Authors

NaBeela Washington

NaBeela is a Chicago-based journalist writing about what's possible. She's a fierce advocate of the arts and brings people together around literature and culture. Read more: nabeelawashington.com

9 posts

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Candlelight Vigil Reunites All Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Survivors After 56 Years

Survivors of the 1969 raid, former Black Panthers, residents, and community organizers gathered at the site of the assassination to honor how the Black Panthers' revolutionary work continues today, amid opposition over who has the right to tell their story.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

a mascletà for burning and flowering: Natasha Mijares on ritual, resistance, and rebirth

Artist Natasha Mijares brings the Valencian tradition of mascletà to Humboldt Park through spoken word, textile, and performance.

By NaBeela Washington • 7 min read

Eating Our Way Home: Addis Cafe

Part one of a series featuring food spaces that feel like home, this cafe thrives at the intersection of Ethiopian tradition and community turned family.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Grandma Irma's cocina feeds everyone

After 36 years as a waitress, Irma Ceballos opened her own Mexican restaurant in Little Village, where family recipes and unconditional hospitality have made her a neighborhood pillar.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Liana Ordoñez

Liana Ordoñez is an aspiring bilingual journalist whose work nationally and internationally has an emphasis on social justice. She continues to grow her experience highlighting the stories and voices of the marginalized.

4 posts

De Terrenos Vacíos a Jardines de Resistencia

Las comunidades de Chicago y alrededores se unen a un movimiento nacional para reescribir la narrativa sobre el acceso a alimentos y espacios verdes. Residentes organizan recuperar terrenos abandonados y convertirlos en espacios vivos que cultivan alimentos y fortalecen comunidad.

By Liana Ordoñez • 4 min read

From Vacant Lots to Gardens of Resistance

Communities across Chicago and its suburbs are joining cities nationwide in rewriting the narrative around food access and green space. Residents are turning abandoned lots into vibrant spaces for growing food, building community, and practicing resistance.

By Liana Ordoñez • 4 min read

Candlelight Vigil Reunites All Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Survivors After 56 Years

Survivors of the 1969 raid, former Black Panthers, residents, and community organizers gathered at the site of the assassination to honor how the Black Panthers' revolutionary work continues today, amid opposition over who has the right to tell their story.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Eating Our Way Home: Addis Cafe

Part one of a series featuring food spaces that feel like home, this cafe thrives at the intersection of Ethiopian tradition and community turned family.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Keila Gallardo

Keila Gallardo (she/he/they) is a freelance editor, translator (ENG/ESP), and sometimes writer.

3 posts

Residentes de los Lados Oeste y Sur Cuestionan el Plan Más Reciente de la Cuidad en Contra de Las Altas Temperaturas

El nuevo Indice de Vulnerabilidad al Calor de Chicago busca señalar los vecindarios más vulnerables al calor, pero los residentes en áreas historicamente desinvertidas cuestionan si los datos traerán ayuda significativa.

By Keila Gallardo • 6 min read

El Silencio No Basta: Líderes de Berwyn Presionan por Transparencia

Cansada de las preguntas sin respuesta y pedazos de información, Janel King y otros residentes de Berwyn estan creando nuevas vías para la transparencia.

By Keila Gallardo • 5 min read

En Key Glock confiamos

El hip-hop de Memphis volvió a la vida en la parada de Key Glock en Chicago.

By Keila Gallardo • 6 min read

Kristian Parker

Kristian is a Chicago-based freelance arts and culture journalist. She’s passionate about capturing authentic stories, analyzing various art forms, and examining how systems show up in everyday life.

3 posts

Summer Smash brought the heat. Chicago’s still feeling it.

Two months later, the festival’s energy, emotion, and performances still echo across Chicago’s hip-hop scene.

By NaBeela Washington • 6 min read

Residentes de los Lados Oeste y Sur Cuestionan el Plan Más Reciente de la Cuidad en Contra de Las Altas Temperaturas

El nuevo Indice de Vulnerabilidad al Calor de Chicago busca señalar los vecindarios más vulnerables al calor, pero los residentes en áreas historicamente desinvertidas cuestionan si los datos traerán ayuda significativa.

By Keila Gallardo • 6 min read

West, South Side residents question city's latest extreme heat plan

Chicago’s new Heat Vulnerability Index aims to pinpoint the neighborhoods most vulnerable to extreme heat, but residents in historically disinvested areas question whether data will lead to real help.

By Kristian Parker • 5 min read

Nasser N Adams Jr

Nasser is a Louisiana-born musician, artist, and emerging journalist.

2 posts

En Key Glock confiamos

El hip-hop de Memphis volvió a la vida en la parada de Key Glock en Chicago.

By Keila Gallardo • 6 min read

In Key Glock we trust

Memphis hip-hop came alive at Key Glock's Chicago tour stop.

By Nasser N Adams Jr • 5 min read

Zoë Takaki

Zoë Takaki is a multi-media journalist based in Chicago whose work emphasizes hyper-local journalism and politics. Takaki graduated from Columbia College Chicago in 2023 with a degree in journalism and has written for publications across Chicago.

2 posts

After playoff run, Chicago Winds find new talent for Year 2

The team proved women's tackle football has an eager audience in Chicago, and they're just getting started.

By Zoë Takaki • 6 min read

Grandma Irma's cocina feeds everyone

After 36 years as a waitress, Irma Ceballos opened her own Mexican restaurant in Little Village, where family recipes and unconditional hospitality have made her a neighborhood pillar.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Genesis Falls

Genesis Falls, known as "Geno", is a film photographer in Chicago whose work explores the raw essence of humanity through black-and-white film.

2 posts

We Are Here, pt. 2

In the second of three parts, a photo essay explores how Chicago's West Side communities insist on presence and dignity in the face of displacement, revealing the persistence of life where others see only absence.

By Genesis Falls • 5 min read

We Were Here

In the first of three parts, a photo essay explores how Chicago's West Side communities insist on presence and dignity in the face of displacement, revealing the persistence of life where others see only absence.

By Genesis Falls • 4 min read

Gemma Mueller

An aspiring environmental journalist who is passionate on reporting about the changing world around us. I take pride in being multi-faceted, and aim to continue growing my skills throughout school.

2 posts

Candlelight Vigil Reunites All Fred Hampton and Mark Clark Survivors After 56 Years

Survivors of the 1969 raid, former Black Panthers, residents, and community organizers gathered at the site of the assassination to honor how the Black Panthers' revolutionary work continues today, amid opposition over who has the right to tell their story.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

Eating Our Way Home: Addis Cafe

Part one of a series featuring food spaces that feel like home, this cafe thrives at the intersection of Ethiopian tradition and community turned family.

By NaBeela Washington • 5 min read

15 West

Publishing news for everyone.

1 post

About 15 West

News for everyone

In an increasingly digital world, it makes sense that 15 West leans into digital stories and digital innovation that unite communities through free, easy-to-understand, and honest reporting.

By 15 West • 1 min read

Maya Swan-Sullivan

Maya Swan-Sullivan is a senior journalism major, with a minor in creative writing. She covers Columbia classes and Chicago festivals and events. Swan-Sullivan joined The Chronicle in June 2023.

1 post

Environment

Forgotten to flourishing: Heritage students transform school garden

Heritage Middle School students are learning that food doesn't just come from grocery stores; it grows from soil, seeds, and hard work in their seven-bed community garden.

By Maya Swan-Sullivan • 5 min read

Arturo Fernandez

I’m a bilingual newsroom leader, award-winning visual journalist with 20+ years of experience delivering impactful storytelling across digital platforms. I specialize in leading visual teams, leading teams in digital strategy and audience growth.

1 post