August 2026: Milestones, Memories and Impact! Read our '25-'26 Impact Report. CIMA Member, The TRiiBE, set to celebrate a new space and more!
Hey, Narrative Change Community!
A Message From PN VP of Journalism and Media Engagement, Sylvia Ewing
Photo provided by Sylvia Ewing.
Milestones, Memories and Impact!
I’m excited to share that we are releasing our first-ever Annual Report. In recent years, a ‘Christmas in July’ trend has emerged as a marketing tactic to extend the holiday vibes and the shopping season that, in my opinion, far too often overshadow the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. But for Public Narrative, summer marks the start of our fiscal year and is a great time to share our 2025-2026 milestones, memories and impact.
You know the old saying about describing an elephant based on the part that you touch? In the same way, the pillars of our vision often show up through the immediate connections with busy partners and the people we serve, who may not realize the scope of our mission. This includes violence prevention and justice advocacy, policies that build healthy, safe communities, supporting a strong independent media ecosystem, and championing Chicago’s powerful brand of collaboration.
In the report, we share milestones, including the launch of the Health Science Reporting Fellowship (HSRF) with the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) and the Center for Community Health (CCH) at Northwestern University. HSRF builds media capacity and expands access to health research and reporting for outlets and audiences. We hope our readers enjoy the memories of gathering at the Chicago Public Library to kick off our Alliance Matters editorial campaign or experiencing the work that “Temperature Check” produced for various outlets.
We are honored to share our impact through storytelling, narrative, and convenings. The Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice, launched in partnership with DePaul University’s College of Communication, provided essential opportunities to gather and learn. According to 99% of survey participants, the information sessions at our Connecting Media and Community Conference were relevant to their work.
Presentations by President and CEO Jhmira Alexander and me shared our results and our hopes with hundreds of people across the state and country.
Please take a moment to read our Annual Report on moments of change, inspiration, and opportunity. Join us as we create milestones, memories, and impact together.
I'm thrilled to be the guest contributor in this edition of Reflections and to invite you to check out a personal passion: My streaming program, Serenity, Strength, and Style with Sylvia Ewing and Friends. You can find it on my YouTube channel or at von.tv!
Sylvia Ewing
VP of Journalism and Media Engagement
Public Narrative
Read Public Narrative’s 2025-2026
Annual Report
Image: (Left to right) Cheryl Mainor and Daniel O. Ashe, President of the Field Foundation // Credit: Chicago News Weekly on Instagram
Congratulations Are in Order, Cheryl Mainor Recognized as a Leader for a New Chicago!
Congratulations are in order! Cheryl Mainor is the Founder, President & Publisher of CIMA member, Chicago News Weekly and CNW Media.
“In its eighth year, the Leaders for a New Chicago Award recognizes eight community-based leaders who are redefining civic leadership and reimagining Chicago’s future. The initiative, a collaboration between the Field and MacArthur Foundations, provides $50,000 in unrestricted funding to each leader, as well as $25,000 general operating grants to the leaders' affiliated nonprofits.”
CIMA Members are on a Roll!
Respair Media's Daniel Kissingler and Damon Williams are 2026 Public Humanities Awardees
We are thrilled to celebrate Daniel Kisslinger and Damon Williams, who will be honored on September 23, 2026, at the Public Humanities Awards. The awards recognize “individuals and organizations whose dedication helps keep the humanities vibrant, accessible, and impactful across Illinois.” We are incredibly proud to see Daniel and Damon recognized for their contributions and commitment to movement journalism.
Illustration by Jesse Renee Kennedy for Medill/Borderless Magazine
Chicago nonprofits serving unaccompanied minors face federal funding cuts after months of accelerated court hearings // Borderless Magazine
This summer, Chicago-based legal representatives for unaccompanied minors confront slashed budgets after the federal government let a contract lapse — a move that comes after months of fast-tracked immigration hearings.
Tyson Foods will close its Illinois plant, leaving 2,500 workers unemployed. // La Raza
Under what it described as a "restructuring" of its plants, Tyson Foods announced it will close its plant in Joslin, Illinois, affecting 2,500 employees who will apparently lose their jobs.
Read more: Tyson Foods will close its Illinois plant, leaving 2,500 workers unemployed.
Chicago’s AI Push Brings Investment—and a Fight Over Who Pays for the Power // Chicago News Weekly
Data centers support artificial intelligence, cloud computing, streaming, data storage, and other digital services. They are not exclusively AI facilities, but the growth of AI is accelerating demand for the enormous computing capacity they provide—and for the electricity needed to run them.
Listen and read more: Chicago’s AI Push Brings Investment—and a Fight Over Who Pays for the Power
Executive Director // South Side Media Works
Administrative Director // Community TV Network
Designer, Visual Storytelling // 19th News
Grant Opportunity: Youth Fund for Social Change // Crossroads Fund
Grant Opportunity: Institute to Innovate (i2i) Capacity Building and Violence Prevention Grant Program // Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority
Freelance Fellowship // Investigative Reporters & Editors
Aug 26: 40 and Bolder: A Summer Soirée // Chicago Public Library Foundation
Join CPLF on August 26 at McDonald's Headquarters Rooftop (110 N. Carpenter Street) for 40 and Bolder: A Summer Soirée hosted by CPLF's Associate Board in celebration of the Foundation's 40th anniversary. This rooftop party will feature fun activations, raffle prizes, and opportunities to meet other Library lovers.
Aug 29: Rooted Out West // The TRiiBE
In conjunction with "Out West III," The TRiiBE invites you to Rooted Out West, a two-day summit that invites community members to continue the memoir's exploration of memory, land and belonging. Free admission with RSVP. The celebration kicks oiff at 9:00 a.m. at 2501 W Washington Blvd.
Sep 16: The Nominee Celebration // Chicago Innovation
Join Chicago Innovation on September 16th to celebrate the 356 Chicago Innovation Award nominees in the running for the 25th annual Chicago Innovation Awards. These nominees cut across all industries, from large corporations to startups, for-profit and non-profit. 5 - 7:30 p.m. at CineCity Studios (2429 West 14th Street).
