Helping communities and journalists tell better stories since 1989.

Photo courtesy of Ivy Do

Public Narrative is thrilled to welcome Ivy Do as our new Digital Engagement Producer!

Ivy, a first-generation Vietnamese-American raised in New Orleans, has transitioned her deep-rooted passion for environmental studies and public health into the realm of digital storytelling.

After completing her degree at Illinois Wesleyan University, where she focused on International Environmental Sustainability, Ivy has actively engaged in public health initiatives, even presenting her research at conferences like the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Expo, where she advocated for community health workers to aid mental health outcomes for maternal and child health.

Now based in Chicago since 2022, Ivy is eager to explore and amplify the city's diverse cultural and socioeconomic narratives, bridging her background in public health with her commitment to media and community storytelling.

Join us in welcoming Ivy, and stay tuned as we share more about her journey and what led her to join the Public Narrative team in the coming weeks!

If you have any questions, please email us at engage@publicnarrative.org.

Jhmira Alexander, our President and Executive Director, has been featured on the cover of Chicago News Weekly!

The cover story delves into her role in shaping community journalism in Chicago through the impactful legacy of Public Narrative. Read more about her leadership and the influence of the 35-year-old community resource nonprofit.

Over the summer, Public Narrative hosted a half-day summit at YR Media’s newsroom and office in Pilsen, inviting Chicago youth, their parents, journalists, and community activators to discuss their relationship with the media. 

Young people shared their thoughts on current events and issues, sharing stories of how these topics impact them in their own communities. They expressed concerns about media representation of youth and vocalized their wishes to be included in the conversation. Many of the adults in the room reflected on their own relationship with the news as children. Some watched youth-produced media, while others remembered the news being for “adults only.”

Together, participants shared solutions and envisioned new pathways within the media ecosystem to better represent their communities and reaffirm young people as the next generation of storytellers. Get a glimpse of the day through our photo highlights here.

Among our youth engagements over the years, we’ve created spaces for youth to connect with media makers and share impactful experiences, perspectives and even opportunities. Check out our first “State of the Public Narrative Address,” which also inspired this event.

Thank you to all of our participants—our young people, media makers, and community leaders—for their energy and contributions to shifting narratives about youth and media.

Special thanks to our partner, YR Media, for hosting us and to Wayfarer Foundation for sponsoring the event.

Photos by Sulyiman Stokes for Public Narrative.

Are you interested in supporting Public Narrative programs?

You can donate to our organization or contact Public Narrative at info@publicnarrative.org to explore alternative ways to contribute financially.

Thank you!

You are receiving this email because you are part of Public Narrative's community. Know someone else who could use this information? Forward this email to them!

Public Narrative is a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to cultivating narrative change and supporting community-oriented journalism since 1989.