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 
RICJ Racial Justice Writer Room pitching session Credit: Daphne Watson 
Trinity Jackson speaking with Chicago Reader editors Kerry Cardoza, Taryn Allen, and Shawn Mulcahy Credit: Daphne Watson 
(L to R) – Tajah Ware, Judith McCray, Cam Rodriguez, and Darcel Rockett Credit: Daphne Watson 
(L to R) – Shawn Mulcahy and Citlali Perez speaking, Trinity Jackson presenting her pitch over Zoom Credit: Daphne Watson 
(L to R) – Cohort member Trinity Jackson sharing her story pitch with Chicago Reader culture editor Taryn Allen Credit: Daphne Watson 
(L to R) – Managing editor of South Side Weekly Adam Pryzbyl speaking with cohort member Jewél Jackson Credit: Daphne Watson 
(L to R) – Managing editor of South Side Weekly Adam Pryzbyl speaking with cohort member Aaron Wang Credit: Daphne Watson
