This week, we helped host Richard Steele celebrate his 75th birthday. For the celebration, we were joined by music icons: • Mavis Staples • Gene Chandler Plus, after everything that the City of Chicago has been through this year, we thought we’d do Chicago a favor and suggest a few resolutions for the City. For that discussion, we were joined by: • Ben Joravsky, reporter with the Chicago Reader • Monroe Anderson, veteran journalist and commentator • John W. Fountain, columnist for the Chicago...

In “East Texas Hot Links”, a play by Eugene Lee, seven strong willed neighbors join forces to protect one of their own. The year is 1955, and times are changing in the Jim Crow South. But for all that changes, some things remain the same. We talked about the play, and how some of its themes connect with today’s realities. Host Richard Steele was joined by: • “East Texas Hot Links” director Ron OJ Parson, and • Alfred Wilson, who plays Columbus Frye Then, we revisited a story of learning to...

On this week's installment of the Barber Shop Show, we heard host Richard Steele's 2005 conversation with Sam Chatman. Sam is credited as one of the key people who has helped to build the “Chicago Stepper” sound and culture for decades. Then, as a follow-up to a recent program, we heard about a grassroots effort to supply healthy, local food to residents of South Shore. For that conversation, we were joined by: • Fred Carter • Dr. Jifunza Wright • Akin Carter The Barber Shop Show airs...

Dr. Conrad Worrill is retiring after 40 years at the Northeastern Illinois University Center for Inner City Studies. He’s spent the past 12 years as director of the center. Host Richard Steele talked to Dr. Worrill about his journey, as well as his transition to “elder hood”. Then, we revisited the story of a program offering at risk teens something special: an apology from the adults in their lives. For that conversation, we spoke with: • Enoch Muhammad, co-founder of Hip Hop Detoxx. The...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we heard about the outlook for a new grocery store to serve residents of the South Shore and South Chicago neighborhoods. The area has lacked a full-line grocery store since Dominick’s closed in 2013. For that conversation, we are joined by: •South Side Weekly contributing reporter Chloe Hadavas •Writer, performance poet, and South Shore native Nicole Bond Then, we heard Emma Farley’s report on Biking in Chicago. Bicycling Magazine named Chicago #1 on...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we heard from Dion Clarke, founder of the Harlem Fine Arts Show. Then, we heard about how a number of grassroots groups are trying to push for a whole new system for justice: one that does not include policing as we know it. We’ll talk about what that could look like with: •Maya Dukmasova, freelance reporter for the Chicago Reader Finally, we heard from Practically Speaking’s Audra Wilson about a young man who’s been working to bring parenting resources...

Doo wop is often thought of as a vocal tradition rooted on the East Coast, but back in the 1950s, Chicago had a number of influential doo-wop groups, including the Magnificents, the Eldorados, the Moonglows, the Spaniels, and the Flamingos. This holiday weekend, we revisited Richard Steele's 2006 conversation with Doo-Wop vocalist Johnny Keyes. We heard the stories... and the beautiful music. The Barber Shop Show airs Sundays at 9am on Vocalo 91.1FM. You can also stream live at vocalo.org. In...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we checked in with some our favorite local journalists and bloggers: •Monroe Anderson, veteran journalist and commentator •Lenox Magee, Freelance journalist and co-host of “The Sip” •Darryl Dennard, host of Chicago Speaks and Chicago Insight We got their perspectives on the recent local and national news headlines that caught their attention. They told us about developments in the news that they think are good news, and ones that they think are bad...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we talked about the results of the elections. We unpacked how the pundits and pollsters were so far off in their predictions. And we also asked what Trump’s first 100 days in office might mean for people of color, in particular. For that conversation, we were joined by: •Salim Muwakkil, WVON Radio Host and op-ed columnist for the Chicago Tribune •Sue Ontiveros, columnist and blogger for the Chicago Sun-Times •Delmarie Cobb, Political Strategist •Sylvia...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we caught up with two recent investigations from The Chicago Reporter. First, we heard about how the City of Chicago avoided using competitive bidding in its contract for police body cameras. We discussed how much that agreement cost taxpayers, as well as a new police reporting app. We were joined by: • Jonah Newman, investigative journalist with the Chicago Reporter • Channing Harris, creator of the app and website Excuse Me Officer Then, we heard about...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we spoke with reporting fellows from City Bureau, a grass roots journalism training program. One of their current projects is an investigation into lead exposure in Chicago. To talk about some of the findings of that project, we were joined City Bureau reporting fellows: • Nissa Rhee • Sarah Conway • Timna Axel Then, later in the show, we revisisted a conversation Richard has with Herb Kent back in 2008. The radio legend recently passed away at the age of...

On Chicago’s Near West Side, there’s a place where drug-addicted mothers can attempt to get sober while living with their children. The Women’s Treatment Center opened in 1991 in response to the crack epidemic but now caters to a wide variety of addicted women. This week, we listened to stories from mothers attempting to get sober. Later in the show, we heard about how a new Whole Foods is impacting the Englewood community. The Barber Shop Show airs Sundays at 9am on Vocalo 91.1FM. You...

Just about every month, we check-in with our favorite local journalists and bloggers. We get their perspectives on the recent local and national news headlines that caught their attention. They tell us what they think is the good news, and the bad news. Then, they tell us about those moments that made them go WTF!?! This month, we were joined by: • Kathy Chaney, managing editor of Ebony Magazine • Becky Vevea, WBEZ Education Reporter • Ken Davis, host of Chicago Newsroom on CAN-TV The...

Autumn is upon us. And, this year, there’s a lot happening in the world of Chicago Sports. This week on the show, we unpacked some of the biggest stories of the season. We spoke with: •Exavier Pope, host of the #SuitUp podcast and sports legal analyst •Evan Moore, DNA Info Chicago Contributor and freelance sports journalist Plus, we heard about a play called “How We Got On”. The play follows the story of teens navigating the hip hop community back in the 1980s. For that conversation, we...

Ta Nehisi Coates, author of “The Case for Reparations” and “Between the World and Me”, recently commented on Twitter “Chicago is the most beautiful city in America”. The comment was in response to Donald Trump’s characterization of Chicago during Monday night’s Presidential Debate. The post went viral. On Wednesday, Coates followed up with the comment “If Chicago ain't beautiful because of its murder rate, then neither is America. Chicago IS America… Arguably the MOST American big city.” He...

A number of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (or HBCUs) are seeing an uptick in enrollment after years of decline. On this installment of the Barber Shop Show, we heard about some theories regarding the student increases Then, Reclaimed Soul’s Ayana Contreras joined host Richard Steele to discuss some of the former HBCU students that have made an impact on the music scene. Plus, we revisited the story of a young rugby team based on the West Side of Chicago that’s beating the...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, we heard about a project through the Jane Addams Hull House Museum called “Making the West Side: Community Conversations on Neighborhood Change". Though a series of community programs, Hull House is working to document and celebrate the West Side: Past, Present, and Future. For that discussion, we heard from: • Jennifer Scott, Director of the Jane Addams Hull House Museum • Yolanda Knight, Program Officer at the Steans Family Foundation. Plus, we heard...

In her recent book, The South Side: A Portrait of Chicago and American Segregation, WBEZ’s Natalie Moore weaves together her reporting on neighborhoods like Chatham, Beverly and Bronzeville with her own family’s story to illustrate how deep segregation runs in Chicago. Natalie joined us at the shop. Plus, we revisited a story about how Chicago’s iconic two-flat buildings are being reimagined for the 21st Century. For that conversation, host Richard Steele was joined by: • Chris Bentley, who...

In his recent book, "Taking Bullets: Terrorism and Black Life in Twenty-first Century America", Haki Madhubuti starts a national debate on Black male empowerment. The debate is aimed towards empowering a generation that’s confronted with disparity and adversity on the streets of every city in America. Host Richard Steele was joined by: • Poet, educator, and activist Haki Madhubuti. Plus, we heard about a farmer’s market that’s helping to bring fresh produce and fresh ideas to the Roseland...

City Bureau and their crew of community documenters have been covering IPRA reform public meetings happening all over the city. They’re making transcripts and more available through the IPRA Tracker website. Host Richard Steele got an update with: • Andrea Hart, City Bureau’s education director, and • Trina Reynolds-Tyler, a City Bureau community documenter. And, Labor Day weekend will mark the 27th African Festival of the Arts, which will take place in Washington Park on Chicago’s South...

Just about every month, we round up our favorite local journalists and bloggers. We get their perspectives on the recent news headlines that caught their attention. We were joined by: • WBEZ education reporter Linda Lutton • Maudlyne Ihejirika, urban affairs reporter at the Chicago Sun-Times But this month, we also heard about "Escape From Nigeria: A Memoir of Faith, Love and War". In her recent book, Maudlyne Ihejirika shares the untold story of the courage her mother, Angelina Ihejirika....

This week on the Barber Shop Show, This year, the Black Harvest Film Festival will present Walk All Night: A Drum Beat Journey. Last year, we were joined by the filmmakers during their crowdfunding campaign. We got an update from them today. We also heard some highlights from the rest of the films playing at the Film Festival. We heard from: • co-producers Kate Benzschawel and • Mallory Sohmer, as well as • Drummer DaMonte Williams • Dionne Nicole Smith, Associate Director of Development,...

This week on the Barber Shop Show, We were joined by journalists from City Bureau. They’ve been doing a deep dive into the state of the Black Middle Class, particularly in Chicago’s Chatham community. The neighborhood has been a stronghold of the Black Middle class for fifty years; but with Black Flight out of Chicago increasing, what’s the future of Chatham? We heard from: • Latricia Polk, and • Adeshina Emmanuel, journalists with City Bureau. plus we revisited Ayana Contreras' 2013...

This week on the Barber Shop Show... A few months back, New York Times survey found that many Chicagoans have “lost faith in [our] essential institutions, including the police, courts, and the public schools”. Meanwhile, census data shows that Chicago is truly becoming a tale of two cities. But what does all of this mean for residents’ quality of life? We talked about the data, and about the future of Chicago with guests: • Stephen Serio, photographer and multimedia journalist who produced...

This week, we checked in with some our favorite local journalists and bloggers for our monthly mash-up. They told us about developments in the news that they think are good news, and ones that they think are bad news. Host Richard Steele was joined by: • WBEZ Education reporter Becky Vevea • Ben Joravsky, reporter with the Chicago Reader • Monroe Anderson, veteran journalist and commentator And this month, we’ll also hear about a new book chronicling the hidden histories of cartoonists of...