The Paper Prisons Initiative estimates more than 500,000 people are eligible to have their records cleared. But advocates say that’s not happening for many of them. It’s an issue that disproportionately affects Black people, particularly in the Chicago area, says Aisha Edwards, executive director of Cabrini Green Legal Aid.

Following up on our series, Permanent Punishment, a look at the legal routes to clearing a criminal record. Young Steppenwolf artists remember the tragedy that touched off the Chicago race riots of 1919. And nailing art.

Queen Elizabeth’s death is sparking questions about the history of the British Empire. Plus, the mother of Hadiya Pendleton on preventing gun violence and raising awareness of kidney disease.

On Saturday, Oct. 8, activists, scholars, artists and journalists are convening at the Logan Center for the Arts in moderated discussions centered on the themes of injustice explored in Richard Wright’s 1940 novel “Native Son.”

The changing face of Chicago’s City Council is the topic of a special crossover with Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices. And examining structural inequities with Black artists and scholars.

For aspiring alderpeople, the next city election presents plenty of opportunity. With a large portion of the City Council set to turn over in 2023, political organizations are lining up candidates to duke it out and stake their claim in Chicago’s wards to help determine the city’s future.

The phrase, “A lot can change in a year,” is one that could very well be used to describe artist David Ellis and the role expression has played in his life.

How to improve wages — and lives — of low-wage workers. Plus, how Google is investing in Black tech entrepreneurs in Chicago, R. Kelly is convicted and an Englewood native uses art as therapy.

This month, the Shriver Center released a report based on interviews with low-wage workers across Illinois. It found people like home health aides, rideshare workers and warehouse workers struggle with not just low wages but a lack of benefits, insufficient safety protections and job security.

The leaders of events management platform Eventnoire and revenue management tool for the vacation rental industry Buoy Pricing were awarded $100,000 each from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund. 

The future of flight. That's how a Chicago-area nonprofit describes its program and passion for aviation. Tuskegee Next aims to help Black and Brown students take to the skies.

The children’s section at your local library is probably overflowing with books about figures in Black history and illustrations of the Black experience in America. While those depictions are important for children to see, they aren’t always — well fun. That was the experience of author Clothilde Ewing.

An equitable monkeypox vaccine rollout. Plus, a local children’s book author on expanding kids’ reading options, training the next generation of pilots and entering the purple universe. 

The Prince Estate is painting Chicago purple. The late singer's estate is partnering with an entertainment company to bring “The Prince Immersive Experience” to downtown Chicago.

While cases in white men have dropped in recent weeks, Black people are making up a growing percentage of infections — nearly 38% during the final week of August, according to the latest data available. Latinos are also disproportionately infected, making up roughly a third of infections.

In 1925, the all-Black, all-male workers organized and founded the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in hopes of forcing the Pullman Company to the bargaining table.