Column: Cultivating Growth at Davidson Local
There’s something inherently powerful about the first fruits of any endeavor, the tangible rewards that symbolize the start of something good. For me, this summer was full of these moments—both in my personal garden and within the growing community of Davidson Local.
The tomato plants I tend to every day aren’t just about what’s sprouting from the soil—they’re named for writers who have shaped my understanding of the world and the importance of storytelling. Ida B. Wells, Octavia Butler, Zora Neale Hurston, and James Baldwin. Each one of these names represents resilience, vision, and a commitment to unearthing truth. Much like the crops I’ve nurtured, these names represent the foundation I am building with Davidson Local: a community that is not only growing in number but in heart and impact.
This summer, I’ve been lucky to spend time with the Davidson Local team and their families, watching how our work together blooms. Whether it was in a meeting room discussing next steps for community engagement or out on the ground, interacting with local readers, it’s been a reminder of how much the strength of our organization lies in its people. From the hard work we’ve put into every editorial meeting to the connections made at local events, this team’s commitment is undeniable. It’s more than just journalism—it’s about fostering a space for growth, nurturing voices, and giving back to the community that sustains us.
That commitment shows in every corner of our newsroom—Sharon Myers bringing sharp insight to government and crime stories, Atalia Cardenas offering thoughtful Spanish translation ideas to expand our reach, and all the neighbors and readers who choose to contribute tips and story ideas. Each voice adds depth and texture to the stories we tell, helping us better reflect the community we serve.
As we transition from this summer into the new season, I’m reminded of how our work is like a garden—sometimes it takes a little patience, a lot of attention, and a healthy dose of trust in the process. The first fruit of the labor we’ve invested is beginning to show, with more community-driven stories, expanding partnerships, and a growing readership that’s as hungry for local news as we are to deliver it.
The truth is, building something that matters takes time. Like the tomatoes in my garden, which grew not from my own seed but from gifts of others, Davidson Local is the result of collective effort. It’s the result of community members, families, donors, and supporters all planting seeds and watching them grow.
We’ve seen this in the support for our community conversations, our ongoing collaboration with local organizations, and the impact of Thomas Martin’s stories. What’s blossoming here is the result of people coming together, working toward a shared vision for what local journalism can be. Like a tomato plant stretching toward the sun, we’re constantly reaching higher—always in search of truth, engagement, and service to those who matter most: our community.
In the coming months, as the fall approaches, we’ll harvest more than just the fruits of our labor. We’ll gather lessons learned, new connections, and a continued dedication to telling the stories that matter most. Just like the tomatoes I’ve grown, each story is a little piece of something larger, a testament to how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go.
And as we continue cultivating, together, we’ll see just how high the vines can grow.
