Recently appointed DCASE Commissioner Clinée Hedspeth shares her vision for an inclusive, accessible Chicago arts scene, shaped by the legacy of cultural icons and driven by community engagement (Photo Credit: City of Chicago). Clinée Hedspeth is deeply passionate about art, the City of Chicago, its people, and Margaret Burroughs, the legendary artist, writer, educator and co-founder of the DuSable Museum of African American History. Hedspeth, who was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) this Spring, takes each of these to heart, as they

Dick Allen (Photo Credit: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum/X). Former Chicago White Sox slugger Dick Allen has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Though Allen had only spent three of his 15 Major League Baseball seasons on the South Side, he left an indelible mark on the franchise.  Thanks to the Classic Baseball Era Committee, Allen and fellow slugger Dave Parker will be bestowed baseball’s most hallowed honor. This 16-member body considered eight players whose primary contributions to the game occurred before 1980.  It’s a posthumous

The quest for redemption is a journey as old as time. The Parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us that no fall from grace is irredeemable. But for many of the 1.2 million incarcerated Americans, redemption remains a distant hope, an unreachable shore. Upon their return home, they can face burdens like shame, blame and guilt, along with the diminished prospects of enjoying a normal life where finding sustainable employment and affordable housing remains elusive. Jesse Jackson Jr., once a rising star in the Democratic Party and a proud

Ralph Clark, CEO of SoundThinking, spoke exclusively to The Chicago Defender about the technology’s value and the implications of the council’s decision (Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons and soundthinking.com). Earlier this week, the City Council overwhelmingly voted to grant Chicago police superintendent Larry Snelling the power to renew the city’s ShotSpotter contract. This move defied Mayor Brandon Johnson’s wish to terminate the controversial gun detection technology. Not long after that vote, Johnson vowed to veto the measure that passed 33-14, calling it illegal because, in the words of Corporation Counsel Mary

Community leaders and activists gathered to celebrate Bobby L. Rush’s decades of service. The former U.S. Congressman reflected on his journey and unveiled a project that will continue his legacy of social justice and empowerment (Photo Credit: Lanette Warbington). On Saturday night, Oct. 26, leaders from across Chicago gathered at Cinespace Studios to celebrate the life and career of former U.S. Congressman Bobby L. Rush. The Legacy Gala, a tribute to Rush’s decades of public service, brought together a mix of politicians, activists, and longtime supporters to honor his

As the city explores alternatives, Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood shares the Johnson Administration’s vision for investing in people and improving first responder technology (Photo Credit: Chicago Mayor’s Office). With Chicago pulling the plug on ShotSpotter, what will replace it? The city recently opened bids from vendors offering alternative first responder technology to replace the acoustic gun detection technology. Chicago isn’t the first city to scrap ShotSpotter and resort to alternatives. For what life could look like post-ShotSpotter, one could look at cities like Seattle and Portland

ShotSpotter and Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood (Photo Credits: chicagojustice.org and Chicago Mayor’s Office). Chicago officially ended its contract with ShotSpotter, fulfilling Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promise. Depending on who you talk to, ShotSpotter’s end either means that police response to shootings will be hindered, ultimately leading to an uptick in crime, or without it, Black and Brown communities won’t be overpoliced. The city is doing away with a technology whose effectiveness has been questioned. Mayor Johnson recently issued a request for information (RFI) for the city to

Emerge! Sept 2024 - Dionne Williams, Kenya Hunt, Bethann Hardison, Fe Noel, Steve Arrington, and Raval Davis (Photo Provided).  Chicago-based brand EMERGE! took over New York Fashion Week in the lead-up to Chicago Fashion Week 2024. EMERGE! provides a platform for emerging fashion designers to showcase their talents and introduce their brands to the world. Dionne Williams, the visionary behind the EMERGE! Fashion Show, expressed her excitement:  “Each year, we grow bigger, allowing designers to shine on a global platform. It’s inspiring to witness the incredible talent and creativity these