A community journalism training program from Windy City Times and E3 Radio.
Share this project
12 community journalists trained over 2 years
Our Stories, Our Power brought together emerging journalists and others curious about storytelling for a six-week program where they learned how to report stories from and for communities often underserved by traditional media. Supported by a grant from Press Forward, the program was designed to lower barriers to entering journalism, particularly for BIPOC, LGBTQ+ and other underrepresented storytellers.
Participants in the 2025 and 2026 cohorts were guided through every step of the reporting process—from developing and pitching a story idea to producing an original story for publication. The program’s second year was hosted in partnership with Columbia College Chicago, giving participants hands-on experience with multimedia storytelling in the school’s digital content studio.
Co-led by Windy City Times’ Jake Wittich and E3 Radio’s Anna DeShawn, the program included training on community-centered journalism practices such as non-extractive interviewing, building trust and reporting with—not simply about—the communities represented. Guest lecturers from community-focused newsrooms across Chicago also shared their expertise and experience with each cohort.
Read their stories
Queer wrestlers find opportunity in Chicago as pro wrestling grapples with LGBTQ+ inclusion
Queer wrestlers and promoters in Chicago are building spaces where LGBTQ+ performers can thrive, even as stereotypes, political shifts and barriers persist across the industry.
Where them girls at? Finding Black sapphic spaces in Chicago
From parties to lesbian bars, Black sapphic organizers are creating spaces where their communities can feel seen and at home.
Birding, but make it political
Chicago’s Feminist Bird Club and BIPOC Birders are making the pastime more inclusive—and connecting their love of nature to broader fights for social justice.
How Chicago organizations support families in the wake of gun violence
Local organizations are helping families navigate grief, funeral costs and the long-term emotional toll of losing a loved one.
Frances D’Alessio celebrates 35 years onstage at the heart of Chicago’s Latino LGBTQ+ nightlife
The longtime La Cueva performer reflects on finding the stage, mentoring younger show queens and navigating a new era of uncertainty.
‘Get out of your comfort zone’: How older gay men are fighting loneliness and isolation
Older gay men face heightened risks of loneliness and isolation, but Chicago programs, intergenerational connections and technology are helping them build community.
Maria’s is the Past, Present and Future of Bridgeport
The beloved neighborhood bar reflects Bridgeport’s transformation while carrying forward the legacy of its trailblazing Korean immigrant founder.
Taskforce Prevention celebrates its 35th anniversary: The Evolution of the Gay Black Revolution
For 35 years, TaskForce Prevention has provided community-rooted care while developing generations of Black LGBTQ+ leaders on Chicago’s West Side.
LGBTQ+ orgs face budget cuts, resist by doubling down
As federal funding cuts threaten vital services, Chicago LGBTQ+ organizations are finding new ways to sustain their work—and calling for greater collaboration and advocacy.
Chicago’s House scene shaped global culture. But some of its artists face housing instability
For some artists, the community sustaining Chicago’s House culture has also become an informal safety net.
Students say NEIU’s all-gender bathrooms fall short on access and visibility
Students say clearer signs, a campus bathroom map and accessibility improvements could make existing facilities more useful.
Watch and listen
During the program’s second year, participants produced an Our Stories, Our Power podcast in partnership with Columbia College Chicago. Hosted by Anna DeShawn, the podcast featured conversations with each cohort member about their reporting, connections to the communities they covered and takeaways from the program.
The instructors
Jake Wittich
As managing editor of Windy City Times, Jake leads the newsroom’s coverage of Chicago’s LGBTQ+ communities and oversees its digital transformation.
Jake was named the Chicago Journalists Association’s 2025 Chicago Journalist of the Year. He is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where he teaches a course on LGBTQ+ Journalism, as well as introductory journalism classes.
His work focuses on community-centered local journalism and expanding coverage of LGBTQ+ communities that have historically been underserved by traditional media.
Anna DeShawn
Anna is the founder and CEO of E3 Radio, an online radio station playing queer artists and reporting on queer news at the intersections of race and sexuality. She is also a multi-award-winning podcast host and producer.
Anna also writes BLACKlines, Windy City Times’ monthly newsletter highlighting stories from Chicago’s Black LGBTQ+ communities.
In 2023, she was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame for her unwavering commitment to the LGBTQ+ community. Anna is determined to ride media into its next era by using digital media streams to tell stories and play music that deserve to be heard.
Meet the journalists
2025 cohort
Gabby Gladney
Gabby is a Chicago-based journalist and podcast producer whose work spans audio and written reporting. She has worked with SiriusXM and was a Civic Reporting Fellow with City Bureau.
Kevin Jackson
Kevin Jackson is a marketing professional and creator of Proudly Solo, a resource for single gay men over 50 navigating community, housing, finances and travel.
Jinny Kim
Jinny is a data journalist and University of Chicago graduate student whose work combines data analysis with community-centered reporting.
Ivan Ortiz
Ivan Ortiz is a former culinary professional and community advocate involved in food access, neighborhood engagement and urban revitalization efforts on Chicago’s West Side.
Reyna Ortiz
Reyna is a longtime Chicago transgender activist, author and community advocate whose work has focused on HIV prevention, LGBTQ+ youth and trans and gender-diverse communities.
Chijioke “Chi” Williams
Chijioke is a Chicago-based sound designer, producer, voiceover artist and storyteller whose work combines audio storytelling with community activism.
2026 cohort
Patience Hurston
Patience is a Columbia College Chicago graduate who served as editor-in-chief of the Columbia Chronicle.
Tyris Manney
Tyris is a mental health advocate and founder of the skincare line Tyris Manney Beauty.
Jordan “J.Ro” Ordoñez
Jordan is a public health pharmacist turned artist with ties to Chicago’s street dance community.
Jasmine Rodriguez
Jasmine is a queer Chicana editor and poet who studied at Northeastern Illinois University.
Rahmya Trewern
Rahmya is a Michigan State University graduate who studied journalism and digital storytelling.
Milani Varela
Milani is an Afro-Latinx drag queen and activist who works with CALOR, an affiliate of AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Inside the program
While working on their own stories, participants learned from journalists across Chicago, explored the communities they were covering and experimented with different forms of storytelling.
Learning from working journalists
Guest speakers included reporters and editors from across Chicago. Participants learned about their work and how they approach community-centered reporting in their newsrooms.
- Matt Simonette, Windy City Times
- Colin Boyle, Block Club Chicago
- Mauricio Peña, Borderless Magazine
- Karen Hawkins, The 19th
- Tiffany Walden, The TRiiBE
- Adam Rhodes, Investigative Reporters & Editors
- Jake Cox, Block Club Chicago
Taking the classroom into the community
The 2025 cohort joined NLGJA Chicago: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists for an LGBTQ+ history tour of Chicago’s South Side, led by Mike McMains of Tours With Mike. The field trip gave participants an opportunity to network with other journalists and learn more about communities some of them were covering.
Expanding their storytelling skills
Participants also had opportunities to develop their skills beyond reporting and writing.
Members of the 2025 cohort participated in a panel discussion with the Reynolds Journalism Institute and Earn Your Press Pass about how newsrooms can organize their own journalism training programs.
The 2026 cohort expanded into audio storytelling through the Our Stories, Our Power podcast.
Help make future cohorts possible
The first two years of Our Stories, Our Power were made possible through grant funding. Windy City Times is seeking support to continue the program and train a new cohort of community journalists.
Interested in helping make that happen? Email Windy City Times managing editor Jake Wittich at jake@windycitytimes.com.
Share this project