Leah Hughes is a freelance journalist based in Denton, North Carolina. Her work has appeared in numerous local and regional publications, such as Our State, Charlotte Magazine, Business North Carolina, Winston-Salem Monthly, Lake Norman Magazine, Edible Charlotte, Charlotte Home + Garden, Charlotte Wedding, and the Greensboro News & Record. In addition to feature writing, Leah works with publishers, tourism entities and nonprofit organizations to develop content, build readership and facilitate coverage. Some of her clients include the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, VisitNC.com, Morris Media Network, Philadelphia Magazine and the Yancey County Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to her freelance career, Leah worked as an editor at Our State magazine. She oversaw the food, towns and gardening departments, as well as the editorial internship program. Leah was also a member of the Our State Speakers Bureau and traveled the state as a public speaker and magazine ambassador.

Leah is a proud graduate of the School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also has a minor in folklore, which allowed her to study the history behind many of the Southern traditions that shaped her childhood. Leah was raised on her family’s farm in the rural Jackson Creek community in Randolph County, where she lives and works today. That upbringing inspires her to share the stories of talented, hardworking people and the communities where they live.