In the Loop with Sasha-Ann Simons

That was the question CNN recently posed in a powerful video series “The First Time I Realized I Was Black.” Interviewees were asked to think back to the first moment they remember being treated differently because of the way they looked.

An exhibit in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood traces the effect the AIDS epidemic has had on the arts—from subversive representations to loud, explicit works to draw attention to the needs of the community. Many Chicago activists from the gay and lesbian community say artists were crucial in raising awareness and getting much-needed resources. We talk to curator Jonathan David Katz about Art AIDS America’s featured works and why he thinks it’s important to bring this to the public now. 

For families and property owners in Englewood the neighborhood is starting to look a lot differently due to an expansion project by a railroad company. Norfolk Southern is using its eminent domain power to take over dozens of homes in a 20-block area in the predominantly African-American neighborhood. The area now looks like a construction zone except for three property owners that are still fighting to keep their land. Morning Shift talks to LaRisa Lynch, reporter for the Chicago Reporter about the remaining property owners and neighborhoods eminent domain typically affects.

Morning Shift talks about the life and career of local author Amy Krouse Rosenthal with Justin Kaufmann, host of The Download on WGN Radio. He started The Writers’ Block Party on WBEZ with Krouse Rosenthal. We also hear from John Green, author of the youth adult novel The Fault In Our Stars. Krouse Rosenthal was his mentor and friend.

Morning Shift wraps up a series on getting your financial house in order with a conversation about home buying.

Author and journalist John Wasik joins Morning Shift to talk about his new book, Lightning Strikes: Timeless Lessons in Creativity from the Life & Work of Nikola Tesla.

Gov. Bruce Rauner appear on 'Morning Shift' to take questions from callers.

Morning Shift talks to journalist Helaine Olen about how to handle your finances if you experience an unexpected illness, divorce, or death in the family.

Chicago’s Oscar Brown Jr. was a real renaissance man--singer, songwriter, actor, poet and civil rights activist. He was also a playwright.  In 1966, Brown debuted a stage revue called Joy 66. The Chicago Tribune’s theater critic at the time wrote that Brown “performs like the polished star he has been for years, and directs smartly. His gift for both comedy and drama are in sharp focus."  Joy 66 was a big success, with tickets in high demand for the production at a theater on Rush St. Brown wanted to bring a production to the South Side, but there were issues.  Brown’s daughter Maggie, a solid vocalist in her own right, sat down with Reclaimed Soul’s Ayana Contreras to talk about what those issues were, and her father’s ingenious way of getting around it.

Fear and uncertainty are weighing heavily on many immigrants in the U.S. in the wake of President Trump’s crackdown on undocumented people and push for deportations.  So what should immigrants -- documented and undocumented -- be concerned about? What options and rights do they have if ICE shows up at their home or workplace?