As ‘Punch 9’ Hits Theaters, the Life and Legacy of Chicago’s First Black Mayor

In 2022, Chicago celebrated the centennial birthday of the city’s first Black mayor, Harold Washington. Washington died in 1987 at the start of his second term. His historic election was propelled by a coalition of Black, brown, and progressive voters who saw Washington as the start of a new reform government. In April, host Jacoby Cochran talked about Washington’s life and legacy with Laura Washington, a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times, ABC-7, and one-time press secretary for Harold Washington (no relation). With the new documentary about “Punch 9 for Harold Washington” slated to open at AMC theaters Friday, we revisit our conversation with Laura. 

This conversation was originally published on April 18, 2022.

A little bit of news: Check here for road closures around Grant Park leading up to this weekend’s marathon.

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