Fall 2017 Issue Letter from the Editor

Dear Chicago,

This issue especially, is dedicated to you. Despite the obstacles you face, the people of Chicago are strong, raw, gritty and believe in one another. Although the media hasn’t been kind to our city, many of us in the different neighborhoods throughout the Chicago are working together to create change. Small steps lead to great distances. Bit by bit families and community organizers are working together to find solutions. It hasn’t been easy and often those in power make overcoming obstacles a difficult task, but still we persist.

Photography by: Laura Lopez

This issue is dedicated to the people working to solve the hard problems in Chicago; to the people who believe in the opportunity for our great city to thrive, to the community organizers working to create change for young people in the city and the leaders who give a damn. This issue is for parents who have lost loved ones to gun violence, the friends who have lost their way and most importantly to the youth whose future is in our hands. We believe in your ability and in your future. Even if it seems that the odds are stacked against you, you are capable, you are able and you will persevere.

Although this issue is heavy, we still have included features meant to inspire all of you. Jennie carries the music section this year and highlights festival coverage that took her from Los Angeles to Nashville and in between. She interviews musicians and artists who toe the line between activism and art. The Beauty and Fashion team share some great columns that will remind you to take the time to pamper yourself.  We even teamed up the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism to coordinate a giveaway for two (flight and hotel) to find respite in the DR. I personally share some additional Project Entrepreneur Alumni stories highlighting female founders who are working hard to make an impact on their industry.  They’re the kind of women our young girls can look up to and be inspired by. Laura opens up this issue with a feature showcasing: Marisa Ramirez, a photographer and model living with Alopecia. Laura was drawn to her message of embracing beauty outside of society's standards. 

This issue is a personal one for all of us who worked on the cover story for Fall 2017. Laura brought up the idea of working on a gun violence piece, but I’ve put it off for a year because of how close to home this hits. Yet, Laura brought up a beautiful concept and together we connected with individuals who have been impacted by gun violence. We offered them a chance to share their stories; we gave them a moment to grab ahold of their voice once again.  Rather than focus on the gun issues, gang issues and corrupt political issues, we wanted to share stories of the people impacted by what is going on in our city. 

Photography by: Laura Lopez

In our cover story: Dear Chicago: Letters to my City – mothers, creatives, leaders, individuals and other Chicago community members share their stories about how gun violence has impacted them. In addition to the visuals and written pieces, I worked on 3 special mini documentaries. The first (The Push) is the story of my older brother: Robert AKA Tuto, who was gunned down 14 years ago and has been wheelchair bound since. The second (Dear Chicago) is the visual feature that showcases the individuals we interviewed for our written feature in the issue. Mothers: Rochetta and Beth share their letters to Chicago in hopes their children weren’t lost in vain along with local Chicagoans who have been impacted by gun violence. The third video installment features mothers from the Humboldt Park based organization: Parents for Peace and justice.  You can view the videos here: http://bit.ly/2y3lySK - We close this issue with Nisha’s N’spired thoughts column. She shares her take on finding strength in loss.

You can read the full issue here: 

Antonio graces our cover. He is Rochetta’s grandson and the son of her daughter who was gunned down, he gives us reason to keep pushing forward and continue to work towards change. His sweet nature, curious mind and kindness moved my soul when I met him and Rochetta for this project. He’s only a couple of years older than my youngest and a couple of years younger than my oldest daughter. I won’t forget the day I met him. He and my daughters are a constant reminder of why I do what I do.  Their stories don’t deserve to be cut short. His future is in our hands.