Thank you to my committee members, Eric Freedman, David Poulson and Bruno Takahashi, for their support and feedback throughout the creation of this series.

Thank you to my partner, Steven, for reading all of my first drafts and being the ultimate hypeman.

Thank you to Spencer High for creating such beautiful illustrations to accompany the series.

Thank you to everyone I interviewed for so generously taking the time to share their knowledge, connections and stories.

Thank you to the Michigan State University School of Journalism for providing funding to support the visuals for the series.

I am endlessly grateful for your support.