David Dexter
@dwdex.bsky.social
Baltimorean. Jigsaw puzzler. O's fan. 2x cats (they hate each other)
Pinned
David Dexter
@dwdex.bsky.social
· Dec 29
For Brandi. The Revival Lab was @brandicd.bsky.social's dream and it launches now.
youtu.be/KKkdfYw_NaI?...
youtu.be/KKkdfYw_NaI?...
Brandi Collins-Dexter: A Tribute
YouTube video by The Revival Lab
youtu.be
Today, I'm proud to announce the launch of The Revival Lab. It was Brandi’s dream, and though she isn't here to celebrate, I know we will create something she'd be proud of.
Reposted by David Dexter
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
February 4, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My story on Elon Musk cutting safeguards at xAI is on the front page of today's @washingtonpost.com. I’m also among 100’s of reporters laid off. I absolutely loved my job my brilliant coworkers & the thrill of reporting @ the center of forces upending the world: AI & Silicon Valley’s political power
Reposted by David Dexter
"Now is the time to go back out into the world and resume rewriting the script."
Our 2025 Parker Award recipient Brandi Collins-Dexter spent her life fighting for media that serves all of us.
@revivallab.bsky.social — her final project — will carry that work forward.
Our 2025 Parker Award recipient Brandi Collins-Dexter spent her life fighting for media that serves all of us.
@revivallab.bsky.social — her final project — will carry that work forward.
Brandi's Dream
Brandi Collins-Dexter didn’t take to public speaking naturally. She was an introvert, and early in her career, Brandi used to workshop press quotes and speeches with me. I cherished those moments and…
buff.ly
January 29, 2026 at 9:09 PM
"Now is the time to go back out into the world and resume rewriting the script."
Our 2025 Parker Award recipient Brandi Collins-Dexter spent her life fighting for media that serves all of us.
@revivallab.bsky.social — her final project — will carry that work forward.
Our 2025 Parker Award recipient Brandi Collins-Dexter spent her life fighting for media that serves all of us.
@revivallab.bsky.social — her final project — will carry that work forward.
Reposted by David Dexter
”For decades, media consolidation has been the silent war waged on Black communities. When people try that hard to steal your voice, we all ought to be worried.”
This and so much of Brandi Collins-Dexter's brilliance, lifted up in this essay by @josephtorr.bsky.social for @revivallab.bsky.social
This and so much of Brandi Collins-Dexter's brilliance, lifted up in this essay by @josephtorr.bsky.social for @revivallab.bsky.social
Thank you @revivallab.bsky.social (Revival Lab) for the honor in allowing me to write this column about my friend, the late Brandi Collins-Dexter, and the impact she had on me and on the struggle for media justice.
Media, Power, and My Friend Brandi
By Joseph Torres
The violent attacks the Department of Homeland Security has unleashed on our streets have left me reflecting on the work of my friend, Brandi Collins-Dexter, in an effort to make sen...
www.therevivallab.org
January 29, 2026 at 6:48 PM
”For decades, media consolidation has been the silent war waged on Black communities. When people try that hard to steal your voice, we all ought to be worried.”
This and so much of Brandi Collins-Dexter's brilliance, lifted up in this essay by @josephtorr.bsky.social for @revivallab.bsky.social
This and so much of Brandi Collins-Dexter's brilliance, lifted up in this essay by @josephtorr.bsky.social for @revivallab.bsky.social
Reposted by David Dexter
Thank you @revivallab.bsky.social (Revival Lab) for the honor in allowing me to write this column about my friend, the late Brandi Collins-Dexter, and the impact she had on me and on the struggle for media justice.
Media, Power, and My Friend Brandi
By Joseph Torres
The violent attacks the Department of Homeland Security has unleashed on our streets have left me reflecting on the work of my friend, Brandi Collins-Dexter, in an effort to make sen...
www.therevivallab.org
January 29, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Thank you @revivallab.bsky.social (Revival Lab) for the honor in allowing me to write this column about my friend, the late Brandi Collins-Dexter, and the impact she had on me and on the struggle for media justice.
Reposted by David Dexter
Free Press reflects on the work of Brandi Collins-Dexter.
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
February 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Free Press reflects on the work of Brandi Collins-Dexter.
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
Reposted by David Dexter
Thank you to @freepress.bsky.social and @josephtorr.bsky.social for helping spread the word about The Revival Lab and the work of Brandi Collins-Dexter. We're working to build something she'd be proud of.
Free Press reflects on the work of Brandi Collins-Dexter.
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
@revivallab.bsky.social is Brandi's brainchild: A research and storytelling initiative demanding information justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
@josephtorr.bsky.social writes on her legacy: www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
February 3, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Thank you to @freepress.bsky.social and @josephtorr.bsky.social for helping spread the word about The Revival Lab and the work of Brandi Collins-Dexter. We're working to build something she'd be proud of.
Reposted by David Dexter
A massive, blocks-long march protesting immigration enforcement and broader anti-immigrant policies heads away from its start at the Federal Building in Tucson, Arizona.
January 30, 2026 at 10:17 PM
A massive, blocks-long march protesting immigration enforcement and broader anti-immigrant policies heads away from its start at the Federal Building in Tucson, Arizona.
Reposted by David Dexter
"I've got kids, I'm out here for them...The only way we can do this is through this kind of collective action. This is what punk rock trained us for!" -Protester tells Tina-Desiree Berg at the Minneapolis general strike march against ICE
January 30, 2026 at 10:14 PM
"I've got kids, I'm out here for them...The only way we can do this is through this kind of collective action. This is what punk rock trained us for!" -Protester tells Tina-Desiree Berg at the Minneapolis general strike march against ICE
Reposted by David Dexter
I think the key that unlocks Dan was his desire to share the things he loved with other people. Wouldn’t be the worst way to honor him if we make the effort to do that for the things we love, too. defector.com/dan-mcquade-...
Dan McQuade, 1983–2026 | Defector
Dan McQuade, our friend and colleague, died this week at the age of 43. He is survived by his wife and young son. At the end of 2024, Dan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. The news of his diag...
defector.com
January 29, 2026 at 3:06 AM
I think the key that unlocks Dan was his desire to share the things he loved with other people. Wouldn’t be the worst way to honor him if we make the effort to do that for the things we love, too. defector.com/dan-mcquade-...
Reposted by David Dexter
Rest in peace to one of the great bloggers and the de facto mayor of Philadelphia. It was my honor and pleasure to work with him. defector.com/dan-mcquade-...
Dan McQuade, 1983–2026 | Defector
Dan McQuade, our friend and colleague, died this week at the age of 43. He is survived by his wife and young son. At the end of 2024, Dan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. The news of his diag...
defector.com
January 29, 2026 at 12:56 AM
Rest in peace to one of the great bloggers and the de facto mayor of Philadelphia. It was my honor and pleasure to work with him. defector.com/dan-mcquade-...
Reposted by David Dexter
Also be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter so you can get additional content like staff recs of articles, podcasts, videos and other timely analysis at the intersection of media, race, and tech.
www.therevivallab.org#/portal
www.therevivallab.org#/portal
The Revival Lab
The Revival Lab is grounded in community and responsive to reality. We offer solutions and analysis at the intersection of media, tech, and democracy.
www.therevivallab.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Also be sure to sign up for our free email newsletter so you can get additional content like staff recs of articles, podcasts, videos and other timely analysis at the intersection of media, race, and tech.
www.therevivallab.org#/portal
www.therevivallab.org#/portal
Reposted by David Dexter
"As the decisions of powerful media and tech owners continue to shape our political and cultural understanding of whose lives are deemed worthy and whose are not, I’m reminded of how Brandi repeatedly discussed how media and online misinformation harm Black people." - @josephtorr.bsky.social
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 PM
"As the decisions of powerful media and tech owners continue to shape our political and cultural understanding of whose lives are deemed worthy and whose are not, I’m reminded of how Brandi repeatedly discussed how media and online misinformation harm Black people." - @josephtorr.bsky.social
Reposted by David Dexter
The latest edition of The Revival Letter is out! In it, the great @josephtorr.bsky.social shares his thoughts on media, power, and the enduring legacy of his friend Brandi Collins-Dexter www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
Media, Power, and My Friend Brandi
By Joseph Torres
The violent attacks the Department of Homeland Security has unleashed on our streets have left me reflecting on the work of my friend, Brandi Collins-Dexter, in an effort to make sen...
www.therevivallab.org
January 28, 2026 at 10:07 PM
The latest edition of The Revival Letter is out! In it, the great @josephtorr.bsky.social shares his thoughts on media, power, and the enduring legacy of his friend Brandi Collins-Dexter www.therevivallab.org/media-power-...
Reposted by David Dexter
Issue 76 of Baltimore Beat is live! Our cover was shot by Christian Thomas.
January 28, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Issue 76 of Baltimore Beat is live! Our cover was shot by Christian Thomas.
Reposted by David Dexter
I wrote a bit in my latest letter from the editor about link between the violence we are seeing from ICE and the continued violence Black people endure from the police. baltimorebeat.com/letter-from-...
Letter from the editor - Issue 75
We are not living in peaceful times. As we wrapped up this issue, many people took to the streets here in Baltimore and beyond to express grief and outrage over the death of Renee Good. Good, 37, was ...
baltimorebeat.com
January 24, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I wrote a bit in my latest letter from the editor about link between the violence we are seeing from ICE and the continued violence Black people endure from the police. baltimorebeat.com/letter-from-...
Reposted by David Dexter
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
January 23, 2026 at 8:16 PM
It’s -9 degrees. Downtown Minneapolis is packed for the anti-ICE rally and the crowd keeps growing
Reposted by David Dexter
Update: The ACCESS grant request for applications has been extended to January 28.
This comes a week after sources told @filtermag.bsky.social that the initial deadline, which gave little time for organizations to adjust their language to align with new state guidance, was "absurd."
This comes a week after sources told @filtermag.bsky.social that the initial deadline, which gave little time for organizations to adjust their language to align with new state guidance, was "absurd."
Maryland health dept. has cut all mention of “harm reduction” from its flagship program funding orgs that care for PWUD.
It's "taking [federal guidance] to an extreme,” one expert tells
@loganhullinger.bsky.social . “I think these are unspoken messages about leadership’s opinion.”
It's "taking [federal guidance] to an extreme,” one expert tells
@loganhullinger.bsky.social . “I think these are unspoken messages about leadership’s opinion.”
Maryland Scrubs the Term "Harm Reduction" From Key Grant Program - Filter
The Maryland Department of Health has scrubbed any mention of “harm reduction” from the state’s leading grant program for organizations ...
filtermag.org
January 21, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Update: The ACCESS grant request for applications has been extended to January 28.
This comes a week after sources told @filtermag.bsky.social that the initial deadline, which gave little time for organizations to adjust their language to align with new state guidance, was "absurd."
This comes a week after sources told @filtermag.bsky.social that the initial deadline, which gave little time for organizations to adjust their language to align with new state guidance, was "absurd."
Reposted by David Dexter
1/ On the one year anniversary of Trump's inauguration, a new vision for American power is taking shape—one organized in part around AI supremacy and control of critical minerals. My latest on the State Department’s "Pax Silica" initiative, the pursuit of Greenland, and Trump’s imperial ambitions:
‘Pax Silica’ and Pursuit of Greenland Give Shape to Trump’s Imperial AI Ambitions
Trump's efforts to secure critical minerals are part of what experts regard as more nakedly imperialist US foreign and industrial policies.
www.techpolicy.press
January 20, 2026 at 6:04 PM
1/ On the one year anniversary of Trump's inauguration, a new vision for American power is taking shape—one organized in part around AI supremacy and control of critical minerals. My latest on the State Department’s "Pax Silica" initiative, the pursuit of Greenland, and Trump’s imperial ambitions:
Brandi was so excited to give this speech because she could talk about pro wrestling and even got to pick her entrance music. These words will forever inspire me and all the work we do at @revivallab.bsky.social
The second issue of The Revival Letter features the words of our founder, the late @brandicd.bsky.social, who started The Revival Lab with the hope of building a better world than the one we live in now.
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
Brandi's Dream
Brandi Collins-Dexter didn’t take to public speaking naturally. She was an introvert, and early in her career, Brandi used to workshop press quotes and speeches with me. I cherished those moments and ...
www.therevivallab.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:59 PM
Brandi was so excited to give this speech because she could talk about pro wrestling and even got to pick her entrance music. These words will forever inspire me and all the work we do at @revivallab.bsky.social
Reposted by David Dexter
"We hold in us the freedom to be time travelers, shapeshifters, and border-hoppers, building on the dreams of those who came before us." - Brandi Collins-Dexter (@brandicd.bsky.social)
January 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
"We hold in us the freedom to be time travelers, shapeshifters, and border-hoppers, building on the dreams of those who came before us." - Brandi Collins-Dexter (@brandicd.bsky.social)
Reposted by David Dexter
This is the second and final post in our Welcome Series. Sign up now and in two weeks you'll get the original writing and analysis you can expect from The Revival Letter going forward. www.therevivallab.org#/portal
The Revival Lab
The Revival Lab is grounded in community and responsive to reality. We offer solutions and analysis at the intersection of media, tech, and democracy.
www.therevivallab.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
This is the second and final post in our Welcome Series. Sign up now and in two weeks you'll get the original writing and analysis you can expect from The Revival Letter going forward. www.therevivallab.org#/portal
Reposted by David Dexter
The second issue of The Revival Letter features the words of our founder, the late @brandicd.bsky.social, who started The Revival Lab with the hope of building a better world than the one we live in now.
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
Brandi's Dream
Brandi Collins-Dexter didn’t take to public speaking naturally. She was an introvert, and early in her career, Brandi used to workshop press quotes and speeches with me. I cherished those moments and ...
www.therevivallab.org
January 14, 2026 at 2:56 PM
The second issue of The Revival Letter features the words of our founder, the late @brandicd.bsky.social, who started The Revival Lab with the hope of building a better world than the one we live in now.
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
www.therevivallab.org/brandis-dream/
Reposted by David Dexter
Baltimore is beautiful and full of "Wow. I love this city" moments. Visit Baltimore asked me and other folks who love Charm City to share ours for their inspiring new campaign called "The B-Side." 💿
✨Link in comments✨
✨Link in comments✨
January 13, 2026 at 3:06 PM
Baltimore is beautiful and full of "Wow. I love this city" moments. Visit Baltimore asked me and other folks who love Charm City to share ours for their inspiring new campaign called "The B-Side." 💿
✨Link in comments✨
✨Link in comments✨
Reposted by David Dexter
"On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns."
Renee Macklin Good's wife, Becca Good, released a statement and it moved me to sobbing tears:
archive.is/ur35j
archive.is/ur35j
January 9, 2026 at 5:43 PM
"On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns."
Reposted by David Dexter
It was big news when Trump took over the Kennedy Center. But for some Black Washingtonians, it's even bigger news that he's taking over D.C.'s public golf courses – including the Langston Golf Course in Northeast, a historic course for Black golfers. In @51st.news: 51st.news/trump-take-o...
Trump may take over D.C.’s golf courses. Black golfers are especially worried.
The fate of D.C.’s three public golf courses is now uncertain.
51st.news
January 8, 2026 at 5:44 PM
It was big news when Trump took over the Kennedy Center. But for some Black Washingtonians, it's even bigger news that he's taking over D.C.'s public golf courses – including the Langston Golf Course in Northeast, a historic course for Black golfers. In @51st.news: 51st.news/trump-take-o...