by Robin Kemp

UPDATE Aug. 14, 2021: We moved to Donorbox a while ago for all donations (more professional, costs less, better data). Please make your generous donation at https://donorbox.org/clayton-crescent. Thank you!

I cannot begin to express my gratitude for the outpouring of moral and financial support from people all over the planet.

Thank you.

Some of you have asked for a link to the GoFundMe page, which used to live on our “Support” page on our top menu. I took it down when the original effort (several months ago!) ended.

For the record, I did not re-open solicitations–a stranger found the old GoFundMe page, tweeted it, and encouraged others to contribute.

Mind. Blown.

I am incredibly grateful. At last check, the fund had a little over $40,000–including $10,000 from a stranger and many different amounts from old friends, former coworkers, and people who came to know my work on the night of November 5-6, 2020.

Only because people are filling up The Clayton Crescent’s News Tip form with this request, here is a link to the GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/prestartup-gap-funds-for-nonprofit-news-coverage

I’m good on things like attorneys, accountants, and 501(c)(3) advice, fortunately–thank you for all your kind offers to help out.

I’m also getting offers of fellowships, book agents, documentary participation, and other wonderful opportunities. I’m open to serious inquiries.

Because I certainly was not expecting this fantastic financial windfall, I’ve had to enlist a little help from my board of directors and ad hoc advisors, who in turn have gotten The Clayton Crescent a proper accounting setup, a lawyer with experience in handling nonprofit corporate paperwork, and other general sound advice. These are professionals I trust, with tons of experience in the nonprofit world, and they are walking me through what needs doing.

Richard T. Griffiths is a former CNN coworker and former president of the Georgia First Amendment Foundation. He has a lot of experience in the nonprofit world. So does his wife, Debbie Griffiths, who is a CPA and who understands exactly how to set up what needs setting up. Tammy Joyner is a solid journalist who lives in Clayton County and provides crucial perspective on the local landscape.

I deal with several attorneys, all pro bono, behind the scenes–some for the nonprofit side, some for the First Amendment side.

The elephant and donkey in the room? The publicity.

I am trying to keep up with all the interviews, articles, etc. and will throw the links here in odd moments for anyone who’s interested and for the record. If you see something I’ve missed, just let me know.

I’m also still getting tons of requests for interviews, articles, etc. I love helping a fellow journalist out and appreciate the need for a quick turn, but am having trouble keeping up in between my own work. Please keep in mind that I am running most of this show solo, particularly the newsgathering and production parts, with hours and days burned on one single story–the election and recount process–while other more locally-focused stories also demand attention.

My preferred method of contact for interview requests is e-mail or PM via Twitter and my preferred content is brief and to the point.
I am on Eastern Time (-5 GMT/London, +3 West Coast). Please be considerate of the hour.

I will do my best to get back to you but the interviews I’m seeking for my readers must come first. Also, I have family obligations, housework, and a very sensitive large dog who resents my absence.

I don’t think of myself as “a hero.” I assume my “fame” timecode is at :00:00:14:29. I am glad that I was able to be there for the ballot count and to be a witness for the people of Clayton County and for everyone else who took an interest as the night wore on.

Want to make me happy? Please, please seek out your local nonprofit news organization and help them out if you can. Subscribe to your local newspaper or public broadcasting outlet. Newsgathering costs money, plain and simple. Your donation helps someone keep a community informed, but also helps them keep food on the table and the lights on. Please invest in those outlets that are invested in your community. Many of my colleagues are doing this work, also out of their back pockets, also in response to layoffs and news deserts all over the United States, and they are equally deserving of your support.

Thank you, everybody. I’m still in shock.

–Robin Kemp, Founder/Editor/Publisher/Reporter/Photographer/Chief Head Gofer in Charge/Clayton County Bureau Chief

The Clayton Crescent

claytoncrescent.org