Public Narrative Presents
LEADING VOICES IN CHICAGO'S BLACK STORYTELLING
Chicago has been home to some of Black America's most revered independent journalism institutions and storytellers. Celebrate Black Chicago's contributions to journalism and its impact on shaping Black culture, politics and the journalism ecosystem.
AUG 1, 4:30 PM-7:00 PM CT
Semicolon Books & Sweets
400 N Michigan Ave Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60611
P A N E L I S T S
Yohance Lacour
@yohancelacour
Yohance Lacour, Journalist, Invisible Institute
hance Lacour is a journalist with the Invisible stitute’s Wrongful Conviction Unit and Audio Team. e hosted the podcast You Didn’t See Nothin, which on the Peabody and Pulitzer Prize. He’s also an artist with work in the Smithsonian’s African American Museum of History and Culture.
Tacuma Roe
@tacuma.roe
T ma Roeback, Managing Editor, Chicago nder
ma R. Roeback is the managing editor of the go Defender. He is an alumnus of the Medill ol of Journalism at Northwestern University, go State University, and Florida A&M University. Tacuma lives in Chicago with his wife, Tracy, and two children, Kaila and Tremaine, Jr.
Morgan Elise Johnson, Publisher & Cofounder, The TRiiBE
Morgan E. Johnson
@morganelisej
Morgan is an independent filmmaker and co-founder of The TRiiBE, a digital publication and production company with a mission to “reshape the narrative of Black Chicago.” Her most recent film, Unapologetic, premiered at BlackStar Film Festival and had a national TV broadcast on PBS. Special recognitions include Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Media class (2019), Doc NYC’s 40 under 40 (2021) and Chicago Magazine’s 50 Most Powerful Chicagoans (2024). She’s an alum of Northwestern University.
AUG 1, 4:30 PM-7:00 PM CST
Semicolon Books & Sweets
400 N Michigan Ave Suite 100
Chicago, IL 60611
N E L I S T S ( C O N T ’ D )
DeAnna Sherman, Executive Director & Cofounder, True Star Media
DeAnna McLeary-Sherman is the co-founder and executive director of True Star Media. True Star empowers underserved youth to forge their own paths through media arts and digital marketing. With over 15 years of experience, she has provided jobs and training for nearly 20,000 youth and built a platform for youth and by youth that reaches an audience of 4 million per year. She has collaborated with McDonald’s, Warner Bros., and State Farm. DeAnna holds a BS in Business Administration and an MBA from Florida A&M University. She is a dedicated wife and mother of three girls.
Natalie Moore @southsideloislane
Natalie
Moore, Author & Award-Wining Journalist - Moderator
Natalie Y Moore is the race, class and communities editor at WBEZ.
AUG 1, 4:30 PM-7:00 PM CST
DeAnna Sherman @deannadeals
The TRiiBE is a digital media platform that is reshaping the narrative of Black Chicago and giving ownership back to the people. Our original works in journalism and documentary, alongside creative writing and video, capture the multifaceted essence of the Black experience in pursuit
erved youth to forge their own paths by orld work experiences that teach them tal content on platforms that celebrate their perspectives and identities.
True Star builds an entrepreneurial mindset that inspires dreams so that young people can find their voice, discover their path, and prepare for life.
Visit truestarmedia.org/. @true.chi
400 N Michigan Ave Suite 100 Chicago, IL 60611 T H A N K Y O U T O O U R P A R T N E R S
AUG 1, 4:30 PM-7:00 PM CST Semicolon Books & Sweets
A B O U T P U B L I C N A R R A T I V E
Public Narrative is a Chicago-based nonprofit that facilitates training, programming and resource building focused on cultivating media literacy, uplifting community voices in media, and shifting narratives around public health, public safety, and public education.
We balance the public narrative through equity, inclusivity and authenticity frameworks in all aspects of media coverage: from storytelling to consumption and the production and promotion of all media forms.
We leverage the organization’s expertise in communications training and leading courageous discussions across diverse stakeholder groups, including journalists, youth, educators, members of law enforcement, researchers and other community members.
We engage in storytelling, interviews, focus groups and events for implementing narrative change strategies toward long-term, sustainable systemic change.
Visit publicnarrative.org @publicnarrative
AUG 1, 4:30 PM-7:00 PM CST