This week has been rough y’all. But we’re finding small comfort in this conversation with Candice Fortman, a Detroit-based journalist (Outlier Media, MuckRock) and founder of Ladies Who Pizza – a social group for women to have fun, be vulnerable, be free and, as the name suggests, eat pizza. The concept sounds simple, but Candice says the stories and experiences that have come out of it have made an indelible mark on their lives, especially in a world where women are often made to bear the brunt of the burden at home, at work, etc. This is a safe space, free from the “male gaze,” for women – most of whom are strangers – to find community. Stephanie and Candice talked about a lot – from Detroit’s resilience in the face of crisis to increasing media transparency for people who lack access – and it all came back to the importance of community.

Produced by Stephanie Kuo and Juan Ramirez. Music by Brad Turner and Blue Dot Sessions.

LINKS DU JOUR

• E50: Detroiters are Fighters (w/ Devita Davison, Malik Yakini & Serena Maria Daniels) (Racist Sandwich)

• When Coronavirus Quarantine Is Class Warfare by Charlie Warzel (New York Times)

• By mass-texting local residents, Outlier Media connects low-income news consumers to useful, personalized data by Christine Schmidt (Nieman Lab)