Change Agents

I had a mindset shift. My initial mind was this community is horrible. Then I'm meeting phenomenal people and hearing phenomenal narratives. I'm like, wait, these stories are not told.
Asiaha Butler, Englewood: Reframing the Narrative

Our Stories

Season 1

COVID19 rocked the world in 2020.

Life, work, school and activity came to a screeching halt for most as stay-at-home orders and other restrictions dramatically changed how we interacted and lived. Despite these restrictions, the lack of information and a vaccine, community organizations, organizers and activists stepped up and in to fill the void. They provided food and other basics while keeping to their charge to improve the conditions of their communities and lives of their citizens.

Season One Episodes

Taken Away

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When We Organize, We Win

{"id":6,"season":1,"episode_number":null,"name":"When We Organize, We Win","subtitle":"Episode Two","description":"Davetta Brooks and Pastor Eartha Sutton live in the Congressman George Collins Apartments, a section 8 building for seniors on Chicago\u2019s 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\u2019t 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.","when":"2021-01-12T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-7395751\"><\/div>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/7395751-when-we-organize-we-win.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-7395751&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/Bg0bzR6FMjpXplxzwN0gErxI9iHUmAz4bTJJ5PoL.jpg"}

Englewood: Reframing the Narrative

{"id":4,"season":1,"episode_number":null,"name":"Englewood: Reframing the Narrative","subtitle":"Episode Three","description":"Englewood, on Chicago\u2019s 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.","when":"2021-01-13T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-7395292\"><\/div>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/7395292-englewood-reframing-the-narrative.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-7395292&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/bRRlzPaZEuzhmJWTVvucJQVvbQx8KvHyjVPuouyc.jpg"}

One Code: One Austin

{"id":1,"season":1,"episode_number":1,"name":"One Code: One Austin\u200b","subtitle":"Episode Four","description":"Known for its high number of shootings and open illegal drug market, the Austin community on Chicago\u2019s far west side struggles between its bad rap, high levels of poverty and lack of jobs and resources. Providing a life line to its residents are organizations like the Institute For Non-Violence Chicago, Westside Health Authority, and Amplify, doing their part to rebuild the community and it\u2019s name. This episode follows Artimmeo, a re-entry specialist at the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago, and others as they\u2019ve established a code to support and assist residents in need.","when":"2021-01-14T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-7396369\"><\/div>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/7396369-one-code-one-austin.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-7396369&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/zSR8MXlnWfEomlYvdCbcSYbCDTDINhoL3CMromLF.jpg"}

Learning on the Line

{"id":5,"season":1,"episode_number":null,"name":"Learning on the Line","subtitle":"Episode Five","description":"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 \u201cdo\u201d school. In Belmont-Cragin, a predominantly LatinX community on Chicago\u2019s northwest side that held the city\u2019s 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.","when":"2021-01-15T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-7396141\"><\/div>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/7396141-learning-on-the-line.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-7396141&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/eGL5PpduZNi4YbO7Hsq92ePsWJUcGHzDr6LWgSWB.jpg"}

People v. Environmental Racism

{"id":3,"season":1,"episode_number":null,"name":"People v. Environmental Racism","subtitle":"Episode Six","description":"Chicago\u2019s southeast side community has strong views on environmental health due to a history of being the City of Chicago\u2019s dumping ground. The newest injustice: Reserve Management Group is slated to bring the highly controversial 100-year-old General Iron shredding facility from Lincoln Park to the south east side community in 2021. Deep in the fight to stop this are community activists and organizations like the Alliance of the South East, struggling to be heard and have a seat at the decision-making table. This episode examines the actions and proposed solutions at the heart of grassroots activism.","when":"2021-01-16T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-8131727\"><\/div>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/8131727-people-v-environmental-racism.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-8131727&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/q58i5mEBM88MoqPOWDpkhEhO1vgXJr8fy4ZwkzAw.jpg"}

A New Hospitality Labor Movement

Trust, Learning, Caring

Do the Math

Change Agents Presents: Our Stories, Our World

{"id":10,"season":1,"episode_number":null,"name":"Change Agents Presents: Our Stories, Our World","subtitle":"Episode 4","description":"Here at Change Agents, we occasionally hear another podcast that is so closely aligned with our mission that we feel compelled to share it with you. \r\n\r\nOur Stories, Our World is one such podcast.  This youth lead, limited series presents citizen-centered stories focused on three thematic pillars: public safety, public health and public education.  Based on an innovative concept - each episode of Our Stories, Our World deconstructs a single photograph to tell stories of Chicago-based grassroots activism.  \r\n\r\nThis is episode four of Our Stories, Our World, a conversation between community organizer and abolitionist Tynetta Hill-Muhammad and journalist Andrea Hernandez.  Hill-Muhammad, is the Chicago Chapter Organizer for Black Youth Project 100.  Their conversation is inspired by a photo taken on Aug. 19, 2021, at a \u201cDefund the Police.\u201drally held outside of a CPD district office in Englewood. \r\n\r\nIf you enjoy the episode you can find the entire series wherever you get your podcast.","when":"2022-01-03T00:00:00.000000Z","embed_code":"<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-9827688\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1600336\/9827688-change-agents-presents-the-podcast-our-stories-our-world.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-9827688&player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>","avatar_url":"https:\/\/cdn.changeagentsthepodcast.com\/images\/originals\/2zRkwk8yKBka6ZZmoAFq3XYmg58RaIUGVlGf7dlP.png"}

Our Community

The following grassroots organizations serving communities of color across Chicago land partnered with the Change Agents journalists, generating authenticity, insight and trusted connections for our stories.

Englewood

Residents Association of Greater Englewood Englewood Arts Collective Grow Greater Englewood

Metro Chicago

Jane Addams Senior Caucus Organized Communities Against Deportations Chifresh Kitchen

Behind the Scenes

Maribel Ang

is a visual artist born and raised in Chicago. For the past several years, she's held educational support roles for teens and adults across the city. Maribel is never without her dog, Cubby, or a pair of knitting needles.

Ariel Mejia

is a Chicago native who came to audio art and radio production by way of feminist praxis, community organizing and sexual health education. Her work has been featured on the BBC show Shortcuts from Falling Tree Productions, as well as on The Heart, and Antibody, a podcast series from Jacobin Magazine’s The Dig. Ariel also teaches audio storytelling to teens at After School Matters and aspires to become a skilled tap dancer.

Funding provided by the Field Foundation and the Chicago Community Trust. City Bureau is our fiscal sponsor.

Other Seasons

Season Three

Season Two

Season One

Blog Posts

February 2 2023 Meet The Change Agents! Meet The Change Agents! (L-R):Change Agents Grace Del Vecchio and Jeb Backe chat about the latest developments in journalism. (Photo by... February 2 2023 MEET OUR NEW PRODUCER, LESLIE! MEET OUR NEW PRODUCER, LESLIE! (Photo by Emma Soto) Leslie is a proud Communications graduate from Northeastern Illinois University. In... January 17 2023 Meet Grace Del Vecchio! MEET OUR NEW PRODUCER, GRACE! (Photo by Emma Soto) Grace Del Vecchio is an award-winning journalist originally from Philadelphia, based in... December 22 2022 Meet Jeb Backe! MEET OUR NEW PRODUCER, JEB! (Photo by Emma Soto) Jeb is a journalist and audio producer from Pennsylvania. They got their start in college... December 5 2022 Meet Wendy Wei! MEET OUR NEW PRODUCER, WENDY! (Photo by Emma Soto) Wendy is an independent journalist in Chicago, where she focuses on international... December 5 2022 Season 3 Coming Soon! (L - R): Maurice Bisaillon, Wendy Wei, Judith McCray, Leslie Hortado, Grace Del Vecchio, Jocelyn Martinez, Jeb Backe and Aaron Allen...

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Contact

If you have a story idea or know of activists organizations working to bring solutions to the needs of a Chicago-land community of color, please send us a message.