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, Dec. 21, 2023 - Full Show

Former Ald. Ed Burke found guilty in landmark corruption trial. Discussing what needs to happen amid health concerns at migrant shelters. And efforts to combat crimes against street vendors. Read more >

Latino Voices

Deputy Mayor on Chicago’s New Plan for Public Safety Aiming to Take Holistic Approach to Crime

Garien Gatewood, the deputy mayor of community safety. (WTTW News) While views on how to address public safety are divided, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his new plan Thursday, which he says will address the root causes of crime. Read more >

Latino Voices

Chicago-Area Christmas Concert to Feature Music From Across Latin America

The newly designed program is expanding from the Mexican region to include music from Peru, Spain, Guatemala and many others — calling it “A Latin American Christmas” with music that was heard from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Read more >

Latino Voices

After Devastating Crash, Co-Founder of Cooperative Distiller Still Working to Bring Caribbean-Style Rum and Aspirational Practices to Chicago

Daniel Regueira, Chicago Cane Cooperative co-founder, is pictured in May 2023. (Erica Gunderson / WTTW News) A recent accident gave local rum distillery Chicago Cane Cooperative a big challenge just months after starting. But the owners of the business are moving forward with their big plans. Read more >

Black Voices

Former Chair of Prisoner Review Board Pushes Back Against Pritzker’s Criticism Following Killing of 11-Year-Old Boy

Former chair of the Illinois Prisoner Review Board Donald Shelton joins “Chicago Tonight: Black Voices” on April 3, 2024. (WTTW News) “It’s one thing to say that I think the judgment was in error,” Donald Shelton said in an exclusive interview with WTTW News. “It’s another thing to say that there was a lack of concern for a victim of domestic violence.” Read more >

Black Voices

New Book Celebrates Chicago’s Black Culture and Influence

Author and journalist Arionne Nettles appears on “Black Voices” on March 27, 2024. (WTTW News) Chicago native Arionne Nettles pens a love letter to Chicago in her newest book titled, “We Are the Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything.” Read more >

Black Voices

What Efforts to Expand Access to Sickle Cell Treatment Could Mean for Illinois Patients

File photo of a person getting a blood transfusion. (WTTW News) Sickle cell disease affects about 5,000 people across Illinois — and it’s mostly impacting Black communities. While gene therapies have emerged to treat the disease, high costs can limit access. Read more >

Black Voices

Chicago Tonight: Black Voices, March 27, 2024 - Full Show

Gentrification concerns in South Shore as Obama Presidential Center construction continues. Efforts to increase access to sickle cell disease treatment. And a new book celebrates Black Chicago’s influence. 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

DJ Sisters Bringing ‘Booty Bass’ to Chicago on Lollapalooza Debut

Twin sisters Rachel and Nicole Henderson — aka the DJ duo RaeCola — are about to have a very special homecoming at Lollapalooza. (Provided) Twin sisters Rachel and Nicole Henderson — aka the DJ duo RaeCola — are about to have a very special homecoming. The South Side natives may now live in Los Angeles, but on Sunday they’ll be making a triumphant return to their hometown to DJ at this year’s Lollapalooza music festival. 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 >