Editor-in-Chief Debbie Michaud is leaving CL and we’re bummed

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“I have loved having the opportunity to work for such a vital publication in one of the greatest cities on the planet,” she says. “But most of all I feel honored to have met and worked with some of greatest people ever, many of whom I’m lucky enough to count as friends.”

Michaud’s history with CL began with an editorial internship in 2003, when the publication was located on Willoughby Way in the Old Fourth Ward. She joined the staff in 2006 as events editor and rose through the ranks as arts and culture editor and senior editor. She was named editor in chief in 2012.

Born in Massachusetts and reared in Connecticut, Michaud moved to metro Atlanta as a child, attended the University of Georgia, and save for a year in France, has been rooted in the city ever since. She knows Atlanta, which was evident when she wrote a column after being named editor that succinctly summed up how the city is just the right size for someone to make a dent.

Michaud’s tenure as editor in chief produced focused work on the highs and lows of Atlanta, and sometimes Georgia, and an intense effort to shine a spotlight on social justice. By our count, CL has been named a finalist for more than 15 Association of Alternative Newsmedia awards since she took the helm. We’ve also snagged awards from the Atlanta Press Club and the Association of Food Journalists under her leadership.

Michaud says she is most proud of the work the staff has produced together, including the “encyclopedic look at OutKast’s Atlanta in ‘Straight Outta Stankonia’ to in-depth coverage of police killings, protests, and the local Black Lives Matter Movement to fostering intelligent conversations about development and all the physical and cultural change Atlanta is experiencing.”

She also reminded staff to celebrate what makes Atlanta great — its neighborhoods, artists, and all-around wackiness. Michaud championed diversity and always asked if we were doing enough to cover issues affecting women and children.

So it makes sense that she’s heading to a nonprofit that, in trying to reduce poverty, works to empower women and children. In mid-October, Michaud will help create and execute CARE’s digital content strategy. Plus, she’s got the good fortune of working with former CL-er Andisheh Nouraee, who is CARE’s director of digital engagement. 

“There’s so much local knowledge crammed into the brilliant, talented minds of everyone here, especially longtime staffers like Chad Radford, Rodney Carmichael, and you, Thomas, that I know Creative Loafing will keep on writing critical, poetic, fun, and necessary stories about Atlanta,” she says. “As for me, after 10 years at Creative Loafing I’m ready to make my next move. While I’ll miss the work and the people here, the chance to work with CARE is an incredible opportunity and feels like the right step for me.”

Even though her new office is just a few blocks away, we’ll miss her. She’s been a supportive boss and manager who always carved out time to listen and had a good way of helping a writer who was lost in a story. As news editor, I’ve been thrilled with the direction she took the paper. As a friend, I’m sad I won’t be able to peer over our shared desk divider and gossip about the city. But we’re all happy for her.

I’ll be serving as interim editor in chief until Michaud’s successor is named so send me your angry emails.