Chicago is the World

Consider the list below here of stories and contest winners. They are stories of struggle and hope, stories of problems ignored and problems calling for solutions. They are stories of Chicago’s South and West Sides.

These stories were the winners in a competition for $110,000 that the Chicago Community Trust will give out to 31 efforts. They have a strong message for the ethnic news media. And this is that there’s a demand for stories about the problems pressing down on Chicago’s largest black and Latino communities, and these stories should led you thinking about what can be told; what other problems draw our hearts and eyes.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.  So, some words of advice, support…..for these winners.

Steve

stevebey@live.com

Carlos Ortiz

“Too Young to Die” documentary on youth violence

Health & Disability Advocates

ChicagoHealthMatters: Shining light on federal health care reform on the south & west Sides

In These Times

Young, Black and Marginal: African-American Chicago in Age of Austerity

Loyola University Chicago

Series of economic news stories on Pilsen community

National Museum of Mexican Art-Radio Arte

Bilingual multimedia series focusing on Latina perspective

Windy City Media Group

AIDS resources and funding on the west and south sides

Projects receiving $2,000 awards

Amandilo Cuzan

Video documentary on turnaround at Wendell Phillips High School in Bronzeville

AustinTalks.org

Investigative stories on use of Tax-Increment Financing in Austin

Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council

Daring to Dream: Youth & parent volunteers document education challenges

Beyondmedia Education

Digital abuse and cyberbullying among low-income youth of color

Bill Healy

Audio slideshows documenting a day in the life of five individuals on the southwest side

Enlace Chicago

Moving Past Juvenile Records: series on how expungement helps youth enter productive adulthood

Grassroots Collaborative

Series exploring the impact of low wage jobs on communities of color

Greater Auburn Gresham Development Corp.

Multimedia oral history by youth reporters of their elders in 3 south side communities

Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention

Coverage of youth-led violence prevention programs

Irasema Salinas

Site featuring local Latinas working in the arts and beyond

Kalyn Belsha

Series examining Chicago Public School implementation of dual language program

Kari Lydersen

Series covering southeast side environmental challenges & future in a green economy

Latinos Progresando

Effects of Mexico’s drug war on Chicago’s Mexican communities

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization

El Cilantro: Youth, media and environmental justice

Megan Cottrell

Series exploring correlation between lead poisoning and academic performance

Metropolitan Tenants Organization

“Slumlord Millionaires” articles looking at one publicly supported & one privately-owned building

Mujeres Latinas en Accion

Multimedia reports from Latina perspective on being undocumented and on teen suicide

Neighborhood Writing Alliance

Series on individuals with disabilities living and working on Chicago’s south and west sides

Rainbow Gal, Inc.

Radio series investigating the City of Chicago’s program for black and female business entrepreneurs

Samuel C. Cholke

Examination of county health reorganization & effect on low-income populations

Serethea Matthews

Examination of 911 response & lack of equitable distribution of police services in Austin

Strategic Human Service-North Lawndale News

Multi-media investigation of impact of poverty in seven west side communities

Sue Ostman

Prostitution court in practice: Stories on individuals leaving the sex trade

The Voice Newspapers

Series documenting correlation of academic success & youth engagement with juvenile justice system

The Westside Writing Project

Research and reporting on efforts to revitalize the Chicago Avenue