Our team

• Maria Delgado-Wright Editor-in-Chief

  Maria oversees all editorial operations at the Gazette and sets the publication's strategic direction. She has spent much of her career in community journalism across the Midwest, with a deep focus on local government and civic engagement. She lives in Mansfield with her family and is committed to making local accountability reporting accessible to everyone.

• James Okafor Managing Editor

  James manages the day-to-day editorial workflow, from story assignments to final copy review. His background is in digital media and investigative reporting, with a particular interest in public records and municipal budgets. He believes the best local journalism starts with listening to the people most affected by policy decisions.

• Rachel Kinney Senior Staff Writer

  Rachel covers Richland County civic affairs, including city council, county government, and local elections. She grew up in north-central Ohio and has reported on small-city politics and economic development for several years. Her work centers on making government processes understandable and relevant to residents.

• Terrence Byrd Staff Reporter

  Terrence reports on workers' rights, labor issues, and economic equality across Richland County. He came to journalism after years of community organizing and brings a ground-level perspective to stories about wages, working conditions, and the local economy.

• Lily Chen-Marcum Education & Culture Reporter

  Lily covers local education, arts, and the cultural heritage that defines Mansfield — including the carousel history that gives the Gazette its name. She is passionate about telling the stories of the people and traditions that shape the identity of the community.

• David Rowe Contributing Editor

  David supports the editorial team with copy editing, fact-checking, and occasional feature writing. He has a background in print journalism and a longstanding interest in downtown revitalization and community development in smaller Ohio cities.