June 2025: Community Stories, Resources for Change, and Wrapping Up the CMAs
June 2025, Issue 2
Hey, Narrative Change Community!
Welcome to Reflections, the new official newsletter for all things related to Public Narrative! We will guide you through news you may have missed, share local jobs and resources, spotlight events, and prospects of interest of nonprofit organizations, storytellers, newsrooms, mediamakers, and policy makers. Plus, there is a section for Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) members.
In this issue:
📰 News: Illinois State Police gives ICE access to gang database despite TRUST Act, while The TRiiBE opens new West Side newsroom and Meta partners with Illinois nuclear plant for AI power.
🔗 Resources: Comprehensive Illinois immigration guide and Lensfest journalism fundraising insights available, plus upcoming legal workshops for media professionals.
📅 Events: Bronzeville Juneteenth celebration, health documentary screening, and immigration law consultations.
📣 PN Updates: Full video and photo album of the 30th Annual Community Media Awards, PN is accepting proposals to host communications workshops, and a message from our President and Executive Director, Jhmira Alexander, who proudly joins the ranks of the Leaders for a New Chicago 2025 Cohort!
And we want to hear from you too! We won't be able to capture it all, so send us your news, and you might find it right here in an upcoming newsletter that thousands in our community receive.
See what's being published this month.
Photo by Jerry Nowicki for Capitol News Illinois
Illinois State Police Keeps Data on Suspected Gang Members. ICE Has Access // WTTW
Illinois’ TRUST Act prohibits data sharing between state police and federal immigration authorities. Advocates are concerned about profiling and deportation risks. Inform yourself and others here.
The TRiiBE Opens West Side Newsroom, Studio To Tell More Stories About Black Chicago Block Club Chicago
The TRiiBE has opened a new newsroom and production studio in Austin with plans to host town halls, workshops, and live events, creating a new hub for stories that center Black Chicagoans from the West Side. Learn more about the expansion here.
Meta Strikes Deal With Illinois Nuclear Plant to Power AI // WBEZ Chicago
Meta has signed a 20-year agreement with Constellation Energy to purchase electricity from the Clinton nuclear plant in Central Illinois. Chicagoans are concerned that the partnership puts private tech priorities over public needs. Read more here.
Mercado de Colores: Little Village’s Farmers Market Returns Saturday // Block Club Chicago
Mercado de Colores is back this Saturday at Manuel Perez Jr. Memorial Plaza, bringing fresh produce, local vendors, and community entertainment to Little Village. The market runs through October and highlights the vibrant culture of the neighborhood. Plan your visit and learn more here.
PN President Joins the Ranks of 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago 2025
Congratulations to our President & Executive Director, Jhmira Alexander, who has been recognized as one of eight Leaders for A New Chicago by Field Foundation and MacArthur Foundation.
The Field Foundation says “The Leaders for a New Chicago Award...stand as a powerful testament to the kind of leadership our city needs—rooted in lived experience, fueled by resilience, and driven by a deep love for community.”
Graphic Right: by Field Foundation.
Explore local resources.
Lessons from the Lensfest News Philanthropy Summit 2025 // The Lensfest Institute
More than 350 journalism fundraisers gathered in Philadelphia for the Lensfest News Philanthropy Summit to explore sustainable strategies for local news. Explore the full insights and resources here.
June 18: ProJourn Pre-Publication Legal Workshop // Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, ProJourn
Join media law expert, Tom Burke for a free virtual workshop on how to assess and reduce legal risk in your reporting. The session will cover key tips for pre-publication review and when to seek deeper legal support. Register for the free event here.
June 27: Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub Summer Summit // Medill Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub, Field Foundation
The Summer Summit incites journalists, media makers, and community organizers for a day of strategy, collaboration, and storytelling. This event includes panels, networking, and interactive sessions centered on equity and narrative power. Free event with RSVP.
Explore Chicago's media/storytelling opportunities.
Manager of Immigration Advocacy // Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago
This role focuses on implementing immigration policy priorities and driving strategic campaigns that support immigrant communities nationally. Apply here.
Artistic Director // SOL Collective
SOL Collective is searching for a new Artistic Director. SOL Collective produces highly polished work, tells stories off-book, and showcases the voices of Black women and women of color. Find more information here and apply by June 20, 2025.
Family Support Network (FSN) Director // Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
ICIRR seeks a Family Support Network Director. This role oversees the FSN coordinator, manages hotline operations, and develops strategies to enhance accessibility and impact. Learn more about the job here.
PN Attends the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s "Powering Possibility" Lunch to Honor Partners and Celebrate Impact
The Chicago Public Library Foundation (CPLF) hosted its annual “Powering Possibility” lunch which revealed winners of the 2025 Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards.
Congratulations to the honorees and kudos to Brenda Langstraat Bui, President and CEO of CPLF, and Commissioner Chris Brown for organizing such a great event!
Photo Left: Jhmira Alexander pictured with Bruce Sagan, longtime journalist, publisher, and supporter of the arts. In 2022, Sagan was awarded the National Medal of Arts. Photo by Sylvia Ewing for Public Narrative.
See what’s happening this month.
June 10: Making it in Chicago: Dead Ends and Detours on the Path to Opportunity // City Club of Chicago
City Club's live podcast and lunch program, “Be in the Room,” features a major reporting series: Making it in Chicago: Dead Ends and Detours on the Path to Opportunity and a panel discussion. The panel will be moderated by Crystal Paul, Illinois Answers Project. Register here.
June 14: Bronzeville's 2025 Juneteenth Celebration: Honoring the Legacy of Freedom // FAM Entertainment Theater Company, NFP
Celebrate Juneteenth in Bronzeville. Find the list of local vendors, small businesses, and attractions here. Admission is free, but registration is encouraged.
June 18: Critical Condition: Health in Black America Screening and Panel Discussion // NOVA, WTTW
NOVA and WTTW are hosting a free screening of Critical Condition, a film exploring the roots of health disparities affecting Black Americans. A catered reception and panel with the filmmakers and experts will follow. Get your tickets here.
June 26: Free Immigration Law Open House // Indo-American Center
The Indo-American Center is hosting its last open house session which offers legal consultation and answers questions about immigration. Remember to bring all your immigration documents. Find more information here.
The 30th Annual Community Media Awards
Support CIMA
Video by: Matthew Ewing for Public Narrative
Public Narrative is the steward of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA), a collective of Chicago-based newsrooms, media outlets, and organizations committed to credible, community centered reporting.
Your contribution helps sustain the infrastructure of local newsrooms and media organizations and their needs in serving the public.
Learn more and support CIMA with a donation today!
Deep dive into PN’s archive.
Then
In 2019, PN partnered with the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) to create the Chicago Community, Media and Research Partnership.
This was a nine-member task force of community leaders and patients, community media journalists, and community-engaged health researchers.
The task force created a framework for making research accessible through community media.
Now
PN is now accepting inquiries for our communications training with a focus on authentic, informed storytelling.
We are here to help the nonprofit community and others strategize and strengthen communications about their work.
Email info@publicnarrative.org about your needs.
30th Annual Community Media Awards – Full Ceremony
Video by: Sulyiman Stokes for Public Narrative
Video by: Sulyiman Stokes for Public Narrative
The 30th Annual Community Media Awards, presented by Public Narrative, which took place at the Claudia Cassidy Theater in the Chicago Cultural Center on May 1, 2025. PN celebrated three decades of community-led journalism and storytelling that amplified Chicago’s voice.
Now you can see and hear these stories for yourself: every award, every speech, every story that moved the room.
A message from our President and Executive Director.
Be a supporter of narrative change.
Reflections aims to spotlight the different worlds that make up our narrative change ecosystem. We'll share some events, call-to-actions, news stories and even people working towards shifting narratives that impact us all.
And we want to hear from you too! We won't be able to capture it all, so send us your news, and you might find it right here in an upcoming newsletter that thousands in our community receive.
Email our Digital Engagement Manager, Ivy Do, at ido@publicnarrative.org if you have any other inquiries about our newsletter.
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Public Narrative is a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to cultivating narrative change and supporting community-oriented journalism since 1989.
