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

‘Other Washingtons’ Art Installation Aims to Reimagine Who We Choose to Remember

Amanda Williams' new art installation around the George Washington statue in Washington Park features artists, inventors, educators and leaders. (WTTW News) “Other Washingtons” is an art intervention located around the George Washington statue at 51st Street and Martin Luther King Drive that features artists, inventors, educators and other inspirational leaders, all with the last name Washington. Read more >

Black Voices

Take a Look Inside the 1903 Frank Lloyd Wright House a Chicago Nonprofit Is Working to Restore

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Walser House, a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2025. (Eric Allix Rogers) In the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side sits the J.J. Walser House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1903. A local organization is working to preserve the landmark and transform it into a community asset for generations to come. 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

Sox Hopeful 2022 is The Year for Miñoso to ‘Go-Go’ to the Hall of Fame

Minnie Miñoso is on the Golden Days ballot for candidates from the 1950s and 1960s (WTTW News) Minnie Miñoso became the first Black Cuban to play in the major leagues with the Cleveland Indians. He broke the color line for the White Sox in 1951. And after his days on the field, he settled in Chicago, joined the Sox as an assistant coach, and was a mentor for generations of ballplayers. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago Latino Theater Alliance Hosts ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ Outdoor Series

(Courtesy CLATA) The Chicago Latino Theater Alliance is bringing some sazón to Chicago’s holiday season with the free, outdoor entertainment series “Destinos al Aire, a Holiday Extravaganza!” The Latino Theater Alliance’s Christine Perez says the events are a way to bring holiday spirit to Chicago while celebrating the diversity of our Latino cultures. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Aldermen Say 2022 Budget Is a Small Step Toward Equity

The newly approved 2022 Chicago budget includes several investments proposed and backed by progressives. (WTTW News) Key components include a universal basic income pilot program, $6.3 million to hire employees at the city’s public mental health clinics, $5 million to expand efforts to renovate single-room occupancy hotels to help prevent homelessness and investments in affordable housing, violence prevention and job programs. Read more >

Black Voices

COVID Vaccine Hesitancy Continues in Black Communities

The city’s top doctor, Dr. Allison Arwady, says shots could be going into young arms any day now.  (WTTW News) Chicago health officials say they’re ready to roll out a coronavirus vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11 now that the FDA has given emergency use authorization for kid-size doses of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Nonprofit Awards Nearly $1M to Local Artists

“I love the tone of the instrument, I love how when it's placed on my shoulder it’s close to my heart. So I feel like I can truly just sing through my instrument and express you know whatever I'm going through, however I feel,” said violinist Caitlin Edwards. (WTTW News) Dozens of Chicago artists are receiving a total of nearly $1 million in cash grants from the Chicago-based nonprofit, 3 Arts. One of those recipients is violinist Caitlin Edwards, who shared her passion for music and the violin with us. Read more >

Black Voices

The Last Word: Oboi Reed

As part of our Last Word series, mobility equity activist Oboi Reed on transportation infrastructure and a safer Chicago. (WTTW News) Chicagoans are fortunate to have many options for moving about the city — from cars, buses and trains to bikes, scooters, and our own two feet. But the infrastructure for those transportation methods is not offered in equal measure to all of Chicago's communities. 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

Black Restaurant Week Returns to Chicago, Showcasing More Than 60 Eateries

A still from the Black Restaurant Week trailer. (Courtesy of Black Restaurant Week) Black Restaurant Week was conceived in 2016 in Houston to address the financial hurdles faced by many Black chefs and restaurateurs. 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

Take a Look Inside the 1903 Frank Lloyd Wright House a Chicago Nonprofit Is Working to Restore

The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Walser House, a Chicago 7 Most Endangered in 2025. (Eric Allix Rogers) In the Austin community on Chicago’s West Side sits the J.J. Walser House, designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and built in 1903. A local organization is working to preserve the landmark and transform it into a community asset for generations to come. Read more >

 

Black Voices

Free Boxing Club Empowers West Side Youth: ‘They Feel the Confidence’

(WTTW News) Roy Flowers started his boxing club in 2021 in the hopes of creating healthy, supportive spaces for the youth in his community. “I just wanted to be the mentor that I wish I had.” 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 >