WDIV Reporter’s Live, Unscripted 24 Hours From Detroit Neighborhood Is Exceptional-FREE READ

By Paul Greeley, 817-578-6324, Paul@NewsBlues.com

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At 6 o’clock in the morning on Monday, June 3, Karen Drew, an anchor/reporter for WDIV, Graham Media’s NBC affiliate in Detroit, was doing a live shot in the kitchen of a Highland Park resident as she was making breakfast for her kids.

“While you cook, we can chit-chat,” Drew says.

It was the first stop of Drew’s 24-hour live coverage from Highland Park, a city within the city of Detroit. Drew’s coverage was unscripted, unedited, unfiltered, a first of its kind event for local TV.

Drew did a live report in every newscast from 6 in the morning until 11 at night, plus two more the following day for broadcast.

In addition to doing a live shot on broadcast, she was live for the streaming audience.

WDIV television viewers could watch her live during any of the station’s newscasts that day and streamers could follow on ClickOnDetroit.com and WDIV’s Local 4+ streaming app.

“My live shots on streaming were anywhere from five to 25 minutes long,” Drew says. “My first live shot was 21 minutes, and my producer was like, oh my gosh, this is awesome.”

Three cameras provided live continuous streaming coverage and four different camera people were needed throughout the non-stop 24 hours.

The event was a collaboration between WDIV and the Michigan Chronicle, a weekly African American newspaper based in Detroit.

Why spend 24 hours in Highland Park, a forgotten neighborhood whose streets are dark because the electric company removed 1,400 streetlights because the city was unable to pay its light bill.

“I don’t think I would have done this in any other place,” Drew says. “It all started with Mama Shu.”

Shamayim “Mama Shu” Harris, founded Avalon Village, a sustainable eco-village in Highland Park after her two-year old son, Jakobi, was killed in a hit and run accident in 2007. In 2021, her 23-year-old son, Chinyelu, was shot and killed while doing a neighborhood watch.

Drew says she’s been covering the accomplishments of Mama Shu and what she’s done in Highland Park for 10 years.

So, when Drew heard Harris was named as one of CNN’s top 10 heroes, she got an idea.

“I can interview her and do a minute and half story and call it a day or how about I tell her story through the families whose lives have changed and improved by the things Mama Shu has done,” Drew says.

Drew’s idea was to make the story gathering process an event, a 24-hour event.

Drew says they partnered with the Michigan Chronicle which provided some perspective, connections and content.

Drew wanted to let the viewer go along for the ride, bumpy camera and all.

“You do it in an informal way, you’re real and authentic, and they’ll trust you more because they know nothing’s edited,” Drew says.

During the 24 hours, Drew talked with residents, developers, business owners, teachers, youth organizers, security staff, city officials, the Highland Park mayor and the police chief at 4 in the morning.

The topics of conversation ranged from crime and safety to residential development, from community gardens to programs for kids, from Highland Park’s past to its challenges going forward.

And of course, Drew talked to “Mama Shu” about losing her two sons, her accomplishments in Highland Park and her hopes for the future.

Drew says the idea of the 24 hours of live coverage from Highland Park had the backing of WDIV’s general manager, Bob Ellis.

“He always uses this sentence, fail forward,” Drew says. “He says take a chance, let’s see how it turns out.”

Drew feels like the station’s commitment uplifted the community of Highland Park.

“It’s brought more trust, more story ideas, and they know now, I’m not leaving,” she says.

“I’m coming back with an hour special, I’m bringing lawmakers, and we’re going to see what we can do to help this community and bring some results.”

WDIV is airing a special about Highland Park followed by a towen hall meeting on Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m.

CLICK HERE to see a webpage about why Karen Drew is spending 24 hours in Highland Park.

Here are some Facebook comments from Karen Drew’s page:

“Ms. Karen Drew, Thank you and NBC Detroit channel 4 for showcasing some very Compassionate, Inspirational, Positive, Uplfting Citizens of Highland Park. So many Good People and their Wonderful Deeds who are routinely and unfortunately always overlooked.” Todd

“You do a excellent job at reporting. This was a great story.” Jean

“This was such a well done story. KAREN YOU BLEW THIS AWAY…LOVE THE PICTURES.” Meg

“At the end of 25 hours, you were as fresh as a daisy! Your passion, caring attitude and ability to connect to people is appreciated and I look forward to the town hall in a few weeks. Wonderful job!” Cynthia

“Karen, you did an amazing job! I felt as if I was right by your side listening to the wonderful stories. Again, thank you for always going 1000% whenever and whatever you report.” Rosita

“I LOVE that you take on these ground breaking ideas for local coverage. Far and away ahead of the other stations in Detroit.  Those of us who watch your channel do so because it exceeds the other channels we have the option to watch.” Marcia

“I love how you are always smiling and bringing out the best in everyone!! Keep doing what you’re doing!! We will keep watching!!” Renee