Behind The Hit Sitcom ‘227’: Hollywood Living Legend Christine Houston
By Branden Hampton Before there was a Shonda Rhimes or “Scandal,” there was someone in Hollywood that paved the way. Christine Houston, a Chicago native, is the creator of the hit 1980s sitcom “227” that aired on NBC from 1985 until 1990. She is the first African-American woman to receive a “created by” credit in […]
The Albany Park Theater Project exposes the soul of separated families
Text by Jenny Lee Video by Xiao Lyu Clad in orange jumpsuits, a group of high school students carrying large suitcases trudged onto the center stage. Heads down with hands, feet and waists shackled, they took a seat on their suitcases while two girls dressed as nuns slithered through the “criminals” and settled in front […]
He shoots, he scores: Roosevelt point guard wins ‘freshman of the year’
By Abbas Haleem The spotlight has been on Roosevelt point guard Jake Ludwig the entire season, and it likely will stay that way next year. Last week the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference named him Freshman of the Year. “Sometimes all that work gets recognized, but obviously the real award would’ve been winning the conference,” said Ludwig, […]
Great Lakes protection awaits presidential candidates’ endorsement
By Ruojing Liu Environmentalists within the Great Lakes region announced a campaign platform Wednesday, asking the 2016 presidential candidates to support a Great Lakes restoration and protection agenda. The new platform includes endorsement of maintaining at least $300 million each year for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative within the Federal budget. President Obama cut that […]
Undocumented students fight for funding amidst state education crisis
By Marisa Endicott An undocumented immigrant, Carla Navoa left the University of Illinois at Chicago during her junior year after anxiety and depression over her financial limitations and uncertain future became overwhelming. Her parents, immigrants from the Philippines, borrowed from friends and worked extra hours to help Navoa and her two sisters pay their tuition, […]
Tracking black ancestry: lessons from genealogist Tony Burroughs
By Branden Hampton If you think that black lives matter, then ancestors’ lives matter as well: Without them, we wouldn’t be here today, says renowned African American genealogist Tony Burroughs. “Genealogy is important for many reasons. Once you start researching your family history and finding your ancestors, you might find that some of them were […]
Political leaders establish Puerto Rican agenda for 2016 elections
By Hannah Rank A quiet chatter filled the cafeteria of Aspira Business and Finance High School on Friday night. Loved ones and old friends greeted one another heartily. On a vaulted stage positioned on the other end of the room sat a group of seven chairs lined up in two rows. The chairs began to […]
Lyric impresses with imperfect yet invigorating production of “Nabucco”
By Frances Van de Vel A lustrous production that dazzled the eye despite uneven vocal performances. That was Lyric Opera of Chicago’s recipe on Feb. 6 for its new-to-Chicago production of Verdi’s biblically inspired “Nabucco.” The opera’s nine-performance run opened at the Civic Opera House on Jan. 23. Lyric debutant Matthew Ozawa directed this modern […]
