About

Dallas Nomad is a 501(c)(3) culture magazine and populist newsroom dedicated informing and engaging the working class. Founded by watchdog reporters Marlissa Collier and Sam Judy, the publication embraces an Afropunk ethos while amplifying the voices of the marginalized, advocating for truth in media. Nomad is committed to delivering high-quality journalism that balances an incisive and critical perspective with a genuine love for our community.

We take our name from the several nomadic tribes that have settled in what is now known as Dallas, including the Comanche, the Kiowa, and the Tonkawa. Likewise, the city has always been home to wanderers; both arriving to and hailing from the area. Independent, free-thinking, and practical, our readers aren’t stupid. So naturally, we approach the work with a bold approach that would make them proud.

We’re not reinventing the wheel here. The goal is not to transform journalism, but to meet the people where they’re at. We inject the art of storytelling into various digital formats to deliver context-dense, thought-provoking, and relevant content that inspires confidence in the marginalized and vindicates the community.

Our team delivers in-depth reporting on the critical issues shaping our city, state, nation, and foreign affairs. We’re talking news on policy, criminal justice, the environment, health equity, housing and food security, education, and, frankly, any challenge faced by disenfranchised communities. Our local newsroom seeks to serve as a trusted source for essential information while combatting the bullshit that is misinformation and disinformation.

On the offset, we know that culture and the arts are some of the things we live for. And similarly, we give spotlight to the subcultures, communities, and creatives that exemplify Dallas. From the DJs in Oak Cliff to the legacy business owners in East Dallas; From the graffiti artists of West Dallas to the DIY’ers of Fair Park; From the tattoo artists in Deep Ellum to the creatives living in the Cedars; Dallas Nomad emphasizes not only the struggle, but what’s at stake and what keeps us going.

This is all to say that while we take our journalism seriously, we also understand that keeping up with today’s 24-hour news cycle has the potential to trigger anxiety attacks. So, in our downtime, we cut loose. We celebrate the vibrant arts, culture, music, and local scenes that make Dallas unique. Staying true to the Nomad life, we make it a point to explore the city’s hidden gems and shine the spotlight on the people and stories that make Dallas special.

Keeping the Lights On

The Dallas Nomad is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit newsroom that relies on a diverse range of funding sources to support our mission. These include:

• Individual Donations: The generosity of our readers and supporters is essential to our work. Your contributions, no matter the size, directly impact our ability to produce high-quality and hyper-local journalism.
• Foundation Grants: We are grateful for the support of foundations that recognize the importance of independent journalism. These grants help us fund investigative reporting, data journalism, civic education, and community engagement initiatives.
• All Local Ads: Partnerships with community businesses tightens our bonds to the community and local culture.
• Project Grants: We actively seek opportunities to collaborate with foundations and agencies on projects that align with our mission. These partnerships allow us to leverage additional resources and expertise.

By diversifying our funding sources, we ensure the sustainability of Dallas Nomad and our commitment to serving the DFW community.

Staff