The Reader Institute for Community Journalism (RICJ), which publishes the Chicago Reader, has launched the second cohort of the Racial Justice Writers’ Room. Six early- to mid-career journalists will work for eight weeks on racial-justice related reporting projects under coordinator Judith McCray.
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 is donating resources for the group’s in-person meetings.
Launched under former Chicago Reader co-publisher Karen Hawkins, each applicant proposed a story for a project of their choice, and will receive guidance and mentorship from other journalists and media professionals throughout the reporting process. They will keep the rights to their work, and will be able to pitch their stories to any media outlet upon completion.
“This year’s cohort brings new energy and fresh focus to social and racial justice reporting in Chicago, and I’m excited to help them tell their stories,” says McCray. “It’s going to be a jam-packed eight weeks, but I believe they are up for the challenge.”
Writers’ Room coordinator McCray is a multiple Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist, documentary filmmaker, and media activist with more than 30 years of experience in television and media production. She has previously worked both full time and as an independent producer for public broadcasting stations WNET/New York, WTTW/Chicago, WBEZ/Chicago, WYCC/Chicago, WSIU/Carbondale, and on a weekly radio series on world affairs called Common Ground. She’s also written, directed and produced independent documentaries for PBS Primetime and national public television.
She 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.
“We’re thrilled to work with these six emerging journalists,” says Chicago Reader editor in chief Salem Collo-Julin, “and to help them explore their voices when it comes to reporting and storytelling.”
Mentors for this year’s cohort include the follow Chicago media professionals:
- Mary Mitchell, columnist, Chicago Sun Times
- Natalie Moore, reporter, Race, Class and Communities, WBEZ
- Mary Hall, award-winning freelance journalist
- Jillian Melero, multimedia freelance journalist
- Darcel Rockett, digital editor, Chicago Tribune
- Dawn Rhodes, senior editor, Block Club Chicago
Meet the six writers in the second installment of the RICJ Racial Justice Writers’ cohort.
Gretchen Sterba is a Chicago-based journalist, writer and creative person who has been published both nationally and locally in publications like the Chicago Reader, South Side Weekly, HuffPost, BUST Magazine, Hooligan Mag, and more. She has a bachelor’s of arts in multimedia journalism and creative writing from Columbia College Chicago, and a masters of arts in education from Roosevelt University. Her writing is non-linear, like her interests — from systemically oppressive issues like prison reform and voting to featured profiles of impactful creatives of different mediums, she gravitates towards what people are doing and how it’s affecting the community around them.
Citlali Perez is a bilingual, freelance, multimedia journalist and artist based in Chicago. Her work is influenced by her personal experience growing up on the city’s Southwest side as a first-generation immigrant. Citlali is passionate about covering social justice issues that matter to Chicago’s under-covered communities. She comes from a community organizing background and her artwork/ designs can be found on various campaign materials. Citlali recently completed her B.A. in journalism at DePaul University, where she worked for the school’s online magazine 14East, as the community engagement editor.
Michael Liptrot’s career in journalism began as a reporting intern at Birmingham’s WBHM, following his term as a Clinton Scholar. Upon graduating college, Michael entered medical school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and served as the President of the Black Student Body through both entering the 2020 pandemic and global social justice movements. Through this role, Michael re-entered journalism to confront the racial inequities in medicine through hosting a live discussion series and podcast. From this experience, he returned to the field of journalism completely as a multimedia journalist with the Birmingham Board of Education before relocating to Chicago to join WBEZ.
As a Steve Baird Fellow, Michael produces regularly on WBEZ’s midday show, Reset, and reports for the Data Desk, including a collaboration with the Investigative Project on Race and Equity (IPRE). Concurrently, Michael is a staff writer with the Hyde Park Herald and co-chair of events with the NABJ Chicago Chapter.
Jewél Jackson is a multimedia investigative reporter who focuses on K-12 and higher education for the Illinois Answers Project. She has covered higher education for El Paso Matters in El Paso, Texas and various social justice movements in her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Jackson has produced numerous radio segments for local National Public Radio stations and is an alumna of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.
Trinity Jackson is a Chicago-based journalist, graphic designer, and brand manager. As her love for journalism began in 2019, much of Trinity’s work supports her passion for networking and educating others through the media. Additionally, her content ranges between Black history, women empowerment, and entertainment. Trinity expanded her interest in Graphic Design through her small business, BossBby Graphics LLC, earlier this year. Trinity is a University of Illinois at Chicago alumna, and a member of The Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated. As a Chicago native, the city’s history of social injustice triggers her hunger for research. With her experience as an inner city resident, a portion of her writing relates to Black livelihood through her eyes. Acknowledging the privilege she has as a biracial, lighter skinned woman; Trinity’s mission is to expose the impacts of colorism, sexual, and racial violence on Black women within their own communities.
Xuandi (Aaron) Wang is a freelance journalist and policy researcher currently based in Chicago. His writing on urban affairs and environmental politics has appeared in Chicago Reader, Block Club Chicago, South Side Weekly, and more.
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