Contributors

At Pollen, we want to stretch and redefine how modern stories are told. How do we do it? By using up-and-coming forms of multi-media, enhancing stories with breathtaking visuals, and frankly asking questions that other publications eschew. We aim to narrow in on the intricate realities of the world that surrounds us. To do this, we depend on a robust, diverse team of the most talented writers, artists, and editors.  
Our Pay Structure

It’s pivotal to us that Pollen pay contributors fairly for their work, and to appropriately reward the collaborators that help bring our stories to life. To develop our pay structure, we took the time to listen to the opinions and grievances of creatives in our community, and then devised a system that makes creating with us truly worth your time. But we don’t think the work is done yet: as Pollen continues to grow, we’ll continue to listen to the creative community and grow along with it. To learn more about pay rates for different levels of creative contribution, please inquire at:
hello@pollenmidwest.org

Our Contracts

When you agree to generate creative content for Pollen, you enter into our contract. This was created with the help of Friedman Iverson, and aims to be fair and just. Our contracts are structured to protect the contributors we work with and to also make sure that our process, payment, and timelines are transparent. We are continually learning how to improve the process of working with freelancers and know the contract is one of the most important puzzle pieces. Help us learn and grow—we’re always looking for feedback.

Our Process

At Pollen, we believe in taking time to tell a story right. We seek to step away from the fast, faster, fastest content schedules of the Internet and create something bigger than bite-sized, snackable blog posts. With us, you’ll get the time and resources to create a story in a way that does its subject matter justice. Story creation is a collaborative process between Pollen producers and creatives. Not every piece of editorial is led by a writer, but instead an entire team of creatives working closely with a producer. Why? Because we believe the best stories are as multidimensional as the people who helped put them together.

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    Emory Allen
    Illustrator
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    Kprecia Ambers
    Illustrator
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    Lara Avery
    Writer
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    Bev Bachel
    Writer
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    Taylor Baldry
    Illustrator
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    Kristina Barker
    Photographer
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    Leslie Barlow
    Artist
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    Maya Beck
    Writer
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    Jeremiah Bey
    Artist
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    Victoria Blanco
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    Kahlil Brewington
    Designer
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    DA Bullock
    Cinematographer
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    Lilli Carré
    Illustrator
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    Jazzmyn Coker
    Illustrator
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    Patricio DeLara
    Illustrator
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    Benjamin Currie
    Illustrator
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    Valerie Déus
    Writer
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    Nyemadi Louise Dunbar
    Photographer + Storyteller
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    Wes Eisenhauer
    Photographer
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    Claire Kat Erickson
    Artist
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    Ashley Fairbanks
    Artist
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    Rita Farmer
    Artist
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    Bill Ferenc
    Illustrator
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    Diane Fittipaldi
    Writer
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    Venessa Fuentes
    Writer
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    Chavah Gabrielle
    Literary + Performance Artist
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    Adja Gildersleve
    Filmaker + Photographer
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    Andres Guzman
    Illustrator
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    Jordan Hamilton
    Artist
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    Holly Harrison
    Writer
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    Dyani White Hawk
    Artist
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    Carolyn Holbrook
    Writer
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    Olivia Levins Holden
    Artist
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    Jon Hunt
    Designer
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    Matt Hunt
    Writer
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    Mitra Jalali
    Writer + Organizer
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    Andrea Jenkins
    Writer
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    Ruthie Johnson
    Trainer
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    Eliesa Johnson
    Photographer
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    Marie Ketring
    Photographer
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    Kate Downing Khaled
    Writer
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    Michael Kleber-Diggs
    Writer
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    Jayanthi Kyle
    Musician
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    Rebecca Jean Lawrence
    Photographer
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    Allegra Lockstadt
    Illustrator
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    Genessis Lopez
    Illustrator
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    Leigh Luna
    Illustrator
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    Ry Macarayan
    Illustrator
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    Nicolle Mackinnon
    Production Editor
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    Ashley Mary
    Illustrator
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    David Maxwell
    Artist
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    Charles McGregor
    Game Designer
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    Marla Bonner
    Designer + Letterer
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    Neeraj Mehta
    Writer
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    Morgan Mercer
    Writer
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    Fatuma Mohamud
    Photographer
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    Aundria Sheppard Morgan
    Writer
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    Terresa Moses
    Designer + Illustrator
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    Karī Mugo
    Writer
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    Nancy Musinguzi
    Photographer
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    Meg Lionel Murphy
    Artist + Storyteller
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    Mónica Nadal
    Artist + Designer
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    Laura Nickel
    Photographer
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    Nicole Nfonoyim-Hara
    Writer
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    Lolla Nur
    Writer
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    James O Brien
    Illustrator
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    Kenzie O'Keefe
    Writer
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    Adaobi Okolue
    Writer
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    Josh Olson
    Photographer
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    Kevin O Meara
    Photographer
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    Evan Palmer
    Illustrator
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    Passenger Productions
    Film Production Company
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    Rose J. Percy
    Minister + Artist
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    Leanna Perry
    Illustrator
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    Junauda Petrus
    Writer
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    Nellie Pierce
    Artist
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    ANDY LEIGH R
    Illustrator
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    Anna Rajdl
    Photographer
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    Bill Rebholz
    Illustrator
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    Luisa Rivera
    Illustrator
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    Bobby Rogers
    Illustrator
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    Ryan Stopera
    Photographer
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    Julie Van Grol
    Illustrator
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    Angela Vang
    Writer
Additional Contributors

Spencer Amundson
Matt Beachey
Charlie Braman
Joe Braman
Nichelle Brunner
Mackenzie Bledsoe
Gina Culp
Lisa Dahlberg
Maleek Davis
Hlee Lee
Tanner Groehler
Mary Jo Schifsky
The BrandLab
Suzi Hunn
Clara Younge
Adam Perry
Nina Hernandez Beithon
Maddi Gonzalez
Kate-Madonna Hindes
Becca Knight
Sarah Lutman
Elise Maxwell
Isaac Ruder
Maggie Ryan Sandford
Gail Shore
Ivy Stammer
Laura Cederberg
Andy Sturdevant
Jim Toscano
Elissa Y. Schufman
Abby Bischoff
Stacey Millet
Karen Kodzik
Aaron Klemz
Amina Harper
Evva Kraikul
Stacy Ann Schwartz
Micheal Johnson
Paul Flessland
Leslie Johnson
Brooke Kupcho
Hannah Burchill
Anna Hardeman
Kate Madonna Hindes
Lee Hall
Chip Pedersen
Bridget Mendel
Chris Oien
Fotos For Barcelona
Ruth Zwick
Colleen Powers
Anna Min
Meher Khan
Bill Bushey
Richard Marshall