Latino Voices
Latino Voices
Spanish Is Fading Across Generations. These Latino Parents Are Working to Keep It Alive
Nationally, the share of Latinos who speak Spanish at home declined from 78% in 2000 to 68% in 2024, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. The decline has been particularly pronounced among U.S.-born Latinos, as English becomes increasingly dominant across generations.
Read more >Latino Voices
Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park
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 Voices
Smithsonian Head Lonnie Bunch on Preserving History, Retirement and Trump Administration Threats
Lonnie Bunch was named secretary of the Smithsonian Institution in 2019. He began his career at the Smithsonian at the National Air and Space Museum in 1978 and took on a new role in 2005 to lead the development of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Read more >Black Voices
Chicago State University Gears Up for First-Ever Football Game
For Chicago State University, the first game will be about more than football. The university is hoping the new program can help build a new sports identity on Chicago’s South Side.
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Chicago Tonight: Latino Voices, Sept. 12, 2024 - Full Show
A little-known voting bloc may make a big splash in November: Latino evangelicals. Pushback over a Starbucks coming to Little Village. And celebrating Mexican Independence Day.
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Latino Evangelicals Are a Growing Voting Bloc, Could Play a Role in November’s Election
Latinos are one of the fastest growing minority groups in the country, and the demographic has become a key voting bloc to secure a candidate’s path to the White House. However, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris may need to court a lesser-known subgroup: Latino evangelicals.
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From Festivals to a Parade, Here’s How Chicagoans Are Celebrating Mexican Independence Day
You’ve probably seen a lot of Mexican flags around Chicago this week. That’s because celebrations for Mexican Independence Day are kicking off this weekend. Some street closures and traffic disruptions are expected in parts of the city as thousands will participate in the festivities.
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Immigration Has Become a Key Point in the Presidential Race. Here’s How Some Chicagoans See the Issue
From mass deportation to a pathway to citizenship, immigration has been a defining issue in this year’s presidential campaign.
Read more >Black Voices
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Feb. 5, 2025 - Full Show
Diversity, equity and inclusion programs are being targeted — a look at the potential impact. And actress Keke Palmer on embracing her natural beauty.
Read more >Black Voices
Keke Palmer on Embracing Natural Beauty, Celebrating Black Female Friendship in ‘One of Them Days’
The Chicago-area native recently returned to the city to celebrate natural hair and Black Heritage Month at the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center. She’s on a high after starring alongside SZA in the country’s No. 1 comedy flick “One of Them Days.”
Read more >Black Voices
Members of the Chicago Transgender Community Raise Concerns About Health, Safety After Trump Executive Orders
For many in Chicago’s transgender community, the order and other policies of the new administration are cause for concern. They say the policy focus on transgender people is a distraction from other national issues.
Read more >Black Voices
Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, Jan. 29, 2025 - Full Show
The White House rescinds its memo freezing federal funding. And a plan to hold companies complicit in slavery to account.
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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
Spanish Is Fading Across Generations. These Latino Parents Are Working to Keep It Alive
Nationally, the share of Latinos who speak Spanish at home declined from 78% in 2000 to 68% in 2024, according to a Pew Research Center analysis. The decline has been particularly pronounced among U.S.-born Latinos, as English becomes increasingly dominant across generations.
Read more >Black Voices
Director and Actor Robert Townsend Returns to Chicago for Namesake Film Festival
The event will take place Saturday and Sunday and features a variety of film screenings, discussions, a game night and a master class taught by Townsend himself.
Read more >Latino Voices
Grassroots Effort Grows Into Queer-Led Community Hub in Gage Park
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
Chicago State University Gears Up for First-Ever Football Game
For Chicago State University, the first game will be about more than football. The university is hoping the new program can help build a new sports identity on Chicago’s South Side.
Read more >
Black Voices
Storm Recovery Continues in Gary, as Thousands Still Without Power
Tuesday will mark two weeks since a derecho swept through Illinois and northwest Indiana, with winds damaging homes, uprooting trees and knocking out power for hundreds of thousands.
Read more >Latino Voices
New Short Film Showcases Life, Work of Puerto Rican Activist
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.
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