Learning from Flint: Telling the Stories That Need To Be Told

Water notices posted beside a drinking water fountain in Flint, Mich. © Photo courtesy of James Bruggers.

On July 22, 2016, the public joined us for a community conversation about important regional and national environmental and health issues, and a potential conference and reporting project. The event, organized by SEJ with the University of Michigan-Flint, began with an informal reception, followed by the speakers program and Q&A with SEJ board members Jeffrey Burnside (president), Elizabeth Grossman and Susan Moran.

Featured speakers included:

  • UM-Flint Chancellor Susan E. Borrego
  • Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of the Michigan State University and Children’s Hurley Hospital Pediatric Public Health Initiative
  • Curt Guyette, ACLU investigative reporter

Coverage:

"I have no confidence in this state or in the federal government. What I have confidence in is journalism — real journalism — where the truth gets lit up. If you guys don’t keep putting the heat on, we are cooked.”Flint, Mich. resident Robert Thomas

 

DEQ water quality sign posted at a local restaurant in Flint. © Photo courtesy of James Bruggers.