Beenish Ahmed | Michigan Radio
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Beenish Ahmed

Reporter, Detroit

Beenish Ahmed is one of Michigan Radio's Detroit-based reporters. Since 2016, she has been a reporter for WNYC Public Radio in New York and also a freelance journalist. Her stories have appeared on NPR, as well as in The New Yorker, Harper’s, The Atlantic, VICE and The Daily Beast. Additionally, Beenish spent two years in Islamabad, Pakistan, working with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, covering the country’s first democratic transition of power as well as Pakistan's education system.

Much of her reporting has focused on covering under-reported stories and adding nuance to major headlines. That included covering stories related to DACA and the #MeToo movement as well as reporting on the personal challenges Muslims in metro Detroit faced in taking a public stand against President Trump’s so-called “Muslim ban.”

She is a graduate of the University of Michigan and has a master’s degree from the University of Cambridge. She was also a Spencer Fellow at the Columbia School of Journalism in New York, and an NPR Kroc Fellow.

After nearly a year at home, learning how to do school safely in Dearborn

By • 12 hours ago
Beenish Ahmed / Michigan Radio

 

A group of second-graders walked to their classroom at William Ford Elementary School in Dearborn following flourescent arrows on the floor to guide them on how much distance to keep between one another. 

“Remember, as you're walking, you're looking down at the arrows and then you're getting too close,” Mariam Albachachy, a second grade teacher, tells her students as they make their way to their classroom after months of online learning. 

How the mistrust caused by the Flint water crisis is seeping into views of the COVID-19 vaccine

By • Feb 18, 2021
Beenish Ahmed / Michigan Radio

 


Detroit Health Department: Immigration enforcement will not take place at TCF vaccine clinic

By • Feb 7, 2021
a woman in scrubs puts on gloves in front of a car
Beenish Ahmed / Michigan Radio

Undocumented immigrants in Detroit who opt to get the COVID-19 vaccine at the TCF Center, which serves as the city’s main vaccination site, will not be targeted by immigration enforcement according to the Detroit Health Department. 

Michigan hits 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses — here are the highlights

By & • Feb 2, 2021
COURTESY OF SPECTRUM HEALTH

It's been seven weeks since the first COVID-19 vaccines were distributed in Michigan and, as of Monday, the state has now officially seen over one million shots in arms. 

 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services tracks its vaccine distributions in a dashboard that is updated throughout the week with metrics for first and second doses, doses by county, and more. 

 

As of Sunday, more than 200,000 people are now fully vaccinated. 

Former Kilpatrick deputy mayor announces bid for mayor of Detroit

By • Jan 26, 2021
Courtesy of Anthony Adams For Mayor

Anthony Adams, a former deputy mayor under Kwame Kilpatrick, announced on Tuesday that he will run for mayor of Detroit against incumbent Mike Duggan who is seeking a third term. 

 

In an announcement on Facebook Live, Adams listed off the local businesses he frequents — from shoe shiners to jazz clubs — and his record in public office, which includes serving as the Executive Assistant to Former Mayor Coleman Young and as President of the Detroit Public School Board. 

Watching Inauguration Day together, Michigan progressives see hope in Biden presidency

By • Jan 20, 2021
Courtesy of Sharon Buttry

As Joe Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States, a group of more than 40 people watched on through an online viewing party organized by the progressive organization Michigan People’s Campaign.

Some cheered at the end of his first speech as President of the United States, but for many others, the occasion felt heavy after a divisive election, a violent insurrection, and an ongoing public health crisis.

For some immigrants, the insurrection hit home

By • Jan 19, 2021
The US Capitol
Jonothan Colman / Flickr

 

The armed mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol building on January 6 shocked many Americans, including those who migrated to this country seeking refuge from instability and violence. 

Watching the insurrection on the news, a man who is seeking asylum in the U.S. from Togo said he saw in his mind, flashes of the violence that forced him to leave his home country.

Raising a mangled finger which he said is the result of torture at the hands of the government, the man, who is a resident of the Detroit-based nonprofit Freedom House and asked not to be named due to the ongoing nature of his asylum proceedings, said he never imagined that such violence could strike the United States. 

Drive-thru COVID-19 vaccinations begin at Detroit's TCF Center

By • Jan 14, 2021
a woman in scrubs puts on gloves in front of a car
Beenish Ahmed / Michigan Radio

Detroit launched its first major COVID-19 vaccination campaign on Wednesday at a drive-thru clinic set up in the garage of the TCF Center. City health officials made 400 appointments for Detroit seniors, teachers, and childcare providers.

“I'm an active person,” said Francena Dudely, an 87-year-old lifelong Detroiter, who was among those vaccinated. “I want to be able to get out a little bit and even if I still have to wear a mask, I will feel more comfortable.”