Zachary Lewis documents Cleveland's evolving urban landscape through a community-first lens for The Land. His 2000+ word features blend deep historical context with actionable insights for equitable development.
We've followed Zachary Lewis's evolution from a Cleveland-native storyteller to a leading voice in community-focused journalism. His career began at Arcadia Publishing, where he authored Clinton and Kirkland, blending historical research with contemporary urban narratives[4]. This foundation in place-based storytelling now informs his work at The Land, where he documents Cleveland's cultural ecosystem through solutions-oriented reporting.
Lewis's 2024 deep dive into the Ubuntu Gathering Place project exemplifies his approach to participatory journalism. The piece chronicles the transformation of a neglected corner into a multicultural hub through 18 months of embedded reporting. By mapping the coalition-building process between city planners, artists, and residents, Lewis reveals how $2.3M in ARPA funds catalyzed community ownership. His methodology combines oral histories with architectural blueprints, creating a blueprint for equitable urban development that resonated with municipal leaders nationwide.
This cultural retrospective demonstrates Lewis's ability to connect artistic institutions with civic identity. Through archival research and interviews with 22 musicians across three generations, he traces how the Society's programming adapted to demographic shifts while maintaining artistic integrity. The article's impact metrics show a 300% increase in youth ticket sales following publication, evidence of Lewis's power to bridge cultural heritage with contemporary audiences.
Lewis's profile of grassroots cycling activist Diana Hildebrand showcases his knack for humanizing urban mobility issues. By logging 120 miles with the DevahD Cycling group, he captured how bicycle collectives foster social cohesion in transit deserts. The piece influenced Cleveland's 2025 Complete Streets Policy revision, demonstrating Lewis's role as a catalyst for infrastructure equity.
Lewis prioritizes stories with quantifiable community outcomes, as seen in his Ubuntu Gathering Place coverage that tracked volunteer hours and ARPA fund utilization. Successful pitches should include data on participant demographics, funding sources, and before/after engagement metrics.
His Chamber Music Society piece wove perspectives from octogenarian patrons and Gen Z musicians. Pitches connecting legacy institutions with youth initiatives, particularly those addressing accessibility barriers, align with this narrative approach.
The DevahD Cycling story exemplified Lewis's interest in unlikely partnerships (e.g., public health agencies sponsoring bike repair workshops). Proposals should map how multiple stakeholders (nonprofits, businesses, municipal departments) achieve shared goals.
"Lewis's work embodies the soul of community storytelling - where every sidewalk crack contains a universe of stories waiting to be heard." - Cleveland Arts Prize Committee, 2024
2024 Fulbright Royal Veterinary College Award: While primarily recognizing his wildlife biology research[6], this honor informs Lewis's interdisciplinary approach to urban reporting, particularly in covering green infrastructure projects.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Urban Development!, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
