Senate confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson began with opening statements from both sides of the aisle, and from Jackson herself, who alluded to the historic nature of her nomination.
Stories by aida mogos
As Dr. Ngozi Ezike Prepares to Leave Her Post, She Reflects on 2 Years of COVID-19 Response Efforts
Dr. Ngozi Ezike’s last day as director of the Illinois Department of Public Health is March 14. In a one-one-one interview, she spoke about her plans for the future and reflected on the last two years of COVID-19 response efforts.
Is There a Double Standard in Refugee Treatment?: A Voices Crossover Conversation
More than two million people have left Ukraine since the start of Russia’s attack, finding refuge in nearby countries. Nations have opened their borders and hearts to Ukrainians, happily taking them in. It’s a stark difference from 2015, when Europe faced another refugee crisis.
Police Reform Advocates React to CPD Use-of-Force Analysis
Chicago police officers were more likely to stop and use force against Black Chicagoans than other racial groups, according to a new report from the Office of the Inspector General.
The Last Word: Mother and Daughter Advocate For More Women in Trades
Zahrah Hill, who’s a plumber, and her mother Renee Wilson-Hill, a turbine generator winder, started their careers through Chicago Women In Trades. As part of our Last Word series, They give us a look into why they entered their industry.
Niles West High School Students Speak Out Against Racist Attacks
Students at Niles West High School in Skokie have led two walkouts in the last two weeks to protest what they call a culture of racism on campus.
Black Voices Book Club: ‘Hood Healing: Interviews With Some of Chicago's Most Prolific Voices In Media and Black Culture’
Getting to the why is the theme of the book in the latest installment of our Black Voices Book Club Series. “Hood Healing: Interviews With Some of Chicago’s Most Prolific Voices In Media and Black Culture” unpacks the generational trauma Black people experience and how that impacts communities.
56 Years Later, Program Founded on South Side to Help Students Attend College Still Going Strong
On a mission to make education accessible to everyone, one man started a program that has grown dramatically over the years.
Black History Month Spotlight: Jackie Ormes, Barrier-Breaking Cartoonist
As we close out Black History Month, the last Chicago history maker in our spotlight series is a famous cartoonist. Jackie Ormes broke barriers as the first Black woman cartoonist to be published in a newspaper.
City, Activists Clash Over Woodlawn Housing Plans
Tensions and frustrations are running high in the Woodlawn neighborhood as residents feel the effects of the incoming Obama Presidential Center.
Racism in Health Care Can Impact Treatment Decisions, Study Finds
A new study from Verywell Health has found that Black patients often have a different medical experience than White patients due to discrimination and inequities in health care settings.
Black History Month Spotlight: Dr. Roscoe Conkling Giles, Surgeon
This week’s Chicago Black History Maker spotlight is Dr. Roscoe Conkling Giles, who at age 27 became the first African American to lead the city health department.
Eligibility Criteria, Application Timeline Expected This Month for Chicago’s Guaranteed Basic Income Program
The city of Chicago approved the plan in its 2022 budget three months ago, promising $500 a month to 5,000 low-income households for one year. It would be the nation’s largest test of a guaranteed basic income program.
As Pandemic Takes Toll on Students’ Mental Health, School Counselors Call For More Support
School counselors are often a primary resource for mental wellness and guidance, but few can be found in America’s schools. According to the latest data from the American School Counselor Association, there was one counselor for every 424 students during the 2019-20 school year.
New Film Tells Story of Life Before Slavery Through Instagram Stories
“Equiano.Stories” is a new film that can only be viewed on Instagram. It brings to life the story of Olaudah Equiano, who was enslaved at 11 years old in 1756.
Black History Month Spotlight: Vivian Harsh, Chicago’s First Black Librarian
To celebrate Black History Month, we’re spotlighting a Chicago Black history maker every week. This week’s history maker is Vivian Harsh, Chicago’s first Black librarian.
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx Talks Crime Stats, Jason Van Dyke and Wrongful Convictions in One-on-One Interview
Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx joined “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” to talk about everything from how to tackle crime in Chicago, the controversial release of former Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke and her push to address wrongful convictions.
New Film Tells Story of 1963 Loyola Men’s Basketball Team
Chicago went wild when the Loyola Ramblers played in the final four of the NCAA tournament in 2018. It was the first time the men’s basketball team made it that far since 1963 when the Ramblers won the school’s only championship title and broke racial barriers while doing so. But the '63 season was groundbreaking for many reasons, as shown in the new documentary "The Loyola Project."
Black History Month Spotlight: Wendell Campbell, Chicago Architect
February is Black History Month and to celebrate, we’ll be spotlighting a Chicago Black history maker every week. This week’s history maker is nationally recognized architect Wendell Campbell.
New Podcast Spotlights Real Estate Revitalization Efforts in Bronzeville
Known as the “Black Metropolis,” the neighborhood became a hub for African American businesses in the early 1900s and has remained a popular place to live, especially for Chicago’s Black community. Now, a recent construction boom is replacing vacant lots with high-priced homes. The transformation is the focus of a new podcast series created and produced by Crain’s Chicago Business real estate reporter Dennis Rodkin.
Activists Demand Federal Charges Against Jason Van Dyke as Release From Prison Nears
Former Chicago officer Jason Van Dyke is scheduled to be released from prison Thursday after serving three years behind bars. Community activists and relatives of Laquan McDonald are now calling on the federal government to take action.
Chicago Author Creates Urban Fantasy Series for Black Children: ‘I Still Remember How it Felt to be Excluded’
We speak with author and Chicagoan Zetta Elliott, who created the urban fantasy book series “Dragons in a Bag” to allow Black children to see themselves in the pages of fantasy books.
Evanston Selects First Residents to Receive Housing Benefits in Reparations Plan
A historic moment in Evanston as the city determines who will be the first to receive reparations. We speak with two people behind the push to make it happen.
New Scholarship Initiative Aims to Boost Diversity in Brewing
Beer is intended to be for everyone, of drinking age of course, but it’s not always made by everyone. The craft beer industry has historically been dominated by white men. That lack of diversity is the inspiration behind a new scholarship initiative in Illinois.
‘Energy Never Dies’ Reflects on Chicago’s Black History, Culture
The book “Energy Never Dies: Afro-Optimism and Creativity in Chicago” takes readers through different points in time in Chicago’s Black history and reflects on how those moments influence the creativity and achievements of entrepreneurs and artists today.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Event Highlights Chicago Freedom Movement
The nation marks Martin Luther King Jr. Day Monday. Dr. King led the Chicago freedom movement to fight for open and affordable housing. United Way of Metro Chicago will hold a Zoom webinar where local Tik-Tok star and urban historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas will share some facts about the movement.
