Alumna and Outlier Media Editor-in-chief Erin Perry influences Detroit community, future journalists

Support and encouragement are consistent themes when alumna Erin Perry, Ph.D. ’24 talks about her Wayne State University experience. From faculty and staff who inspired her, friends with whom she studied, and family who were by her side, Perry credits that support system for her success.

“Completing my doctorate at Wayne State was the most challenging endeavor I’ve ever undertaken — not because the topic was too complex, but because time is a limited resource,” she said. “My family and friends stood by me, offering as much support as I could have reasonably expected.”

Perry, now editor in chief of Outlier Media, began her journey at Cass Technical High School, where her experience working on the school newspaper whet her interest in writing and editing.

A series of internships at the Daily Press in Newport News, Virginia, the Detroit Free Press and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution enriched Perry’s undergraduate experience at Hampton University. That internship-focused education imbues Perry’s passion to support paid internships and professional development opportunities, which is reflected in her work at Outlier.

After earning her master’s from University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2011, Perry became an adjunct faculty member at Wayne State's College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts. Her sorority sister WSU Professor Alicia Nails was instrumental in connecting Perry to the institution.

“During my time as an adjunct faculty member, I developed strong relationships with faculty in the journalism department and admired their intellect and expertise,” Perry said.

Perry, whose family is no strangers to WSU (her sister Tamika earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and information systems, while her niece is dual enrolled at WSU), began considering pursuing her Ph.D. at Wayne State in 2018 after a conversation with Lee Wilkins, then-chair of the Department of Communication. Perry was named a Dean’s Diversity Fellow, easing the financial burden on her path toward a doctorate.

“I chose Wayne State because of the opportunity to learn from brilliant faculty, its location in the heart of my hometown and the tangible support I had received for so many years,” she said.

Perry started at Outlier in 2021 as the investigative news organization’s first managing editor.

“I strive to build on the foundation laid by Outlier Media’s founder Sarah Alvarez and elevate the organization’s profile as the people’s publication,” she said. “We know our work matters — not just because residents, academics and fellow journalists tell us — but because of the tangible impact we’ve had.”

Perry credits Wayne State for preparing her to lead this important work.  

“The combined skill set of a formally trained journalist, educator and researcher have served me well in leading a newsroom focused on investigative reporting and holding those in power accountable, by amplifying the voices of the people most affected by big or seemingly small decisions made for or about them,” she noted.

Perry’s positive energy is palpable as she discusses the many ways Outlier Media’s proactive journalism has led to action for Detroit residents. This includes regular phone bank outreach to residents who have experienced a foreclosure on their home, where volunteers help inform residents about financial benefits that may result from their foreclosure and the steps required to secure those funds. To date, this effort has helped alert residents to more than $4.1 million in potential profits. And during Coffee Thursdays each month, Outlier journalists head to local coffee shops to connect with Detroiters, learn about their challenges and endeavor to provide solutions.

“I’m thrilled to lead an incredibly talented editorial team whose ideas, dedication and commitment to impactful journalism make this work truly rewarding,” Perry said.

Through Outlier’s internship program, Perry aims to reciprocate the support that helped her build a successful career.

“We’ve designed the role around both meaningful work and exploration,” she said. “Instead of a 40-hour work week, we structured a 30-hour schedule at $32 per hour, ensuring interns have time to experience Detroit. That investment paid off: "We hired our first intern full-time at the end of summer 2023. In 2024, we expanded our commitment by contracting with an award-winning photojournalist to mentor a paid photography intern. Then earlier this year, we hired that photojournalist full-time. We've already extended an offer to a Wayne State University student to be our 2025 photo intern."

Perry returns to the Wayne State campus often as a speaker, panelist and mentor. She recently received the Women of Color Trailblazer Award from the Social Justice Committee of the university's President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

“She seeks to continue connecting to students and makes herself available to groups and classes on techniques and professional practice, along with practical ways to enter the field,” said Nails.  “She is a nationally sought-after speaker and represents Wayne State well, as she addresses the issues that shape media coverage of urban issues and the role of nonprofit journalism.”