In September 2020, the Chicago Public Schools went into its second term of remote learning. At issue were the approximately 115,000 students, predominantly African American and LatinX who were without the technology required to “do” school. In Belmont-Cragin, a predominantly LatinX community on Chicago’s northwest side that held the city’s second highest number of COVID19 cases in November, parents struggle to get on line, get computers and keep their children from falling behind. This episode explores the efforts by Northwest Side Center for Housing to provide financial assistance, computers and technology needs.

Alex spent 18 months incarcerated in a county jail in Wisconsin as a detainee of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE ambushed Beto after a routine check in and incarcerated him for 9 months before he was deported to Mexico. Both men fought deportation with the help of the Organized Communities Against Deportations (OCAD), a Chicago organization supporting undocumented people. This episode explores the harrowing, often untold conditions of immigration detention and the damage done to detainees psyches.

Davetta Brooks and Pastor Eartha Sutton live in the Congressman George Collins Apartments, a section 8 building for seniors on Chicago’s southside. Davetta moved in about 8 years ago, and immediately was confronted with deplorable living conditions such as pests and filth. Over the years she tried to address the conditions with management and was met with intimidation and threats. It wasn’t until about a year ago that she became connected through the new alderman of the 25th ward, Byron Sigcho Lopez to the Jane Addams Senior Caucus. With the help of the senior caucus, Davetta joined up with Pastor Eartha Sutton and many others in the building to build a Tenants Association together, and make demands of the building management collectively to get their needs addressed. When COVID-19 hit, the seniors at George Collins and seniors across the city organized to get a city ordinance passed to provide wellness checks for residents living in low income senior buildings during emergencies. This episode showcases the powerful and vigilant organizing of the seniors at Jane Addams Senior Caucus.

Englewood, on Chicago’s south side, is cast as one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the world. But activists and residents are challenging the stereotypes and changing the narrative with community initiatives, services and beautification projects. Community activists like Asiaha Butler and Tonika Johnson have been working to show the world a different side of Englewood, while also providing free services, community engagement, and public art in order to lift up those most in need. This episode goes into Englewood as residents reclaim space and counteract its negative media image.

A-gen-cy  noun: action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect.

Too often the actions of real people of color making real change in their neighborhoods and lives are ignored in the media. Even worse are portrayals that people of color lack the agency to address the wrongs and find solutions that empowers residents and improves conditions. Too often these stories are told from outside, not inside, the community.  

Change Agent is a podcasts series by Chicagoans trained to tell stories of their neighborhood transformations and the folks who make that happen.  Developed by Judith McCray and Maurice Bisaillon of Juneteenth Productions, Change Agents is a partnership between community organizers and emerging journalists of color who are provided the tools to produce professionally crafted episodes that highlight issues, challenges and ground level efforts for change.