Joseph Darius Jaafari (he/him) is an investigative reporter and editor based out of Phoenix, Arizona. He received his undergraduate degree in film from York College in Queens, New York as well as a graduate degree in urban reporting and documentary filmmaking from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism.

Originally from Mesa, Arizona, Jaafari has worked as an investigative reporter for The Marshall Project, PA Post, Spotlight PA and The Arizona Republic covering prisons, jails, and police. His work on that beat has earned him recognition from the Keystone Awards, Best of the West and he was a finalist for both the Silver Gavel Award and the Al Neuharth Award for Innovation in Investigative Journalism. He also has been published in The Atlantic, VICE News, and The New York Times on issues such as military safety, HIV discrimination, and sexual assault in rural Africa.

He can be reached at: Joseph@lookoutphx.org

Josephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her) is an investigative reporter and podcast producer in Phoenix, Arizona. She produces and reports for TransLash Media’s Anti-Trans Hate Machine podcast, a deep-dive into the people and groups organizing against trans people. She tracks the spread of anti-trans ideas, from their origins in far-right online spaces to their use as evidence in legislative hearings.

Previously, McAuliffe worked at KJZZ. She produced for the station’s daily local news show and reported on accessibility issues in Phoenix. She worked as an independent radio producer since 2017 and was an AIR New Voices Scholar in 2019. She created two independent podcasts, We Must Ignite and Zine It Together. She has a passion for independently created, DIT (“do-it-together”) media.

She has an undergraduate degree in journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite school.

She can be reached at: josephine@lookoutphx.org

Shelby Rae Wills (they/she) is an investigative reporter based out of Arizona. They received their undergraduate degree in literature from California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, California as well as a graduate degree in investigative journalism from the ASU Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

So far they have reported on criminal justice, women's rights, education, and Arizona's own queer community. They have been published in LOOKOUT, Cronkite News, Head Topics, KGUN 9, Tucson Sentinel, The Daily Courier and the Arizona Mirror. 

They can be reached at: rae@lookoutphx.org

Jake Hylton (he/him) is no newcomer to the startup, small business sphere. He made his first introduction to the small business world at 10 years old, when both his mothers started their own business running and consulting restaurants. For the next seven years, Jake would assume the role of apprentice to his mothers, learning everything from customer service, bookkeeping, business development, and leadership.

After pursuing an arts degree and spending his early twenties working in, managing, and founding arts organizations, Jake decided to trade his love of arts for the world of startups. He worked for multiple startups, then quickly realized that he was best-suited to run a business of his own. For the last five years, Jake has worked in residential housing, leading The Jake Hylton Team with Retro Real Estate. Armed with an array of small business knowledge, a love for his home-state’s LGBTQIA+ community, and a love for his partner Joseph’s passion for accountability reporting, Jake signed on to be the Founding Executive Director of LOOKOUT.