Detroit News reporter named 2024-25 Knight-Wallace journalism fellow

Detroit News reporter Sarah Rahal on Wednesday was named a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow, a prestigious program based at the University of Michigan offering time and resources for accomplished journalists around the world to pursue journalism projects.

Rahal, who covers Detroit and is part of the newspaper's investigations team, will be among a class of 18 journalists from nine countries and the U.S. who will leave their newsrooms for the 2024-25 academic year to audit UM classes and participate in weekly seminars with journalism leaders and innovators, scholars and others while working on their projects.

Rahal, 29, plans to research the challenges and successes that municipalities face as they support refugees and asylum seekers. She will also research the impact of growing refugee communities on local politics, economics and culture. She's among the youngest to be selected for the fellowship.

"We're thrilled that Sarah has been named a Knight-Wallace Fellow," said Gary Miles, Detroit News editor and publisher. "Not only does it mean she'll have time and resources to explore critical and challenging issues in depth, but she'll also be bringing that knowledge back to the newsroom and to the readers of The News."

Michigan is suffering as the 49th worst for population growth nationally, according to the Grow Michigan Together Council appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Rahal said. The task force looked only slightly into how immigration could be a potential solution.

"I hope to take that one step further and see where migrants currently fall through the cracks, how the state can proactively get ahead of overwhelming shelters by seeking out solutions journalism from other places that are mitigating impact," said Rahal, a Wayne State University alumna and the Michigan chapter president of the Asian American Journalists Association, a national nonprofit working towards improving newsroom diversity and funding minority student scholarships.

Rahal's work around the issue has included stories such as refugees and asylum-seekers overwhelming Michigan shelters, challenges migrants faced during the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan jails, how just 1.3% of Michigan's border patrol arrests are related to illegal border crossings, how Michigan is becoming a safe haven for Congolese refugees and the Iraqi detainee crisis led to the death of Shelby Township man.

Now in its 51st year, the Knight-Wallace Fellowship program is funded through endowment gifts from foundations, news organizations and individuals committed to journalism’s role in fostering an informed and engaged public. It is based at Wallace House, a gift from the late newsman Mike Wallace and his wife, Mary, near UM's campus.

“We’re honored to introduce the newest cohort of Knight-Wallace Fellows, whose expertise spans a diverse array of critical topics,” said Lynette Clemetson, director of Wallace House. “Their projects will delve into pressing issues such as protecting vulnerable sources, navigating the implications of technological advancements and supporting reporters in hostile environments. Through their collaborative, cross-disciplinary efforts, they’re poised to make a profound impact not only within journalism but also in the communities they serve.”

kkozlowski@detroitnews.com