Mary Mitchell

Retired businessman Ed Gardner (center, in pink hat and sunglasses) led a march to demand equal opportunity in construction jobs. The group marched north on Western Avenue from 95th to 91st Streets.

Soft Sheen’s Edward G. Gardner showed what Black life could be

He built his family a beautiful home on the South Side of the city and co-founded a business that provided steady employment so others could do the same.

By Mary Mitchell

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot speaks to the media outside Manny’s Deli in the West Loop on Election Day on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023.

La Voz Chicago

COLUMNA: Lightfoot debería haber avanzado a la segunda vuelta, pero fue una lucha que no podía ganar

Lightfoot invirtió recursos municipales en vecindarios negros y latinos que fueron descuidados durante mucho tiempo.

By Mary Mitchell

Columnists

Mayor Lori Lightfoot was in a fight she couldn’t have won

With eight challengers vying for her seat, Lightfoot fought hard to stay in an elite club.

By Mary Mitchell

Columnists

R. Kelly’s ‘one more year’ is another slight for the R&B singer’s victims

If he survives, Kelly will be an old man when he walks out of prison. I can’t predict the future, but more than likely, Kelly will never have the fame and fortune that allowed him to lure underage girls into a sexual trap.

By Mary Mitchell

Nikole Hannah-Jones’ “The 1619 Project” is a Black history lesson now streaming on Hulu.

Columnists

With ‘The 1619 Project’ streaming on Hulu, Black History Month kicks off with a powerful message

Nearly 50 years ago, “Roots” told the African American story. “The 1619 Project” picks up where author Alex Haley left off.

By Mary Mitchell

Jonathan Jackson (right) alongside his father, Rev. Jesse Jackson, fills out a ballot Monday at the Dr. Martin Luther King Center Service Center at 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Columnists

With electoral victory, Jonathan Jackson keeps hope alive

Jonathan Jackson wins 1st Congressional District seat.

By Mary Mitchell

Columnists

Black women get a real hair scare

Tracee Ellis Ross’ “Hair Tales,” an ode to Black women’s hair that’s streaming on Hulu, comes at a time the notion that we can use chemical relaxers for years without harm to our health is being challenged in court.

By Mary Mitchell

Columnists

Now that R. Kelly’s locked up, maybe he can get some real help

And maybe his conviction and sentencing might also prompt other sexual abusers to get the psychiatric help they need before it’s too late.

By Mary Mitchell

Tanya Woods, a restorative justice proponent who runs the Westside Justice Center: “One would think that, if we kept punishing people, we would see less crime, but there’s no data to support that. When we take this approach, we are looking at people who can come back to communities. We are looking at actual accountability and not just punishment. And we are looking at creating new pathways to restoring and reconnecting communities that actually work.”

Columnists

The criminal justice system is a revolving door. Restorative justice might be a better way.

We keep punishing criminals, but that doesn’t result in less crime. With “R.J.,” “We are looking at actual accountability and not just punishment,” says one supporter of the approach.

By Mary Mitchell