Authors

Ashley Mayfield is a native Memphian and graduate of East High School and The University of Tennessee Knoxville. Mayfield is a resident of Orange Mound and graduate of the first High Ground News Community Correspondents program. 

Deborah Gaddy-Robertson is a recent graduate of Strayer University, where she earned an MBA in Leadership. She is a Certified Life Coach and author of a fictional novel, "Cor 'poor' ate America." She is currently working on her second literary project, "Little Epiphanies from God."

Monique Rials works for Memphis Public Libraries and runs a furniture restoration and painting business, Salvage Life 81. Rials is a Frayser resident and graduate of the first High Ground News Community Correspondents program. 

Leigh Tatum is a behavioral health consultant with a M.S. in social work. She is a resident of The Heights and graduate of the first High Ground News Community Correspondents program.

Alexandria Moore is a healthcare professional and freelance writer. Moore is a resident of Orange Mound and graduate of the first High Ground News Community Correspondents program.

Chris Jones is an attorney, community and non-profit strategist, and freelance writer.  Originally from Starkville, Mississippi, Chris has lived in Memphis for over 25 years.  In his spare time, he loves traveling, learning about history and society, and playing the guitar.

Ashley Foxx Davis is an author, educator, artist and Memphis native. She's been featured in Glamour, Ebony, and Essence magazines; Blackenterprise.com; TheRoot.com; and BET.com. Find her at kifanipress.com.

Jim Coleman is a freelance writer, covering a variety of topics from high school sports, community news and small business. He has written for different news organizations over the past 20 years, including The Commercial Appeal, Community Weeklies, Lexington Herald-Leader and The Albuquerque Journal.

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) Cole Bradley is a native Memphian, graduate of the University of Memphis and High Ground's managing editor. Cole's worked locally as a researcher and community engagement strategist and joined the High Ground in Jan 2017. Cole's is passionate about solutions journalism and anthro-journalism, fusing anthropological methods for deep community engagement with people-centered, sidewalk-level journalism.

Shirley Bondon is a policy analyst focused on programs and projects that inform understanding of social, economic and environmental factors that shape our health, including quality education, affordable and stable housing, access to good jobs with fair pay, safe communities and access to quality medical care.