ABOUT

“NEVER LOSE THE DESIRE TO CREATE” – Chandra Alilijah

Our blog is a safe haven for fashion lovers, lifestyle gurus, small business owners and unique individuals seeking a space to learn, gain and grow.

This blog was created to build my writing and portfolio as a journalism student. Over time, it has grown beyond its true potential.

Who is Chandra Alilijah?

Chandra Alilijah – a forever journalist with a passion for fashion, lifestyle, business and creativity.

The creative.

A woman of many talents with one goal: to create.

Born and raised in Detroit, always creating. Rather, it was DIY craft projects, learning to sew or writing fan fictions on Wattpad and Miss Literati to even now developing my first business- I am always creating!

My journalism journey began at Renaissance High School in 2015, when I started writing mini-articles about school life, featuring my classmates. I fell in love with the process of journalism. The coming up with story ideas, interviewing, taking pictures and putting it all together at the end. It was like a new art project, just with more structure.

That journey expanded to Michigan State University, where I studied journalism with a minor in broadcast and concentration in writing and reporting. I expanded those skills by working for the student-run newspaper The State News for over two years.

After graduating, I began working at The Detroit Free Press, covering breaking news.

Writing has always been an important part of my life since elementary school; it’s my hobby, my profession and my thing. I love writing; it’s everything for me. I love all forms of it, whether it’s creative, fiction or news.

However, my creativity couldn’t just stop at writing.

I developed a need to unleash my creativity. So, I birthed DiaryofChan and 6:23 Detroit Shop.

Small Business – 6:23 Detroit Shop

6:23 Detroit Shop is my stationery and baked goods business that sells notebooks, tote bags, t-shirts, keychains, bookmarks, while also serving delicious goods like cookies, cupcakes and brownies.

Currently, I participate in local pop-up markets to showcase my brand and develop its community.

This beauty was born with the idea to expand my love for baking, and designing with a brand that’s groovy, unique and new to Detroit that holds my flair and passion.

Content Creator Journey- DiaryofChan

When I am not writing, or being a small business owner- I’m developing digital content through multiple social media channels.

I created DiaryofChan to start showcasing my love for fashion, creativity and lifestyle bits through interactive media.

With my journalism background, I knew how to create captions, shoot and edit videos and connect with brands and businesses.

My social media content expresses my love for fashion through get-ready-with-me style videos, creatively developing campaigns with brands and building community through networking and collaboration.

During my journey, I’ve had the opportunity to create content with multiple brands and organizations, like Poppi, Good Molecules, JustFab, OLIPOP, Michigan Fashion Week, Indie Fashion and The ReVamp Detroit.

Professional Work – Journalist and Social Media

City of Detroit – Digital Media Specialist: Aug. – Dec. 2024

Content creator meets the city government’s social media channels.

During my time at the City of Detroit, I developed trendy, intriguing content that covered Detroit’s mayor, policies, events, sports teams and culture.

I helped develop a TikTok page from scratch by campaign planning, brainstorming creative ideas, content creation and analyzing performance.

Check out some of my work below:

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdyJxF/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdfUD9/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6Rd5AXQ/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6Rd5VDY/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdSgAr/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdS2Do/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdUXhu/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdQaRk/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6Rd9Gja/
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6RdhVu9/

Detroit Free Press – Breaking News Intern : May 2022 – May 2023

Tackling the breaking news of Detroit.

From business grand openings to fashion shows to crime, my time at the Detroit Free Press was an opportunity for me to grow my skills, enhance my writing and develop a better sense of Detroit and its growing community.

https://www.freep.com/staff/9891827002/chandra-fleming/

Check out some of my work below:

Broadcast Demo Reel – 2018-2022

Showcasing my skills as a student reporter at MSU.

Detour Detroit – Writer Intern: May 2021 – Aug. 2021

Covering local leaders making change in Detroit.

During my time at Detour Detroit, which is now Outlier Media, I served as an intern tackling their “Find Your People” campaign.

The “Find Your People” campaign served as an outlet to showcase leaders in Detroit making strides in their community, whether it was influencing the community with festivals, food or new developments.

Check out some of my work below:

The Great Divine Center supports Detroit momsâ€™ health — inside and out

With Detroit Father, Damarqio Williams celebrates and connects Black fathers

At Detroitâ€™s Sidewalk Festival, art springs out of vacant lots and parks

The State News: Jan. 2019 – Dec. 2021

The State News, a student-led newspaper at MSU, became my safe haven in journalism.

I became a Snewers during my freshman year of college. It was my first on-campus job and will forever be my favorite part of college!

The State News was a powerful tool and space for me to grow as a writer, editor and video producer.

Multimedia Editor: Sept. – Dec. 2021

Becoming an editor at the State News was a dream! I was able to learn so much about my leadership skills, develop a team and grow as a creator.

Check out some of my work below:

MSU vs. Toledo Basketball Game : Dec. 4 , 2021

MSU vs. Western Kentucky Homecoming Game : Oct. 2, 2021

Podcast Coordinator: Jan. – May 2021

As podcast coordinator, I learned the ropes of audio editing using platforms like Adobe Audition.

I was the script-writer, host and editor for three podcasts that highlighted MSU sports, culture and politics.

Check out some of my work below:

Videographer: Jan. – May 2020

Before COVID-19 ripped us away from campus, I began developing my video skills by creating packages of event coverage, stand-ups and feature interviews.

Check out some of my work below:

I created this video during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included a FaceTime interview merged into a video file.

This COVID-19 Animoto video focuses on how information regarding the virus is spread. This video was created using stock images from The State News.

Feature Reporter Jan. 2019 – Jan. 2020

My first position at The State News allowed me to step out of my comfort zone by embracing the true elements of a journalist by getting my feet on the ground, going out to scenes, conducting interviews, hitting tight deadlines and growing as a young writer.

Check out some of my work below:

https://statenews.com/article/2019/12/msu-alumna-competing-for-miss-international-next-summer?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest
https://statenews.com/article/2019/11/q-a-diversity-in-msu-students-fashion?ct=content_open&cv=cbox_latest
https://statenews.com/article/2019/02/column-is-detroit-as-bad-as-they-say-it-is
https://statenews.com/article/2019/10/mikayla-frick-is-showcasing-her-talents-one-stitch-at-a-time

Spartan Newsroom: Feb. 2020 – Dec. 2021

Spartan Newsroom allowed me to grow as a student journalist with the help of my professors.

With more political and feature-based writing, Spartan Newsroom helped develop my hard news skills by allowing me to cover subjects like voting and women’s rights.

I also helped create a source log that focused on making sure students covered all diverse voices in their reporting to make sure that all voices were being heard on campus.

https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2020/02/east-lansing-reacts-to-an-election-year-presidents-day/
https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2020/04/moms-talk-about-homeschooling-their-children/
https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2020/02/w-e-b-du-bois-student-society-to-host-black-excellence-celebration/

Focal Point News – Fall 2021

Focal Point News is a class at MSU that creates its own student-produced news show.

Before, I packed up and left campus for a final goodbye. I received hands-on experience as a news anchor, creating scripts, packages, and VOSOTS with Focal Point News.

Check out some of my work below: