December 2025: We wrap up the year with a message from Jhmira and a deep dive into our conference!
Hey, Narrative Change Community!
Photo of Jhmira Alexander by Matthew Ewing for Public Narrative.
We started the year ‘Together in Action’ with our Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) community during our inaugural CIMA retreat. In our last engagement of the year, we witnessed inspiration in action during our Connecting Media & Community: Reframing Purpose, Possibility and Partnerships Conference.
This conference was a unique growth opportunity that we hope you found fulfilling. Many have shared their intentions to remain in community with new peers and colleagues following the conference.
Thank you for gathering to hear from individuals who are actively doing the work. Thank you for sharing your lessons learned. Most of all, thank you for committing to deeper, meaningful ways of connecting beyond the conference.
It was mutually gratifying for us to witness members of our network of service providers, educators, media makers and supporters serve our broader community. My excitement for the future of our collective work grows with each moment spent exploring potential solutions to evolving challenges. Ultimately, this means generating revenue and resources for members of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA), cultivating professional development opportunities alongside our Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), Institute 2 Innovate (i2i) and Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities (ARCC) partners.
In nearly 40 years, Public Narrative has found ways to celebrate and honor the contributions of those who have created opportunities to inform and engage communities, ultimately sharing power, ideas and resources. We are pleased to celebrate our Studs Terkel Community Media Awards honorees and Champions of Courage. And we thank you for celebrating these incredible milestones throughout the year, alongside us.
As we prepare for a new year, help advance our mission in any of the following ways:
If you attended the Connecting Media & Community Conference, please take time to complete the survey to let us know how your day went.
Invite other talented leaders in your network to subscribe to our newsletter.
Help continue Public Narrative’s work by making a donation.
Thank you for your continued support of our mission!
With sincere gratitude,
Jhmira Alexander
President and CEO
You Asked, And We Responded!
Introducing: Chicago Local Media Events Calendar
Support local media! Check out upcoming events on the Chicago Local Media Events Calendar!
Chicago area journalists, newsrooms, media organizations, institutions, investors and supporters of local media are encouraged to submit and share their events in an effort to bolster civic journalism engagement throughout Chicagoland. Click here to submit an event to the calendar.
Public Narrative has been elevating community voices in journalism for nearly 40 years! Click here to learn about our work and stewardship of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA).
Conference Attendees - Thank You for Joining Us!
Thank you for being part of Public Narrative’s 2025 Connecting Media and Community Conference: Reframing Purpose, Possibility, and Partnerships. We were grateful to spend the day with you and hope the sessions, conversations, and connections sparked new inspiration for your work.
To help us plan for the future, we’d love to hear from you–answer this quick survey to give us your feedback (and–you’ll be entered to win a $50 gift card!).
From thoughtful discussions on trust and community storytelling to meaningful moments of collaboration across sectors, the day wouldn’t have been the same without your participation. You can revisit the full conference schedule and session descriptions here.
If you have any reflections, takeaways, or photos you’d like to share, we’d love to see them. It’s always a good time to connect on social media. Tag us at @publicnarrative and use #PNConference2025 on social media.
Special thanks to our conference supporters!
AP Fund for Journalism, Chicago Headline Club Foundation, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Illinois Humanities, NORC at the University of Chicago, Rudd Resources, WVON, and YWCA Chicago
Connecting Media and Community: PN's 2025 Conference Digest
Photo of Tim M. Russell giving his Champion of Courage Award speech by Tafari Melisizwe.
Our 2025 PN Conference, "Connecting Media and Community," was a dynamic exploration of journalism's evolving landscape. With 15 diverse workshops, we delved into crucial topics shaping our field:
From ethical storytelling and crisis communications to innovative approaches in bilingual reporting and AI in journalism, each session sparked robust discussions and practical insights. Highlights included exploring the role of print media, navigating safety challenges in immigration reporting, and leveraging data for community engagement.
The conference's centerpiece was a powerful panel discussion featuring Trymaine Lee, which illuminated pressing issues in our industry. Victoria Lakes-Battle's response highlighted the stark contrast between corporate profits from gun sales and the devastating financial impact on Black communities. Tiffany Walden emphasized the paradoxical need for journalists to "humanize humans" in today's media landscape, while G. Sequane Lawrence drew attention to the book's implications for the reparations debate.
These conversations underscored our commitment to fostering journalism that not only informs but transforms – building trust, amplifying diverse voices, and driving positive change in our communities. As we reflect on these enriching exchanges, we're energized by the possibilities for more equitable, impactful storytelling in the years ahead.
Photo From left: Judith McCray (Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice Reporting and CIMA member), Jane Lawicki (Inside Publications Writer and PN Board and CIMA member), Vondale Singleton (Champs Male Mentoring), Trymanine Lee (Author and Journalist), Malik Jackson (South Side Weekly and CIMA member), Jhmira Alexander (Public Narrative), Sylvia Ewing (Public Narrative), Jesus Del Toro (LaRaza and PN Board and CIMA Member) by Tafari Melisizwe.
Pre-Conference Convening - Covering Courage: Journalism’s Role in Movement Building at DePaul University on December 2
The pre-conference panel, moderated by Malik Jackson of South Side Weekly, featured Vondale Singleton of Champs Male Mentoring and award-winning journalist and author, Trymaine Lee, discussed the Obama Foundation's My Brother's Keeper Alliance and its impact on boys and young men of color. They explored how community leaders across the country are building pathways of opportunity in response to issues highlighted by Trayvon Martin's death. The dialogue addressed the collaborative efforts of journalism, civic leadership, and philanthropy in expanding access, equity, and hope for historically marginalized communities.
View Pre-Conference Convening Photos
Through Their Eyes: Conference Candids
We had a wonderful time on December 3rd with all who attended! Thank you for sharing your Conference Candids with us! Do you see yourself or anyone you know?
Explore Chicago's opportunities and jobs.
2026 Student Scholarships // National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
Each year, NAHJ helps students pursuing careers in journalism through scholarship support. NAHJ has awarded nearly $2 million in scholarship dollars since the program began! Scholarships are granted to graduate and undergraduate students who plan to work in English and/or Spanish-language journalism on whichever platform they choose. Students attending four-year colleges and community colleges in the United States and Puerto Rico, with a GPA of 2.8 or better, are eligible for the scholarships. Learn more here.
A hearty PN welcome to our newest member,
The Triibe!
Welcome to the Chicago Independent Media Alliance
Alliance Matters Celebration at PN Conference Reception
Photo of Maudlyne Ihejirika speaking at PN Conference Reception by Tafari Melisizwe.
The PN Conference offered a unique opportunity to spotlight the incredible work of the Alliance Matters collaborative at our Connecting Media and Community Conference Reception. This innovative partnership, which brings together diverse media outlets to amplify underrepresented voices, directly aligned with our conference themes of reframing purpose, fostering partnerships, and exploring new possibilities in journalism.
Alliance Matters members’ dedication to authentic storytelling and bridging divides in our city resonated deeply with attendees, sparking meaningful discussions on the future of collaborative journalism.
A special moment came when Maudlyne Ihejirika, Director of Journalism & Storytelling for the Field Foundation, took the stage to congratulate Alliance Matters members. Her words underscored the vital importance of this work and the Field Foundation's commitment to supporting transformative media initiatives.
Read More About Alliance Matters
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