Public Narrative

Please join us as we celebrate our President & CEO, Jhmira Alexander! 🎉

For the past seven, almost eight years, Jhmira has guided Public Narrative with vision, grace, and a deep commitment to community. Her leadership is rooted in intentionality, always centering the greater good of Chicago’s journalism ecosystem and the people who make it thrive.

Jhmira has a unique ability to see both the big picture and the individuals within it. She leads with thoughtfulness, creates space for meaningful collaboration, and continually challenges us to imagine what is possible when journalism truly serves communities. Her work has shaped new initiatives, strengthened relationships, and has moved our mission forward in ways that will be felt for years to come.

Those who know Jhmira know that her leadership extends far beyond strategy and innovation. She brings care, integrity, and purpose into every room she enters, inspiring those around her to lead with the same courage and compassion.

We celebrate not only another year of life, but the impact she continues to have on Public Narrative, Chicago’s media landscape, and the countless people she has touched through her work.

Happy Birthday, Jhmira! Thank you for your leadership, your heart, and your unwavering belief in the power of community. We are grateful for you today and every day.

Congratulations to our own Jorge Mújica Murias who was honored for his immigrant worker social media education work!
From his acceptance speech:
"There are hundreds of thousands of undocumented workers in Chicagoland, eager to listen for some words of hope, instead of the regular message of “be afraid”, “they are coming for you”, “run and hide”, and the like.
We have done that. We offered resources, education, tools, and preparedness. With the spirit of Studs Turkel, we will keep doing that, offering hope by organizing, by resisting, by fighting back."
Public Narrative

Happy Birthday, Studs! 🎈

Today, we celebrate what would have been Studs Terkel’s 114th birthday. His unwavering commitment to listening deeply and amplifying everyday voices continues to guide our work at Public Narrative.

Just this past Thursday, we witnessed the power of Studs’ legacy come alive at our 31st Annual Community Media Awards at the Chicago Cultural Center. We celebrated incredible journalists, individuals, and civic organizations who embody his spirit and understand that the most compelling stories emerge when we truly listen to our communities.

Congratulations to all of our 2026 honorees who are carrying forward Studs’ tradition of authentic storytelling and community connection. And a heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for an inspiring evening of celebration, connection, and narrative change.

As we honor Studs’ birthday, we’re reminded that our work to diversify voices in journalism, build media literacy, and shift harmful narratives is more crucial than ever.

Today and every day, we’re committed to telling Chicago’s stories with the authenticity, equity, and deep listening as Studs championed.
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There is still time to get your tickets! 🥳 We are 2 days away from our celebration at 5:30 p.m. this Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

It is our honor to continue the tradition of celebrating storytellers and community! The 2026 honorees represent excellence in community-centered reporting and storytelling that drives real change.

Join us as we celebrate the best in Chicago journalism! 🎉 Visit bit.ly/CMA2026-Tickets to secure your seat for this momentous occasion.

The 31st annual Studs Terkel Community Media Awardees, chosen by a committee of past Terkel Award recipients, truly embody the spirit of the legendary Studs Terkel.

Their work exemplifies a deep commitment to community, demonstrating the transformative power of journalism that is for and by the people.

🎉 Please join us in congratulating these outstanding practitioners of the craft of journalism:
Ben Austen, Freelancer
Alma Campos, South Side Weekly
Gregory Royal Pratt, Chicago Tribune
Laura Rodriguez Presa, Chicago Tribune
Jennifer Smith Richards, ProPublica Illinois

These honorees represent a profound commitment to authentic storytelling, a dedication to elevating community voices, and bodies of work that hold power accountable while illuminating the lives of our neighbors.

We will celebrate their achievements at the 31st Annual Community Media Awards on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center. 🎟️ Get your tickets: bit.ly/CMA2026-Tickets

It’s an honor and a privilege to celebrate journalists, media makers, storytellers and civic leaders whose work serves to change the narrative.

Congratulations, Denise Zaccardi of Community TV Network, and Francia Garcia Hernandez of Block Club Chicago! Thank you for your dedication to elevating the voices of our neighbors and using your platforms to advance Chicago communities that are under-resourced and under-heard.

Join us in celebrating their exceptional work at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Secure your seat for this celebration of Chicago journalism and learn how to invest in narrative change!
Visit bit.ly/CMA2026-Tickets 🎟️

It’s time to get your tickets! Join us for Public Narrative’s 31st Annual Community Media Awards on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at the Claudia Cassidy Theater at the Chicago Cultural Center.

This year’s celebration promises to be our most impactful yet, honoring the journalists, media makers, and storytellers who are shifting narratives and uplifting Chicago’s diverse communities. From investigative reporting that holds power accountable to community storytelling that centers lived experiences, we’re celebrating the voices that make our media ecosystem stronger.

Join us for this special evening, secure your tickets now at publicnarrative.org/awards, and join us in recognizing the extraordinary work happening across our city’s media landscape.

Interested in sponsoring this celebration of community journalism? We’d love to partner with you.

Visit us online or reach out to learn about available opportunities!

💻 PublicNarrative.org/Awards

Studs Terkel (shown in photo with bullhorn), spent decades amplifying the voices of everyday people; much like the 31st Annual Community Media Awards honorees. There is deep belief and understanding that the most powerful stories emerge when we listen deeply to our communities.

It is our honor to continue the tradition of celebrating storytellers and community! We invite you to celebrate with us at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Chicago Cultural Center.

Secure your seat for the celebration and learn how to invest in narrative change by visiting bit.ly/CMA2026-Tickets.

ICYMI: PN’s President & CEO Led a Storytelling Training at “Untold Stories” Gathering

Earlier this month,our President & CEO, Jhmira Latrice Alexander, MPA lead a storytelling training session at the Lumpkin Family Foundation’s “Untold Stories: Honoring the Past, Illuminating the Future” event.

This powerful convening in Central Illinois was dedicated to elevating overlooked voices and creating an ecosystem of community storytellers, a mission deeply aligned with the core work of Public Narrative.

We thank the Lumpkin Family Foundation for hosting this event, gathering community leaders and featuring stirring performances from Ted Williams III’s 1619 production.

We appreciate exploring narrative change with attendees and applaud the incredible partners leading this work and uplifting voices across the region!

Photos by Aydin Tariq

Learn more about the event: https://lnkd.in/dXP-jvmh

As we prepare to celebrate excellence in journalism and civic leadership, we would like to introduce you to three of our 2026 Community Media Award winners, each embodying the profound impact of storytelling and civic engagement.

The Dr. Timuel D. Black Award for Civic Engagement, launched in 2025, honors Dr. Black’s remarkable legacy and reflects his and Studs Terkel’s shared values: a commitment to elevating community narratives, engaging in active citizenship, and building a more just and fair society.

Congratulations, Charles Preston of Injustice Watch, and the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership.

Join us in celebrating their exceptional work at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Chicago Cultural Center. Secure your seat for this celebration of Chicago journalism and learn how to invest in narrative change! Visit bit.ly/CMA2026-Tickets