THE THINGS WE WATCH.
THE PLACES WE GO.
THE PEOPLE WE MEET.
THE THINGS WE CAN'T STOP TALKING ABOUT.

OWEN ELSASSER

Owen Elsasser brings an educator's perspective to the conversations shaping schools, students, and the people who serve them. His work centers education, leadership, and student success, with particular attention to the experiences of educators and the communities surrounding them.

Currently leading the Association of Male Educators and serving as President-Elect of the NSEA Aspiring Educators, Owen contributes to ITCE™ from Omaha, Nebraska.

ALEX NEWSOME

Alex Newsome brings a perspective shaped by leadership, service, and lived experience. A retired U.S. Army Special Operations veteran and current J.D. candidate, Alex writes at the intersection of leadership, public policy, mental health, and veterans' experiences.

For ITCE™, his work looks beyond titles and institutions to examine the decisions, responsibilities, and human realities behind leadership.

Vari Turner brings community, culture, and wellness into conversation through a perspective grounded in how people actually live, connect, and grow.

Based in Greensboro, Vari's work with ITCE™ explores the intersections between culture, wellness, identity, and community—making room for conversations that are personal, relevant, and reflective of the people behind them.

VARI TURNER

PHILLIP PECK JR

FOUNDER + EDITOR IN CHIEF

Phillip L. Peck Jr. is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of ITCE™ (In The City Editorial), an independent editorial platform exploring the people, culture, institutions, and conversations shaping life in and beyond the city.

With a professional background spanning public safety, education, communications, and community engagement, Peck brings an interdisciplinary perspective to his editorial work. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and Finance from Strayer University and is pursuing graduate study in Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Peck launched IN THE CITY in 2026 as an essay-driven editorial project centered on people, place, identity, education, and community. What began as a collection of individual stories has since evolved into ITCE™—a broader editorial platform incorporating contributors, cultural observation, community storytelling, current affairs, and conversations across multiple cities.