Dr. JL Trey Odom has written 100+ published stories since moving to San Francisco in 2021.

They’ve covered SF initiatives such as Vacant to Vibrant, Slow Streets, the Golden Mile project, and housing + support for trans and gender nonconforming individuals; myriad art exhibitions, galleries, & artists; music festivals like Noise Pop and various bands; the comedy scene in the Bay Area and beyond; women’s professional soccer (the USWNT; Bay FC); and LGBTQ+ digital equity, Pride, culture, and legislation. They’ve connected with Fortune Feimster, Amy Schneider, Aria Sa’id, Lady Camden, Brandi Chastain, Honey Mahogany, and many others for their stories.

Dr. Odom has a doctorate in English, with a concentration in rhetoric and textual studies, as well as an M.A. in English, a B.A. in Political Science, and USATF and RRCA running coach certifications.

They’ve worked as an English professor, teaching courses such as composition, literature, business writing, digital rhetoric, and pop culture; a professional editor for an online-based company, with clients such as the World Bank and numerous academics; and a youth running coach in Piedmont.

Dr. Odom is also a long-distance runner, with their favorite race distance being the marathon. They’ve qualified for Boston every year since 2015 and were the nonbinary+ division winner at the 2022 California International Marathon and the 2023 and 2024 San Francisco Marathon. Running has taught them a great deal about resilience, perseverance, and what they are capable of. They typically run 50-80 miles per week.