Alicia Moreland has been a Cleveland Documenter since 2021. She initially joined to earn extra income, and has become one of the Cleveland Documenters most consistent members.
Alicia Moreland has been a Cleveland Documenter since 2021. She initially joined to earn extra income, and has become one of the Cleveland Documenters most consistent members Credit: Alicia Moreland

Overview:

Since 2020, Cleveland Documenters have played a part in shaping the way citizens engage with local government. Documenters are residents who are trained and paid to take notes at local government meetings, creating a new form of public record. Meet members of the Cleveland Documenters community in our regular feature: Documenters community profiles.

Alicia Moreland initially became a Cleveland Documenter in order to earn some extra money. She eventually realized that there was much more in store for her. She sat down with Signal Cleveland to discuss her work, going viral and where she sees Documenters going next.

Good morning. What spurred you to become a Cleveland Documenter?

I joined around 2021. My stepmother saw a spot about it on TV. She told me about it because at that time I was looking for work. To be honest, I wasn’t interested in it from a civic perspective, it was just for the money. Then I realized one of my best friends was also documenting. I asked him about it, and it took me a while to begin taking assignments. I started to appreciate how it was changing me. I felt so much more connected to the city and city government. I started to look at it as a civic duty, and I felt really proud of the work. It gave me a lot of confidence.

What is a standout moment you’ve had while documenting?

I was covering a safety committee meeting where the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, Michael O’Malley, got into it with Cleveland City Council Member Stephanie Howse-Jones. I thought his treatment of her was inappropriate. I was live-tweeting this meeting, and I included a video of the exchange. The thread went viral on Twitter (X). I felt like my coverage of that meeting made a difference. It also made me re-think how I look at young people who are caught up in the criminal justice system. Since then, I started to be more involved. Now I come to the [Documenters] community of practice meetings regularly. I’m also in the process of creating merch designs for documenters. 

Moreland pictured with her good friend and fellow Cleveland Documenter, Dan McLaughlin.
Moreland with her good friend and fellow Cleveland Documenter, Dan McLaughlin. Credit: Alicia Moreland

Do you have a favorite meeting or committee that you enjoy documenting?

I like covering the Monday night [Cleveland] City Council meetings. I really enjoy listening to public comments. I enjoy the community police commission meetings or any meetings that involve police. I’ve always found those interesting.

What are some challenges you have faced since becoming a Documenter?

When I was live-tweeting, it was difficult to make sure things were accurate while trying to get it out immediately. With the notes, it’s always the time that I’m spending on them. I’m a perfectionist, so I’ve had to loosen up on that a little. I had to work on how I format the notes and decide what details were important to include versus what things I could leave out. I’ve gotten better over time with experience, but it has definitely been a learning curve.

What are some of your earliest memories of civic engagement?

I remember when George W. Bush was wanting to go to war with Iraq. My mom and I went to a protest against it. Honestly, protests and things like that always felt exhausting to me. I have always made sure that I vote in elections. Documenters is probably the most civically engaged I’ve been.

Throwback photo of Moreland from her college days.
Throwback photo of Moreland from her college days. Credit: Alicia Moreland

Where would you like to see Documenters go next?

If you want to be more involved in Documenters, how do we go beyond just taking assignments? That’s something we’ve been talking about at [Documenters Community of Practice] events. Having Documenters grow into roles where we are doing more than just documenting. Maybe we can have Documenters edit each other’s work before it’s submitted for final edits or conduct more interviews on behalf of Documenters. I do hope we have more opportunities to engage with officials during or after meetings. 

It would also be nice to get to know other Documenters. I really only know the ones that come to Community of Practice [Signal Cleveland hosts regular Community of Practice events at its offices on Euclid Avenue], but I know there are way more people than that.

Moreland has a passion for rescuing rabbits. She is a rabbit-mom and is working on a children's book about caring for rabbits properly.
Moreland has a passion for rescuing rabbits. She is a rabbit-mom and is working on a children’s book about caring for rabbits properly. Credit: Alicia Moreland

What are some of your hobbies?

I’m a bunny person. I do rabbit rescue work, I have a house rabbit. They bring me a lot of joy. I’m actually writing and illustrating a children’s book about not dumping your rabbits in the wild because they won’t survive. I’m almost done with it. I’m hoping it will come out next year.

What would be your elevator pitch to get someone to join Documenters?

For me it’s simple: It’s interesting work, it feels good to do it and the pay is good.

Community Reporter (he/him)
I work to gain the trust of Cleveland residents through direct community engagement and storytelling. My goal is to amplify and celebrate the residents and stakeholders who contribute to the success of city neighborhoods. I’m hoping to erase the negative stigma that has been cast on some neighborhoods throughout the years.