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

Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, March 27, 2021 - Full Show

 Michael Puente of WBEZ, guest hosts "Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices." (WTTW News) Can industry and healthy neighborhoods coexist? Puerto Ricans weigh independence and statehood. And an organization helps the visually impaired maintain their independence. Read more >

Latino Voices

Puerto Ricans May Soon Get Say on Island’s Long-Term Territorial Status

Marilia Gutierrez and Edilberto Cheverez join WBEZ's Michael Puente to discuss Puerto Rico’s future status. (WTTW News) The Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act calls for the creation of a “status convention” of delegates elected by Puerto Rican voters to determine the island’s long-term territorial status, whether that be statehood, independence, or perhaps a variation on the current arrangement. Read more >

Latino Voices

The Chicago Lighthouse Leads Residents to Independence and Employment

The Chicago Lighthouse offers children’s education, vision care, rehabilitation, and job training for people with vision impairment and employs them in a variety of capacities. (WTTW News) The Chicago Lighthouse offers children’s education, vision care, rehabilitation and job training for the blind, visually impaired, disabled and veteran communities and employs them in a variety of capacities.  Read more >

Latino Voices

Southeast Side Organizers Say Solution to Pollution Problem Includes Clean Industry Jobs

Over the years, industry has taken a toll on the Southeast Side, harming both the natural environment and the health of residents. (WTTW News) In recent months, the tension between industry and community has escalated as protests erupted against metal scrapper General Iron’s proposed relocation to the Southeast Side. And while activists say the area has been overburdened with industry, the need for jobs with low barriers to entry is still high. Read more >

Black Voices

State of Vaccination: How Illinois Can Build Trust Among Black Residents

(WTTW News) What state governments are doing — and what some think they should be doing — to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in the Black community. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Jan. 10, 2021 - Full Show

Getting COVID-19 vaccines to Black and Brown communities. Some CPS students prepare to head back to the classroom. How different protesters are treated by law enforcement. Plus: The Last Word returns. Read more >

Black Voices

The Last Word: Ajanaku and Coffy

Jean-Paul Coffy and Yakini Ajanaku-Coffy (WTTW News) Married musicians and educators Jean-Paul Coffy and Yakini Ajanaku-Coffy share their thoughts on giving back to the community. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Dec. 27, 2020 - Full Show

Some of our favorite stories from the year, including the local ties of the NFL’s first Black team president. Plus, a Red Line expansion, MSI’s new leader and the story of a family owned record shop. 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

New Study Examining Chicago’s Economic and Racial Disparities Finds 72% of White Families Own Homes Compared to 34% of Black Families

Residents walk down a block in the Chatham community. (Provided by the Chicago Community Trust) According to the study, Black households have a median net wealth of zero dollars compared to $210,000 for White families, and Black families have the lowest estimated rate of home ownership at 34% compared to 72% for White households. 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 >