Flint Journal photographer Jake May and photo intern Devin Anderson-Torrez see the city and its people through more than their camera lenses – it’s also through their hearts.
In early September, the duo began publishing a story and photos once a week under the heading “We Are Flint.” Each story features a person or people who reflect a positive aspect of the community through their dreams, their passions or their experiences.
The idea for the series came from Anderson-Torrez, a 2023 graduate of Michigan State University who started in our Flint newsroom in July.
“I set out to find all the little things that make this community diverse and beautiful in everyday life,” he said “Flint is flourishing with creativity and strength and unsung heroes. They are around every corner.”
Anderson-Torrez found enthusiastic support for the idea from May, who has grown deep bonds to the Flint community in the decade he has worked in the city for MLive, as well as Journal Editor Roberto Acosta and MLive statewide photo editor J. Scott Park.
May, who was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his coverage of the Flint water crisis, is always striving to show all aspects of city life.
“Flint has been dealt a number of bad hands over the last 40 years, and in doing so, negativity has surrounded a lot of local and national coverage of the city,” he said.
“This leaves residents wanting to be seen for who they are and why they chose to stay. There are amazing people who make up Flint’s population, helping it to thrive every day. They don’t do it for recognition. They don’t do it to be seen. They just do what needs to be done to build the city for a greater tomorrow today.”
The stories from May and Anderson-Torrez unfold with the feel of an old friend telling you about someone they admire over a cup of coffee. Of course, they are beautifully photographed.
Anderson-Torrez recently profiled a Flint police officer and motivational speaker who used tough experiences growing up, and the mentorship of significant figures in his life, to make positive impacts in every interaction he has in the community.
May’s most recent piece was a gentle and inspiring tale of a self-taught beekeeper on Flint’s north side, a man who’d seen adversity but has found renewal in the patient art of making honey. In the simple act of tending hives, the man, Jason Bey, uncovers wisdom we can all heed.
“The bees have their own cycle and move at their own pace,” Bey says. “We have to slow down as humans and be patient. The honey will come.”
Readers are noticing and responding to the positivity. After the beekeeper story published, one reader was moved to write to May:
Showing, not telling. All that is a newspaper recipe for success. But the real reason this works is you. You connected with his soul. You illustrated his zany personality and his entrepreneurial thinking. You did the magic so I could see myself in this, connecting with him just as you did. Thanks for being generous, and sharing your gifts with the community, and bringing a big smile to keep me going. – Sherry
She noticed a fundamental truth about journalism: It is from humans, for humans, and compassion is as important to overall context as are facts. Anderson-Torrez said that recognition provided the inspiration for “We Are Flint.”
“My parents had me at 19. As they learned, I did, too,” he said, “My mother’s openness and empathy throughout my childhood allowed me to understand so much about the world around me at an early age. She taught me how to treat others and how to give love in every interaction.”
May, his partner in this endeavor, shares the same view: “I’ve always led my reporting and photography with my heart first. To be true to the cities we cover, we have to be fair and show all that we are.”
Do you have a suggestion for someone to feature in “We Are Flint?” If so, email May at jmay2@mlive.com.
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John Hiner is the vice president of content for MLive Media Group. If you have questions you’d like him to answer, or topics to explore, share your thoughts at editor@mlive.com.
