March 2026: You’re invited to the 31st Annual Community Media Awards! Applications extended for the Health Reporting and Research Fellowship.
Hey, Narrative Change Community!
A Message From Guest Contributor, Jesús Del Toro (La Raza)
Photo provided by Jesús Del Toro.
The Institute for Journalism and Racial Justice arrives at an important moment for Chicago’s local news ecosystem. Across the city, many dynamic local news outlets and independent reporters are working with limited resources, and our communities are hungry for more coverage that reflects their realities. By supporting freelance and emerging journalists with mentorship and workshops, the institute is helping strengthen the people who are already doing the work of telling Chicago’s stories from the people’s perspective.
Also, the institute’s focus on racial justice and inclusive storytelling is very relevant.
Chicago is one of the most diverse cities in the country, yet many communities—particularly Latino and Black neighborhoods—are still underrepresented or misrepresented in media. By promoting practices such as solutions journalism and asset-framing, the program encourages reporting that goes beyond highlighting problems and explores how communities respond, organize, and create change.
The institute’s goals of connecting students, community storytellers, and members of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance will also help to build a stronger local media network.
As director of La Raza, I support Public Narrative and DePaul University in this initiative, as we share a strong community commitment and the goal of producing local journalism to inform, represent, and empower our people.
Jesús Del Toro, Guest Writer
President and CEO
La Raza
You’re Invited to the 31st Annual Community Media Awards!
Join us for an evening that celebrates the power of storytelling and community-centered journalism at the 31st Annual Community Media Awards. The event will be held on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center.
This inspiring celebration will honor exceptional journalists, storytellers, and media makers whose work informs, uplifts, and drives meaningful change.
Deadline EXTENDED: Health Science Reporting Fellowship for Chicagoland Community Media Journalists
The Health Science Reporting Fellowship for Journalists is co-led by Public Narrative & the Alliance for Research with Chicagoland Communities at Northwestern University.
The goal of the Fellowship is to support Chicagoland community media journalists in making health science, data, and issues accessible, understandable, and actionable for the benefit of the public’s health.
The Fellowship is an opportunity to:
Grow the field of journalists covering health science in the Chicago area.
Enhance journalists’ capacity to understand health science, data sources, and issues.
Cover the changing health landscape, including shifts in health and science misinformation and disinformation, the public’s health and science literacy, and trusted messengers.
This 3-month Fellowship will support a cohort of 4-5 Fellows and provide to fellows a reimbursement of up to $4,000, capacity building sessions including a mix of in-person (2-3) and virtual workshops (2-3), informal virtual cohort check-ins, resources, and connections.
Applications close March 23, 2026 (11:59 PM).
Support local media! Check out upcoming events on the Chicago Local Media Events Calendar!
Members of Chicago’s local media community 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.
This Public Narrative Resource is great for keeping up with activities and planning!
South Side Weekly // Credit: Paul Goyette
Who Bears the Cost of War? // South Side Weekly
The United States’ and Israel’s war on Iran has already taken the lives of more than 1,300 Iranians, including over 150 children, while the seventh U.S. casualty was reported last week. President Donald Trump and defense officials have claimed the war is necessary to stop Iran’s nuclear program, one that experts have said is years away from developing nuclear power.
Read more: Who Bears the Cost of War?
Lightfoot launches project to document ICE abuses and demands action from local prosecutors // LaRaza
The website reporticenow.com receives, verifies, and preserves information, videos, and testimonies about alleged abuses by immigration agents.
Read more: Lightfoot launches project to document ICE abuses and demands action from local prosecutors
A new Chicago program aims to keep teens facing serious charges out of detention — and out of trouble // ChalkBeat Chicago
Some West Side teens charged with serious crimes can now stay in school and out of detention while awaiting trial as part of a new pilot program by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Chicago Public Schools.
Explore Chicago's opportunities and jobs.
Vice President of External Affairs // The Pillars Fund
Accounting Coordinator // Chicago Foundation for Women
Part-time Organizer // Street Vendors Association of Chicago
Youth Farm Coordinator // Windy City Harvest
March 23: Know Your Rights Workshop // NABJ Chicago
Save the Date for NABJ Chicago’s Know Your Rights Workshop, a powerful and necessary session designed to inform, equip, and empower our community.
March 30 - Apr 1: ONA Annual Conference // Online News Association
The Online News Association’s annual conference gathers leading innovators in journalism and tech for an unparalleled blend of learning, networking, and inspiration. ONA26 will take place March 30 – April 1 at the Chicago Hilton.
March 31: Covering Immigration Today // Catchlight
In Catchlight’s workshop for photojournalists and photo editors, you will delve into visual reporting on immigration today as a complex beat that can present risks to both the photographer and the people they photograph. This workshop’s space is limited (30) and is presented in partnership with Borderless Magazine.
April 9: Building an Impactful & Award-Winning Journalism Career // Chicago Journalists Association
Join the Chicago Journalists Association from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. on Thursday, Apr 9, for an engaging panel discussion about Building an Impactful & Award-Winning Journalism Career. The event will be moderated by Deborah Douglas (Terkel ‘19 and Storck ‘21 winner), senior lecturer and founding director of the Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub at Northwestern University.
Add your organization’s event to PN’s new Chicago Local Media Events Calendar!
