Lexi Goodnough

Community Journalism Director

What I do here

As the community journalism director, I lead our community engagement strategy, including recruiting for the Tulsa Documenters program where we train and pay community members to document public meetings and publish the results on our growing public record. When I’m not supporting our Documenters program, I’m out in communities across Tulsa every week connecting with residents to find ways we can better serve their news needs. I’m incredibly passionate about community building and love collaborating with folks to bring more accurate and comprehensive information to Tulsans. 

My background

I’m originally from Upstate New York and moved here in 2019 to serve as a Tulsa Public Schools elementary educator. During my time as an educator supported by Teach For America, I became familiar with the needs of my students, their families and the surrounding community. When COVID-19 hit and amplified their struggles, I leaned into community building. I co-founded the Tulsa Community Fridge Project, a mutual aid project existing at the intersection of food insecurity and food waste. Additionally, I became a Tulsa Changemakers coach, where I guided my students to identify issues in their communities and organize toward meaningful, student-led solutions. I use these experiences to make Documenters and our community reporting more accessible, representative and responsive to local needs. 

Where can you find me in Tulsa?

One of my favorite things about Tulsa is its coffee scene, which, in my opinion, is unrivaled. Catch me at Coracle, Fulton Street, Shades of Brown, Paréa, Collaborative and Origin. I also really enjoy trying new restaurants popping up around town, going for walks at Heller Park or on Riverside and hitting up our awesome thrift and vintage stores. 

Journalistic ethics

My work is grounded in a belief in collective power and equitable access to information. I strive to connect with Tulsans from all walks of life to better understand both the bright spots and the challenges they encounter in their daily lives. I’m deeply committed to finding ways to serve our communities that invite neighbors to see themselves as true partners in this work.