The birth and growth of gospel music in Chicago is the subject of the latest episode of WTTW’s documentary series, “Chicago Stories.”

The life expectancy gap between Black and white Chicagoans widens again. The city moves forward in testing a guaranteed income program. A former Secret Service agent receives a presidential pardon.

Eligible applicants will be entered into a lottery to determine who will get $500 a month for one year. Ultimately, 5,000 households will receive checks in one of the largest tests of guaranteed income across the country.

For the first time in decades, life expectancy for Black Chicagoans fell below 70 years old. In 2020, the gap in life expectancy between Black and White residents was 10 years, an increase from 8.8 years in 2017. Overall, life expectancy in Chicago dropped almost two years from 2019 to 2020.

A new television series shot on Chicago’s South Side is airing now on AMC. “61st Street” is set in Woodlawn and explores the relationship between community, police and the courts.

Neutralizing environmental racism in a crossover edition of Voices, on this Earth Day weekend. Diagnosing autism. A story of freedom told through opera. And the city’s oldest Black camera club.

Autism affects about one in 44 children, and while therapists say early intervention is key to treating it effectively, Black children are five times more likely to be misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life.

Chicago’s environmental justice advocates are working to address the systematic structures that created these inequities. They say a greener future is possible as long as the city and industry are willing to do the work.   

Washington Park Camera Club members are combining their passion for pictures with early Chicago history to celebrate Frederick Law Olmsted. 

When it comes to the stories told about Black people in theater, 18th century London might not be the first time and place that comes to mind. But composer Errollyn Wallen is hoping to change that with “Quamino’s Map,” a new opera being staged at Chicago Opera Theatre.   

A pair of friends and business women created 50 kits raising funds to support Black women essential workers in Chicago. Two years later, it has since become a movement that’s expanded beyond the T-shirt it started with.

Police Superintendent David Brown on ghost guns and police reform. Plus, teaching kids to fight for racial equity in this week’s book club. And remembering Harold Washington on his 100th birthday.

Helping young people figure out how to take a stand against racism is the topic of the latest selection in our Black Voices Book Club Series. “How to Fight Racism: A Guide to Standing Up for Racial Justice” aims to give young people information and tools to fight racism and effect change.

Chicago Police Superintendent David Brown says his department needs to do a better job of engaging with the community. He joined “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” to discuss everything from ghost guns to police reform in Chicago.

Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation to the Supreme Court and what it means for the American legal system. A one-on-one interview with civil rights attorney Ben Crump and his fight for Black lives. And a visual artist and teacher with an exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry gives us the Last Word on Black creativity. 

Judge Ketanji BrownJackson will not only be the first Black woman to sit on the Supreme Court, she’ll also be the first former public defender.