Authors

A.J. Dugger III is an award-winning journalist and native Memphian who joined High Ground as lead writer for its signature series, On the Ground, in August 2019. Previously, he wrote for numerous publications in West Tennessee and authored two books, “Southern Terror” and “The Dealers: Then and Now.” He has also appeared as a guest expert on the true-crime series, “For My Man.” For more information, visit ajdugger.net. (Photo by April Stilwell)

Shelda Edwards is a visual artist and graphic designer. Follow her on Instagram @legendofshelda.  Cole Bradley is an editor, writer, applied anthropologist and contributing writer at High Ground News since January 2017. 

Baris Gursakal is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He is an Istanbul native who grew up in Memphis, and has an interest in public policy and social justice issues.

Scarlet Ponder is a certified urban planner and an honorary Memphian of five years. As a freelance writer and local transit planer, she is passionate about promoting equitable urban policy and amplifying the stories of everyday change-makers.

El autor Jonathan Rosales tiene 16 años y ha vivido en el área de “The Heights” en Memphis durante la mayor parte de su vida. Es miembro del equipo de medios estudiantiles de “Kingsbury High Flying Falcon” y está interesado en una carrera en el periodismo. Jonathan Rosales, 16, has been a resident of The Heights for most of his life. He’s a junior at Kingsbury High School and a member of their Flying Falcon student media team. In his spare time he enjoys art, helping to plan and decorate for school events and spending time with friends and family outside in his neighborhood and beyond. He’s still exploring future career options but some aspirations include journalist, interior designer, chef, guidance counselor, personal stylist and school administrator.

Melonee Gaines is the owner and lead maven of MPact Media Group, a digital media and public relations consulting firm and has worked as a freelance journalist with MLK50.com, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Crisis Magazine, and The Root. She has also worked in higher and secondary education for 12 years and takes pride in disrupting standard curricula with culturally inclusive texts and perspectives for the next generation of learners.  Follow her food and travel exploits on IG @meloneedg.  

Natalie Eddings is a Memphis artist who uses photography to question life as we know it. Using the camera to depict our ever-inquisitive mind, her work aligns with humanity’s search for truth, light and beauty. She earned a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree with a concentration in photography in May 2018. Cole Bradley is a native Memphian and applied anthropologist. Since 2011, Cole has worked as a researcher, strategist, and community engagement specialist across the city's private, public, and non-profit sectors. Passionate about storytelling, they began contributing to High Ground News in 2017.

Brandi is a freelance journalist, brand writer and tech strategist based in Memphis, TN.

Jeremiah Graham is a Memphis native born in the Orange Mound community. The recent University of Memphis graduate spent time as sports editor of the Daily Helmsman, the school campus newspaper. During his young journalism career, he has also spent time interning with the Commercial Appeal and the Memphis Redbirds. While freelancing, he also works as sports editor at the Germantown News, covering high school sports.

Memphis native Ashlei Williams has been writing for business, philanthropic, minority and academic audiences for a decade. She earned her master’s in Journalism from Northwestern University’s Medill School and bachelor’s in English from Spelman College. In 2016, she started GJC Publicity, focusing on editorial, marketing, advertising and creative writing. Get in touch with her at [email protected].

Paul Dudenhefer is a writer and editor who lives in Memphis.

Dawn Neuses is a transplant Memphian and part-time freelance journalist from the Midwest who spent the past year exploring her new home in the Mid-South. Dawn was a reporter for 20 years, covering everything from education to community activism, and enjoys learning something new from every person she meets.