Darian Stevenson | DStevenson@syracuse.com

My name is Darian Stevenson and I am a Breaking News Reporter for Syracuse.com. I cover a range of topics from crime and public safety to courts and government on occasion. As a writer and a Black woman, my focus is covering stories that involve the Black community. In St. Louis, I wrote a story about two doulas who started a collective to help bridge the gap between Black mothers and healthcare workers. I also highlighted a Black personal trainer who advocates for sexual health and positivity through his own personal diagnosis with genital HSV-2 by building a community around others struggling with their diagnoses. At Syracuse.com I wrote about an organization working to hold police accountable using untraditional methods and have connected with many who work to help lessen the gun violence in Syracuse's inner city. I’m from Illinois. And, no, not Chicago as most people assume. I grew up in a smallish town called Alton, which was named the best place to retire by Forbes and was the home to Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in history at 8 ft. 11 in. I lived thirty minutes outside of St. Louis, Missouri, the best culinary experience you’ll ever have, from smoked meats to St. Paul sandwiches, but of course, I’m biased! I moved from Illinois to New York a little over a year ago. I attended Syracuse University and received a Master of Arts in Magazine, News, and Digital Journalism from Newhouse School of Public Communications. Prior to moving to New York, I received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications and Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.