PHOTO: David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637

Connecting Media & Community

Thank You For Joining us!

Reframing Purpose, Possibility, and Partnerships.

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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.

Program
Awardees

Trymaine Lee, Pulitzer Prize–and Emmy Award–winning journalist

We are thrilled to announce that our featured speaker was Trymaine Lee, Pulitzer Prize– and Emmy Award–winning journalist, MSNBC contributor, and newly published author of his first book: A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America.

Conference at a Glance

  • General Sessions

    This free, one-day conference strengthened independent media and community media literacy by fostering collaboration, resilience, and innovation. Especially in this tumultuous time, Chicago journalists, media labs, community leaders, and foundations are leading the way in innovation, relevance, and resilience, and this gathering was meant to provide opportunities to cross-fertilize this critical work.

    Learn More

  • Luncheon

    Thanks to all who joined us for a powerful plenary session at the "Connecting Media and Community" conference, featuring acclaimed journalist and author Trymaine Lee. Lee will discuss his national bestseller, "A Thousand Ways to Die: The True Cost of Violence on Black Life in America," a deeply personal exploration of the generational impact of guns on the Black experience in America.

    At A Glance

  • Workshops

    Leaders from media, community-based organizations, the civic sector, and non-profits came together to share tools and experience, build strategies, offer mutual support, and forge new, meaningful partnerships.

    Workshops

Program Overview

Click each section for details

  • Opening Session: Keynote Remarks and Awards (opening remarks from Jhmira Alexander)
    (Introduction by Jesús del Toro, La Raza)

    With an introductory performance by Chicago poet Rocio Franco (Introduction by Jane Lawicki, Inside Publications)

    Champion of Courage Awards Presentation
    Honorees: Timothy M. Russell, Nicole R. Robinson, Gabrielle Lyon

  • AM Breakout Sessions (5)

    • AI & the Information Ecosystem: Tools, Risks, and the Future of Storytelling, with Jon Powell of Apex Catalytic and co-presenter(s)

    • Engaging and Growing Spanish and Bilingual Information, with Jesús Del Toro of La Raza and co-presenter(s)

    • Faster. Messier. Tougher: Leading Through Crisis Communications with Purpose, Integrity, and Impact, with Sarah Rand of Sarah Rand Strategies and co-presenter(s)

    • The Newsroom as Sanctuary: Balancing Rigorous Reporting with Restorative Practices, with Pilar Audain of TRHT 

    • Whose Story Is It? Navigating Ethics in Documentary and Journalism, with Stacy Robinson & Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films and co-presenter(s)


  • Session Speaker:
    Trymaine Lee with panel respondents
    Victoria Lakes-Battle, Illinois Facilities Fund Tiffany Walden, TRiiBE and Sequane Lawrence, Revolution Institute


    With an introductory performance by Chicago poet Tanikia Carpenter

    Presentation to close with a group discussion facilitated by Sylvia Ewing

  • Transition/move/walk outside

  • PM Breakout Sessions (5)

    • Covering Immigration in Chicago: Safety Tips at the Intersection of Newsgathering Rights and Immigration Law, with Flavie Fuentes of Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and co-presenter(s)

    • Data as Dialogue: Using Community Insights to Reframe Media, Trust, and Impact in Chicago, with Ashani Johnson-Turbes of NORC at the University of Chicago and co-presenter(s)

    • Does Print Still Matter?, with Jane Lawicki of Inside Publications; JFT LOFT | Strategic Communications and co-presenter(s)

    • Relationship Building with the Civic Actor Studio, with Joanie Friedman of the Office of Civic Engagement, University of Chicago and co-presenter(s)

    • Silence Isn't Neutral: Why Your Messaging Matters in a Crisis, with Diego Villegas of Illinois Humanities

  • PM Breakout Sessions

    • An Early Look at APFJ’s Local News Pilot, with Rachel Aretakis of Associated Press Fund for Journalism and co-presenter(s)

    • Collaboration That Counts: Practical Strategies for Mission-Driven Partnerships, with Juana Guzman of I Juana Know Inc., and co-panelists, and Sylvia Ewing of Public Narrative as moderator

    • From Zohran Mamdani to Usha Vance: Understanding our Diverse, Vibrant and Growing South Asian American Community, with Rummana Hussain of the Chicago Sun-Times and co-presenter(s)

    • How to Emotionally Engage to Build Trust in News and Bolster Revenue in a Changing World, with Rob Golub of Successful Journalism for Communities

    • Immigration Journalism Resources and Collaborations, with Taylor Moore of Press Forward Chicago and co-presenter(s)


  • Reception/Alliance Matters Remarks

    Field Foundation
    Wrap Up: Closing Remarks

    Appetizers and bar on consumption.

Panel Discussion

The conference presented an insightful panel discussion moderated by Public Narrative's own Sylvia Ewing. Our distinguished panel of respondents included:

  • Victoria Lakes-Battle, Illinois Facilities Fund

  • Tiffany Walden, TRiiBE

  • Sequane Lawrence, Revolution Institute

These experts offered their unique perspectives on Lee's work, exploring its themes through the lenses of community development, media representation, and social justice.


Transformative leadership in media, community engagement, and social justice takes center stage as we proudly introduce our 2025 Champions of Courage: Gabrielle Lyon, PhD, Nicole R. Robinson, and Timothy M. Russel.

These extraordinary individuals embody what it means to lead with unwavering conviction, remarkable resilience, and profound moral fortitude in today's complex media landscape. Through their groundbreaking work, they've reshaped the contours of inclusive dialogue, revolutionized community engagement strategies, amplified marginalized voices, and driven systemic change.


CHAMPION OF COURAGE AWARDEES

Our Call to Action:

Time and resources are limited—let’s make the most of both. 

This one-day conference aimed to provide maximum value in minimal time. We leveraged this opportunity for sharing knowledge and strategizing, empowering media professionals and our communities to thrive—together.

Who Attended:

  • Independent journalists and media outlets

  • Community-based organization staff 

  • Civic and public sector leaders and changemakers

  • Educators and media literacy advocates

  • Culture professionals and creatives 

  • Those interested in fact-based reporting and increasing storytelling skills

What Attendees Learned by Attending:

  • Navigating Today’s Media Landscape
    Strategies for discerning credible news in an era of division and mistrust, while fostering authentic dialogue that bridges differences.

  • Mission, Values, and Narrative in Challenging Times
    Even as DEI comes under scrutiny, your commitment endures. Explore how to safeguard your brand, sustain your mission, and communicate with clarity and integrity in this moment of prohibition and polarization.

  • Rebuilding Public Trust
    Practical approaches to strengthening trust in journalism and information systems, increasing media literacy, and crafting narrative strategies that resonate in an evolving media environment.

  • Storytelling, Voices, and Cultural Preservation
    Your nonprofit organization is essential. Discover and share strategies for elevating creative storytelling, amplifying diverse voices, and championing cultural preservation through authentic narratives. Including Spanish language, ethnic, and community media audience partnerships.

This event was free to all participants.

Event Access 

Sponsorship Information

Conference Goals for Attendees:

1.   Foster Community and Cross-Sector Connectivity: Provide a convening space for civic organizations, community-based organizations, and media to collaborate and co-create. Provide a pathway to rebuild trust between news and content providers and consumers by sharing data on how ownership, influencers, and disinformation work. 

2.   Promote Access to Free Actionable Information for All: Build collective strategies for sustainability and growth through media literacy, education, and inclusive dialogue 

3.   Bridge the Gap Between Providers and Consumers: Strengthen the relationship between journalists and content creators and their audiences through engagement, storytelling, and trust-building. 

4. Facilitate Media-Nonprofit Collaboration: Help media outlets better understand and work with mission-driven organizations to amplify impact. 


Questions? Email chris@hooplagroupla.com or sewing@publicnarrative.org.

Audience seated in the Friedman Hall, a modern wood-paneled hall listening to two speakers in armcheats near large floor-to-ceiling windows with a campus view outside.

Friedman Hall at the David Rubenstein Forum

Thank you for your support!

Thank you for your support!

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