Nikki Delamotte‘s wry, quick wit first appeared in Cleveland Magazine in our Letters page’s Top Tweets section, where the magazine shares its favorite social media posts each month.
“Staying single so next year when I’m nominated for that @ClevelandMag list I can fill in ‘Still waiting on Michael Stipe. Since 5th grade,” Delamotte tweeted in 2013, hoping our then-annual “Most Eligible Singles” issue could connect her with the REM frontman.
But Delamotte didn’t need jokes to get her foot in the door. Her talent spoke for itself — a potent mix of incisive reporting, compassion for her subjects and an unwavering passion for our evolving city. She shined as a community reporter, writing about music, education and more for Cleveland Magazine. She left her mark across the city’s pages further while covering dining for Cleveland Scene, arts and culture for Cleveland.com and more. She also authored the book 100 Things To Do In Cleveland Before You Die. The gifted reporter had a knack for finding and telling stories about great Clevelanders whose talents, passions and hard work made the city better — just like she did.
Delamotte was found shot to death Nov. 12 in Perrysburg Township in Wood County. She was 30 years old. Her death is an insurmountable loss, for not just the writing community, but for Cleveland causes, Cleveland people — Cleveland, as a whole. While her career was cut short, Delamotte’s massive impact sent a ripple through the community she covered, as evidenced by the outpouring of prayers, memories, remembered jokes, loving anecdotes and support for her friends and family. Throughout the journalism community, she was remembered as a champion for the marginalized, a steadfast cheerleader, and a mentor to many. Thank you, Nikki. You will be deeply missed.
Those wishing to support her friends and family can do so through multiple outlets. A GoFundMe page has been created to collect donations to support of her family by covering memorial costs. An in-person fundraiser is scheduled for Friday at 7:00 p.m. at The Side Quest in Lakewood, which plans to hold a raffle and donate 15 percent of sales to the Delamotte family.
A candlelight vigil is also planned for Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Edgewater Park, near the Cleveland sign. Organizers ask mourners to bring their own candles and dress warmly. The event will be held rain or shine.
Finally, we’d like to share a few of our favorite stories that Delamotte wrote in her time as a contributor to Cleveland Magazine.
Age Range: A Short Profile of Herzog, One of Delamotte’s Favorite Local Bands (August 2013)
Goatfeathers Point Farm Makes Small Positive Changes in Huge Farming Culture (August 2016)
Meant To Be: Blues-Rock Band Welshly Arms Releases Self-Titled Debut (April 2015)
Code Masters: With Increasing Demand For Computer Programmers, Northeast Ohio Schools Are Teaching Kids Code (February 2016)
Lost and Found: The Soul Sounds Of Way Out Records Finds A New Audience Four Decades Later (October 2014)
All That Jazz: Developer Tony Troppe Takes Cues From Jazz Age (March 2016)