A Journalism Powerhouse Returns
Memphis’ own Wendi C. Thomas is back in the national spotlight, and this time, she’s rejoining ProPublica’s Distinguished Fellows program. The founder of MLK50: Justice Through Journalism will return to investigative reporting on May 1, bringing her relentless pursuit of truth back to the ProPublica newsroom through April 2027. If you don’t already know her work, now’s the time to pay attention, because when Thomas investigates, change happens.
From Memphis to the National Stage
Thomas is no stranger to ProPublica. From 2019 to 2021, she partnered with the nonprofit investigative outlet for a groundbreaking series, Profiting From the Poor. That reporting exposed the debt-collection practices of Memphis’ largest hospital system, leading to real policy changes that erased medical debts for countless patients. The project won awards and it changed lives. And that’s exactly why her return to ProPublica matters. Thomas isn’t here for clickbait. She’s here to hold the powerful accountable and uplift the stories of people too often ignored.
What This Means for Memphis
Memphis is a city with a rich history of activism, and Thomas continues that legacy through journalism. She founded MLK50 in 2017 with just $3,000 and a big vision: to tell the stories that mainstream media wasn’t covering. Today, the newsroom has a $2 million budget and has become a vital force in the city, investigating issues like economic justice, workers’ rights, and healthcare disparities. With her voice amplified through ProPublica, the issues Memphis faces will get national attention, and that can lead to real solutions.
A Trailblazer in Investigative Journalism
Thomas’ career is proof that great journalism can make a difference. She’s won some of the biggest awards in the industry, including the Selden Ring Award, a Gerald Loeb Award, and the I.F. Stone Medal for Journalistic Independence. Whether she’s tackling healthcare injustices or exposing policies that harm Memphis’ most vulnerable residents, her work is a masterclass in accountability journalism.
Good Trouble, Big Impact
In her own words, Thomas is back to make “good trouble” on behalf of the people who need it most. Memphis has always been a city of resilience, activism, and change-makers, and her work is a reminder that journalism is a powerful tool for justice. As she takes on new investigative projects with ProPublica, the entire city should be watching and ready to support the work that keeps Memphis moving forward.
So here’s to Wendi C. Thomas: a journalist, a truth-teller, and a champion for the 901.
