About Shawntai

I am a journalist in my mid-20s who loves to write about local events, good eating, movies, theater and more.

I am originally from Detroit, born and raised on the west side of the city. Don’t think I am so gangster, though. I lived a sheltered life, and as more and more of my childhood friends turned to selling drugs, my father pushed me and my siblings to focus on our academics and school life.

I spent my high school years absorbing all downtown Detroit had to offer, and found,  in between the grit and grim of the streets, communities of artists. I learned that a city is built by creative minds, which is why the Downtown Dates series and everything I write about centers on the cultural and artistic venues that paint a neighborhood.

I moved to Kalamazoo in 2004 to attend Western Michigan University. From there, I obtained a Bachelor’s in English with  a creative writing emphasis and minored in Spanish and journalism. Since then, I have written and copy edited for Booth Newspapers, which houses the Kalamazoo Gazette, the Muskegon Chronicle and the Grand Rapids Press, among others.

You also can see some of my work at paragonlifeblog.com.

I do freelance and will take writing and editing jobs. If you would like to work with me, please send e-mail to shawntai.brown@gmail.com, or leave me a comment.

Thank you for reading and please visit again!