2023 RICJ Racial Justice Writer Room fall and winter cohorts, with facilitator Judith McCray and Chicago Reader editor in chief Salem Collo-Julin Credit: Daphne Watson
On Wednesday, November 1, the second cohort of the RICJ Racial Justice Writers’ Room concluded with a celebration at DePaul University. The Writers’ Room was led by Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, documentary filmmaker, and media activist Judith McCray, who is the Senior Professional in Residence in DePaul University’s journalism program, teaching documentary production, social justice reporting, media ethics, and broadcast writing. McCray is also a recipient of the 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago award from the Field and MacArthur Foundations.
Over the course of eight weeks, this fall’s cohort of six writers–Gretchen Sterba, Citlali Perez, Michael Liptrot, Jewél Jackson, Trinity Jackson, and Aaron Wang–learned from media professionals about the art of niche story telling, pitching stories with a solidarity journalism focus, and how to seek impact and resonance in the story.
In addition to celebrating the conclusion of the program, journalists from the Chicago Reader, Chicago Tribune, South Side Weekly, and Block Club Chicago, as well as faculty members from Northwestern University and DePaul University were in attendance to provide real-time feedback to cohort members’ story pitches.
The Racial Justice Writers’ Room is part of RICJ’s Racial Justice Reporting Hub and Writers’ Room is funded by the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation. DePaul University’s Center for Communication Engagement graciously provided resources for the group’s in-person meetings.
Many thanks to Judith McCray and Daphne Watson, as well our mentors who supported this fall’s writers’ room cohort: Mary Mitchell, Natalie Moore, Mary Hall, Jillian Melero, Darcel Rockett, and Dawn Rhodes.
Click below to view photos from the event, and join us in congratulating the writers of this cohort!
Chicago Reader Managing Editor Sheba White speaking with Jewél Jackson, RICJ Writers Room cohort member Credit: Daphne Watson
The Racial Justice Writers’ Room was launched under former Chicago Reader co-publisher Karen Hawkins, who will be among eight mentors to support the first cohort
A Metro memorial show in my old friend’s honor funded an award for emerging artists in Northern Ireland. I was flown to Belfast and helped pick the winner.