About Me
I am a visual data journalist exploring new storytelling methods for investigative stories and a co-founder of the Center for American Politics and Design (CAPD), a research group investigating the graphic vernacular of American politics.
Day-to-day, I currently do a mix of data reporting, creating visualizations, and front-end web development for enterprise and investigative stories across McClatchy publications— Miami Herald, The Charlotte Observer, The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee to name a few.
I was recently part of the team honored by the National Press Foundation, Investigative Reporters & Editors, and Society for News Design for the “Big Poultry” series investigating the poultry industry in North Carolina for The Charlotte Observer and The News & Observer. Some other recent projects have involved investigating sludge in relationship to the proliferation of forever chemicals in South Carolina and mapping foreclosure lawsuits in St.Petersburg, Florida that disproportionately hit Black communities.
Previously, I worked as a strategist and designer at the branding agency, Graj+Gustavsen on projects for commercial clients including Kohl’s, 7-Eleven, Easy~Spirit, and Men’s Wearhouse.
Contact:
smerriam@mcclatchy.com
Follow:
Twitter
Instagram
Github