was Sahan’s digital producer. Before joining Sahan Journal, Hannah was the digital content strategist at Pillsbury United Communities. Hannah earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

Keith Harris is the oldest living co-founder and editor of Racket, a Twin Cities arts and culture website. He was a longtime music editor at City Pages and he has been writing about music and pretty much everything else for 25 years. He has been published in the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and in multiple publications, both print and online, that no longer exist.

Brianna Kelly joins Minneapolis Voices as editor of Downtown Voices from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, where she’s been tackling stories in retail, restaurants, and transportation. Many of them have focused on things that are essential to the future of downtown, from Target’s remote work policies to Uber and Lyft’s threats to leave the city over proposed minimum wage policies to a new seafood spot coming to Nicollet Mall in November. Prior to the Business Journal, Brianna worked at The Real Deal, Crain’s Chicago Business, and The Associated Press. Brianna has both a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from DePaul University.