Michelle Darrisaw

Michelle Darrisaw started her editorial career nearly two decades ago, fact-checking and covering Atlanta’s thriving dining and culinary scene as a writer for JEZEBEL magazine. After moving to Alabama in 2011, she covered restaurants as a freelance writer for Tuscaloosa magazine. Later, she worked as a staff writer and editor for Birmingham-based publications Cooking Light and Southern Living. While there, she also regularly contributed to MyRecipes.com and served as a community manager and editorial coordinator for Cooking Light’s companion meal plan program, the Cooking Light Diet, where she engaged with subscribers, edited recipes for the meal plan, and published members’ success stories using the meal plan. Since moving to New York in 2018, Michelle has written entertainment and lifestyle content and produced and edited product recommendations for ESSENCE and Oprah Daily. Also, amid her experience is a brief merchandising stint at Crate & Barrel, where she learned everything there was to know about entertaining, from serveware and kitchen appliances to wine glasses and accessories.

During Michelle’s matriculation at Clark Atlanta University, she worked at regional publications such as JEZEBEL, Atlanta Sports & Fitness, and Pregnancy & Newborn magazines. She graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising. Later, she attended the University of Alabama, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism. She received a fellowship and worked as graduate research and teaching assistant in the journalism department. After completing a summer internship at The Anniston Star newspaper, where she, along with her classmates, was awarded first place in investigative reporting by the Alabama Associated Press Media Editors, she graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in journalism. She was also the recipient of the “Outstanding CommJ Student Award,” honoring the top student in the program.