Latino Voices

Latino Voices

Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park

Antonio Santos and Katia Martinez founded the Gage Park Latinx Council. (WTTW News) In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the queer-led Gage Park Latinx Council has grown into a hub for families. Read more >

Latino Voices

New Short Film Showcases Life, Work of Puerto Rican Activist

The case and crew of the short film “Mataron A Pedro” at a screening in Chicago. (Carmona Rivera / National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture) Members of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community recently took park in a special screening of a new short film based on the life of Pedro Albizu Campos.  Read more >

Black Voices

Black Voices

Curating Sounds and Tastes: Meet 2 Chicagoans Working to Make the Obama Presidential Center a Success

Visitors enjoy lunch in Tafari’s Kitchen at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago on May 12, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) There are a host of locals who acted as the behind-the-scenes cast to prepare the Obama Presidential Center for its opening ceremony. Read more >

Black Voices

From a Replica Oval Office to Michelle Obama’s Dresses, What’s Inside the Obama Presidential Center

Visitors experience the “Yes We Can” installation at the Obama Presidential Center Museum on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) WTTW News visited the Obama Presidential Center for a firsthand look at the exhibits, installations and everything in between. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, November 20, 2021 - Full Show

WBEZ’s Araceli Gómez-Aldana guest hosts the 56th episode of “Latino Voices” (WTTW News) Are engineering companies ready for a business boom following the new infrastructure law? Plus, resources for managing epilepsy. And a Hall of Fame push for Minnie Miñoso. Read more >

Latino Voices

$17 Billion in Infrastructure Funding Means Big Business for Construction and Engineering Firms

Local engineering and construction firms are gearing up for big business after President Joe Biden signed the $1 trillion infrastructure bill into law. (WTTW News) The $1 trillion infrastructure plan was signed into law by President Joe Biden. Nationwide, the plan will send billions to state and local governments for long-needed upgrades. 17 billion of those dollars are headed to Illinois, adding to the 45 billion the state is already spending on infrastructure thanks to the 2019 Rebuild Illinois bill.  Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Resources for Latinos Living With Epilepsy

Dr. Adriana Bormeo-Ovalle and Agatha Demarchi appear on “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” via Zoom, Nov. 19, 2021. (WTTW News) Nationwide, more than 3 million people have epilepsy. Of those, 400,000 are Latino. The neurological condition causes seizures as a result of a genetic disorder or injury to the brain. And while epilepsy can cause difficulties for those diagnosed with it, Latinos face an additional range of health care barriers. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, November 13, 2021 - Full Show

Univision’s Alex Hernández guest hosts the 55th episode of “Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices” (WTTW News) The latest in the fight against COVID-19. Help for those who can't afford broadband internet. Exploring immigrant identity in a new show. And La Ultima Palabra on standing up for your community. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, October 23, 2021 - Full Show

Brandis Friedman hosts the 52nd episode of “Black Voices.” (WTTW News) We look at the Chicago Sky’s championship-winning impact on women’s sports. Plus a documentary on the legacy of Harold Washington. And a breakout choreographer for the Joffrey Ballet. Read more >

Black Voices

How the Sky’s Championship Win is Inspiring Chicago Athletes

The Chicago Sky celebrate their championship win in Millenium Park. (Courtesy WNBA) The city is still celebrating the Chicago Sky’s historic win. After the Sky beat the Phoenix Mercury 80 to 74, it was an exciting and significant victory for the city, fans, and women athletes. Read more >

Black Voices

New Documentary Tells the Story of Chicago’s First Black Mayor

“Punch 9 for Harold Washington” explores the life and legacy of the historic mayor who, as the city's first Black Mayor, faced racism on a daily basis. (Courtesy Tallgrass Films) The story of Chicago’s first Black mayor is one of several documentaries hitting the big screen at the Chicago International Film Festival. “Punch 9 for Harold Washington” explores the life and legacy of the historic mayor who, as the city’s first Black mayor, faced racism on a daily basis. Read more >

Black Voices

The Last Word: Naperville Central Girls Basketball Team

 A key part of the Chicago Sky’s championship success was Candace Parker. She came back to her hometown and led the Sky to the top. (Courtesy WNBA). The Chicago Sky has won the franchise’s first WNBA title. A key part of that success was Candace Parker. She came back to her hometown and led the Sky to the top. We visited the place where Parker's ascent began: her former high school, Naperville Central. Read more >

Join WTTW News every weekend for analysis and features on a wide range of topics, including arts and life, entrepreneurship and innovation, and equity and justice across the sectors of our society and in the Black and Latino communities in Chicago. Make the VOICES series your definitive source for real conversation and a platform for different voices and perspectives.

Latino Voices

Black Voices

Latino Voices

Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park

Antonio Santos and Katia Martinez founded the Gage Park Latinx Council. (WTTW News) In a neighborhood where nearly 90% of residents identify as Latino and many families are rooted in Catholic traditions, the queer-led Gage Park Latinx Council has grown into a hub for families. Read more >

Black Voices

As Stateville Prison Nears Closure, Advocates Raise Concerns About Long-Lasting Impacts on Workers and Incarcerated Men

Stateville Correctional Center is pictured in a file photo. (Andrew Campbell / Capitol News Illinois) Advocates are raising concerns about the location of these facilities and the impact they will have on both those behind the prison’s walls and its employees.  Read more >

Latino Voices

New Short Film Showcases Life, Work of Puerto Rican Activist

The case and crew of the short film “Mataron A Pedro” at a screening in Chicago. (Carmona Rivera / National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture) Members of Chicago’s Puerto Rican community recently took park in a special screening of a new short film based on the life of Pedro Albizu Campos.  Read more >

Black Voices

From a Replica Oval Office to Michelle Obama’s Dresses, What’s Inside the Obama Presidential Center

Visitors experience the “Yes We Can” installation at the Obama Presidential Center Museum on March 1, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) WTTW News visited the Obama Presidential Center for a firsthand look at the exhibits, installations and everything in between. Read more >

 

Black Voices

South Side Residents Voice Gentrification Concerns Ahead of Obama Presidential Center Opening

The Women’s Garden at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Despite years of organizing and city ordinances being put in place, rising housing costs and investor activity continue to threaten gentrification in neighborhoods surrounding the Obama Presidential Center. Read more >

Latino Voices

‘Like Lightning Struck’: Community Marks 60 Years Since the First Division Street Riot, Puerto Rican Rebellion

(Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum) While events for the community are planned for the entire weekend to celebrate Puerto Rican pride and culture, this year also honors the history of Chicago’s Boricua community — marking the 60-year anniversary of the first Division Street riot. Read more >