ABOUT ME

Ashton Drake Hackney is a journalist, but more than that, he is passionate local, with local passions.

 

I grew up in Dayton, OH, and moved to Mesa, AZ in May of 2017 where I live with my wife, three dogs, and two cats. I enjoy writing about all the amazing things to do in Mesa. I also enjoy being involved in my community by supporting local businesses. Weekly my wife and I go to various restaurants to try new local cuisine, as well as local breweries for the various local beers, ciders, and wines. On weekends you can find me hiking at the many trailheads that cut through the Tonto National Forest and over the local mountain ranges. One could say that I have embraced all things, Arizona.

 

I discovered my love for journalism while I was attending Full Sail University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Audio Production. During this time I was exposed to the world of broadcasting. This is where the spark for journalism started. During the pandemic I watched a lot of news and saw the connections that reporters made with the people they spoke with. Their passion for their craft was inspiring. Fast forward to 2021 and many new businesses started opening in Mesa Arizona where I reside. As these new local businesses opened, I started to write about them via Twitter and blogging. This turned into a passion!

 

I brings my audience closer to the heart of Arizona. With new businesses opening all the time, it can be hard to keep up. It can also be difficult as someone from outside Arizona to find things to do. I write frequently about restaurants that are opening, and even those that have been serving the community for years now. When looking for local events like music and film festivals, or even art shows, my blog posts will give you insight into these exciting happenings.

 

When reading my blog, you can expect to be well informed. All of my posts are well researched and factual. I takes special consideration for presenting my audience with informative and raw takes on my community and the world around me.

​

Follow me on all of my social media via https://linktr.ee/ashton_hackney

​

My Education: 

​

B.S. Audio Production

M.A. New Media Journalism