Detroit’s community publication, Model D, has a new leader. Kyla L. Wright is now its Managing Editor. This appointment marks a historic first. Wright is the first Black woman to hold this top editorial role. She steps in during the 100th anniversary of Black History Month. Her leadership signifies a major moment for media representation in Detroit.
Wright is a Detroit native with deep roots in local journalism. She previously served as a Neighborhoods Reporter for the Detroit Free Press. She also founded her own grassroots publication, Socially Driven. Her career has always centered community voices. Now, she will steward Model D’s mission forward. She aims to tell Detroit’s stories with care and authenticity.
A Detroit Native’s Journey to Journalism Leadership
Kyla Wright’s story starts in Detroit’s own neighborhoods. Her path to journalism began unexpectedly in the eighth grade. She was selecting high school electives at Renaissance High School. A course called “journalism” caught her eye. “It’s writing for the school paper,” her brother Kyle told her. That simple explanation changed everything. Wright loved to write and decided to give it a try.
That high school class became her vehicle for change. She learned to challenge stereotypes and preserve community voices. Journalism was already in her blood, however. She recalls mornings reading the Detroit Free Press. Evenings were spent watching news anchors with her grandmother. These experiences shaped her understanding of storytelling. They showed her the power of local media.
Building a Career Rooted in Community and Equity
Wright’s professional journey took her from Detroit and back. She earned her first degrees at Hampton and Syracuse Universities. She sharpened her reporting and editing skills there. Yet, her focus always returned to hometown stories. She launched Socially Driven to highlight marginalized entrepreneurs. Later, she joined the Detroit Free Press. There, she helped launch the “Detroit Is” vertical.
This work made her transition to Model D feel natural. Her approach is rooted in equity and solutions-based reporting. She is also currently a Ph.D. student at Michigan State University. She studies Media and Information there. This academic work informs her practical vision for journalism. She believes media leadership must reflect the community it serves.
Stewarding a Legacy and Shaping Future Stories
Wright acknowledges the significant platform she now leads. Model D has been a vital Detroit voice since 2005. She follows in the footsteps of editors like Aaron Foley and Kate Roff. She also stands alongside leaders like Nicole Avery Nichols. Wright feels the weight and honor of this responsibility deeply. She plans to lead with humility, care, and conviction.
Her vision is clear: to tell Detroit’s stories, authentically. She invites the community to share their experiences with the newsroom. “We are listening,” Wright assures readers. She sees Detroit as a city of storytellers. Now, as Managing Editor, she is excited to build the next chapter. Together with the city, she will shape a narrative that truly reflects Detroit’s brilliance.
