Michelle Yang is an advocate whose writings on the intersection of Asian American identity, body image, and mental health have been published in NBC News, CNN, InStyle, and Reader’s Digest. Michelle has also been featured on NPR, the Washington Post, and the Seattle Times for her advocacy. Phoenix Girl: How a Fat Asian with Bipolar Found Love, from Fifth Avenue Press, is her debut memoir. When not writing, Michelle loves exploring new parts of her new home state of Michigan with her family and smoking up the kitchen with spicy recipes. You can find her on michelleyangwriter.com or on Instagram @michelleyangwriter.
Patti Smith is a long-time Ann Arborite, once described as the city’s biggest fan. Patti is a former legal aid lawyer turned special education teacher. She is a storyteller and public speaker who has written four traditionally published history books about Ann Arbor. She lives in a condo with her husband, Ken Anderson, and their dog, Pugsley.
Craig Ross is an attorney and small business owner who has lived in Ann Arbor with his wife Sue for over fifty years. He has written books on Michigan sports and is associated with MGoBlog, participating in WTKA’s Thursday Round Table. He just finished a book on the history of football prior to 1900.
Anna McLean is a University of Michigan undergraduate, student journalist, and unapologetic em-dash lover. She’s majoring in Political Science and serving as the Managing Editor of the Michigan Daily’s investigative journalism beat. When she’s not chasing a story or editing a lede, you’ll likely find her with a beach read in hand, sipping an overpriced Ann Arbor matcha, or posting pictures of her adorable cat, Juno. You can find her work here, and she can be reached at [email protected].
Micheline (Micki) Maynard is a born-and-raised Ann Arborite who has lived in six different parts of town. She remembers buying candy at Drake’s, and one of her first jobs was as a gift wrapper at Jacobson’s. As a grown-up, she’s written six books and reported for publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, and Fortune. She has two Substack newsletters, CulinaryWoman (culinarywoman.substack.com) and Intersection: Everything That Moves (inter move.substack.com). You can also follow her on Threads and Instagram @michelinemaynard and TikTok @CulinaryWoman, or email her at [email protected].
Jan Schlain has been a regular contributor to the Ann Arbor Observer since the early 2000s.