Meet Alanah Nichole Davis, Technical.ly’s new Baltimore reporter

You might know her from this site, for which she’s written about antiracist allyship, discussing work with your family and more. You might also know her from the columns and profiles she’s written for such publications as Salon, Baltimore Magazine and The Baltimore Banner. Or you may know of her poetry, or her nonprofit board service or something else.

Now, you can know her for something else: being Technical.ly’s new lead reporter for Baltimore.

Yes, Davis is the latest hire at our company, rounding out a distributed newsroom that consists of Technical.ly Managing Editor Julie Zeglen; reporters Holly Quinn in Delaware, Paige Gross and Sarah Huffman in Philly, Michaela Althouse in DC, and Atiya Irvin-Mitchell in Pittsburgh; and me, an editor and occasional reporter, principally for our Baltimore and DC markets.

Davis comes to Technical.ly after a stellar career that has included the aforementioned accomplishments and contributing bylines, as well as graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art with a master’s degree in social design in 2021; winning two MDDC Press Association awards for a column she wrote for Maryland Matters; and serving on the boards of several arts and youth enrichment organizations throughout the region and beyond. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I first connected with Davis back in 2020, when I was an arts reporter for The Baltimore Sun and interviewed her for articles about the pandemic’s impact on local creatives and the passing of actor Chadwick Boseman. Over the years, I learned just how central she was to many of these worlds that were both professional and personal concerns for me, as well as how deep her network runs in this region where she grew up (after being born in the Bronx, New York). Technical.ly recognized that well before I came aboard, when she was named one of Baltimore’s RealLIST Connectors in 2020.

Now, we’re so thrilled that someone so familiar to many of you will be the latest reporter to cover how tech, entrepreneurship and society converge in and around Baltimore. And if you’re not familiar yet, learn more about Davis’ work via this Q&A below:

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Technical.ly: You come to this position with tons of experience in Baltimore’s nonprofit, arts and entrepreneurial worlds, as well as connections throughout. Besides your incredible network, what from those experiences do you hope to bring to this role — your first as a full-time reporter?

Davis: My background in Baltimore’s nonprofit, arts and entrepreneurial sectors taught me the importance of connections, patience, humor and rest. I have experienced burnout firsthand, and have learned to either tackle it head-on or listen to my body before it forces me to.

Before entering Baltimore’s nonprofit sector, I worked as an emergency room nurse technician, where I learned the art of triage. This valuable skill will come in handy as I embark on my new role as a full-time reporter. I plan to prioritize my workflow, ensuring that the most pressing and impactful stories — particularly those affecting marginalized communities — are given the attention they deserve. I believe that my ability to assess the stories that need to be told will add a unique and rich finish to the existing fabric of stories that Technical.ly already tells so beautifully. By prioritizing self-care and mindfulness, I aim to bring a sense of color, depth and vitality to my journalistic style.

Fun fact: I am also a poet, so you may feel that influence in my writing as well.

What’s exciting to you about the topics Technical.ly covers? What questions are you hoping to answer in your work here?

Do you want to know a secret that I shared with Technical.ly’s CEO Christopher Wink during my interview process? Well, here it is: Despite my passion for entrepreneurship, I was not initially drawn to writing about technology. The reason behind this is that my writing process is heavily influenced by my emotions and the people I connect with. For a long time, I found it hard to relate to the tech stories being published in various publications. That was until I met Stephen Babcock, Technical.ly’s former assistant editor and lead reporter.

I first met Stephen at a coworking space in Baltimore, where I was struck by his dedication to covering local events and speaking with entrepreneurs and change makers on a daily basis. This was my first introduction to the diversity of Technical.ly’s coverage and I was immediately impressed. I realized technology was not just about Steve Jobs, Silicon Valley and E3; it was about the hyperlocal, inspiring and diverse stories of the people I could connect with. Stephen was approachable and relatable, and this inspired me to ask the question, “How can journalism shift toward a model where community members, entrepreneurs and change makers like myself turn into journalists?” Who better to tell our own stories than us, and who better to tell your stories than someone who has seen the work firsthand?

As a Black woman in Baltimore City, I am particularly excited to explore workplace practices and the impact of microaggressions, unfair pay, emotional labor and entrepreneurship barriers on Black women. By shining a light on these injustices, we can work toward addressing them and creating meaningful change.

Lastly, what are your favorite spots in Baltimore?

As a lover of live experiences, I enjoy concerts with impressive lighting and set design as well as casual evenings with friends at bars in Fells Point, enjoying good blues music and gin. Some of my favorite spots in Baltimore include Wet City Brewing, Bar 1801, Bloom’s inside Hotel Ulysses and dive bars like Mount Royal Tavern — affectionately known as “The Dirt Church.” I’m also a big fan of brunch and Swill Apothecafé by Blacksmiths is currently one of my top picks.

Like many foodies, I’ll try anything recommended by Charm City Table, Cousin Kim or The Charm City Maven. I also enjoy coworking with friends and new people and often get my writing done at R. House or Whitehall Mill. I hope to travel more in the future and discover new favorite places, so maybe Penn Station will be my new favorite place.

When I’m not dressed in my “mother of two” uniform, I have a passion for fashion and love to support local makers, designers and small businesses. During the summer, I spend much of my time between the Druid Hill Park Aquatic Center and The Sagamore Pendry Pool. If you see me with headphones on, I’m probably listening to R&B. Although not in Baltimore, I also have a love for Rehoboth Beach, Delaware and visit with my family every year during the early spring off-season.