Maudlyne Ihejirika

Chicago Chronicles Columnist, Staff Reporter

Maudlyne Ihejirika is an award-winning, urban affairs reporter, columnist and author with experience in journalism, public relations and government. She holds a B.A. in journalism from University of Iowa, an M.S.J. from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University and an honorary Doctorate from Saint Xavier University. She writes the Sun-Times “Chicago Chronicles,” long-form columns on “people and places that make Chicago tick,” with a focus on black and brown communities. Her honors include the prestigious Studs Terkel Award, top national and local awards from the Society of Professional Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists, and several civic awards. She’s president of the Chicago Journalists Association and the National Association of Black Journalists Chicago. Her expertise in urban affairs, immigration and refugee issues, and social justice has led to appearances on CNN, FOX, ABC, CBS and NPR. She’s a frequent guest contributor on WTTW’s “Chicago Tonight: Week In Review” and FOX32’s “Good Day Chicago.” Follow her at @Maudlynei on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

As the Climate Summit continues in Glasgow, a crisis unfolds in Madagascar, where 1 million are on the brink of the world’s first famine caused solely by climate change, and an animated short film at the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival drums home both the climate and refugee crises.
A text by McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, opining that the parents of two deceased children, Jaslyn Adams and Adam Toledo, “failed those kids,” cut like a knife, said Jaslyn’s mom, who now demands an apology.
Veterans Day is a week away. So the National Women Veterans United (NWVU) group celebrated contributions and stories of women veterans. Keynoting their event at the Sgt. Simone A. Robinson Military Women Veteran’s Center was former U.S. Soldier and POW Jessica Lynch.
“We’re already at a point where if we don’t effect change right now, it’s going to be detrimental to my generation, and the current leaders are not taking enough action,” said Mather High School senior Khan Ali.
Seeking respite from the reality of the news cycle, I found what I needed at Teatro Zinzanni, a 2 1/2-hour feast for the senses running thru Nov. 28 downtown. The comedic cirque show was the first to open to live audiences in the Loop after the pandemic shuttered theaters for 16 months.
Connie Haygood loved family. And not just her own, but the general concept of family. It’s what made her such a successful social worker, devoted to repairing and reunifying families — or protecting children when that was not possible — during nearly three decades as a Illinois Department of Children and Family Services caseworker.
Marion Flynn spent more than 22 years in service to myriad local and national nonprofit organizations.
Mr. Black, a political and civil rights activist, educator, historian, prolific author and revered elder statesman and griot of Chicago’s Black community, died Wednesday.