City Cast Chicago

It’s been a year since George Floyd died at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer, yet some activists are understandably hesitant about calling today an “anniversary.” Jacoby speaks with Northwestern lecturer and journalist Arionne Nettles about how the last year since Floyd’s murder has affected the BLM movement, and what it means to find “relief” as a Black person in America.Guest: Arionne Nettles: Writer, “George Floyd’s Murder, ‘Racial Battle Fatigue,’ and 365 Days of Trauma”; Professor, Northwestern UniversityFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Chevon Linear and Kameron Stanton are the couple behind the popular TikTok @black.people.outside. They make videos about their travels and local excursions to connect with other Black adventurers. Linear and Stanton guided host Jacoby Cochran on a hike at the Captain Daniel Wright Forest Preserve to talk about why they make their videos and the challenges they’ve faced in raising the visibility of Black people in the outdoors. Plus, they show how fun it is to be outside! Cook County public hearing on Indigenous Peoples’ Day: https://www.cookcountyil.gov/service/watch-live-board-proceedingsFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

When Bella BAHHS speaks, host Jacoby Cochran listens. The multi-disciplinary artist and activist is one of the main subjects in the new documentary “Unapologetic,” which follows young Black organizers in Chicago following the police killing of Rekia Boyd. She also recently released “Acres of Ancestry,” a deeply personal virtual performance.Guest: Bella BAHHS (@bellabahhs)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Recreational cannabis was legalized in Illinois two years ago. But equity is still a big problem. Gov. Pritzker promised licenses for — and revenue from — recreational pot would go to Black and brown neighborhoods disproportionately affected by drug-related offenses and convictions. But the majority of licenses are currently held by white men. Meanwhile, legal groups like New Leaf Illinois work with people with pot convictions to expunge their records. We talk through the expungement process Beth Johnson from New Leaf Illinois.Guest: Beth Johnson, New Leaf Illinois; Illinois Equal Justice FoundationIf you have more questions about expungement: newleafillinois.orgFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

With the announcement that Lollapalooza is coming back at full capacity, Chicago’s summer festival season seems to be coming back in full swing. This may be welcome news for some artists and festivalgoers who missed out last year because of the pandemic. But at least two local music writers are nervous about these large crowds.Guests: Leor Galil, Music Writer, Chicago Reader (@imLeor) Jessi Roti, Chicago Columnist, Audiofemme (@JessitaylorRO)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

The International Council of Museums has dubbed Tuesday “International Museum Day.” Chicago is home to all kinds of museums big and small, and they showcase the cultural diversity of the city. Host Jacoby Cochran recently visited several of these cultural centers, including the Haitian American Museum of Chicago on the North Side, the Ukrainian National Museum on the West Side, and the Chinese American Museum on the South Side.Links:Haitian American Museum of ChicagoUkrainian National Museum of ChicagoChinese American Museum of ChicagoChicago Cultural AllianceFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Host Jacoby Cochran heads to the commercial center of Hyde Park to talk to diners, shoppers, and Sunday strollers about how they’re feeling after the CDC’s new finding that masks are no longer required indoors or outdoors for fully vaccinated people. And while that was welcome news for some, others decided to stick with the plan from the last year and stay masked up. 

On Saturday, the Chicago News Guild is hosting a rally to “Save Local News,” particularly the Chicago Tribune. The paper’s parent company is facing a takeover by Alden Global Capital, which has a reputation for gutting the newspapers it buys. Guild President and Sun-Times reporter Andy Grimm explains why he thinks the deal is bad for Chicago. And we hear from Tribune reporter and guild organizer Louisa Chu about her perspective from the newsroom.Guests: Andy Grimm, Courts reporter, Chicago Sun-Times (@agrimm34)Louisa Chu, Food and Dining reporter, Chicago Tribune (@louisachu)Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm

Episode Description: Teachers have had to adapt in so many ways during the pandemic. Remote learning created new challenges for students’ academic success, but it’s also meant a new level of anxiety and isolation. Teachers-- really all adults-- have to be plugged into kids’ mental health in addition to their other needs. Communities in Schools works with 175 Chicago Public Schools to train teachers in “Mental Health First Aid” to look for signs of depression, anxiety, suicidal behavior in students and teach them how to help. We talk with Dr. Judith Allen about how it works.Guest: Dr. Judith AllenFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm[More possible notes]

Black women in Illinois are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related conditions, according to a recent report from the state health department. This disparity has persisted for decades. It’s one reason a mother-daughter team founded the Chicago Birthworks Collective. The doulas focus on making giving birth safer and healthier for Black people. Jacoby talks with Birthworks co-founder Toni Taylor about her work.Guest: Toni Taylor, co-founder, Chicago Birthworks Collective (@chicagobirthworksco)IDPH Report: http://www.dph.illinois.gov/mmmrFollow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicagoSign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm