Another one by me from earlier this week via @blockclubchi.bsky.social: Long-Delayed Plans For Bronzeville Pete’s Fresh Market To Go Before City Panel Next Month blockclubchicago.org/2026/07/21/l...

Long-Delayed Plans For Bronzeville Pete’s Fresh Market To Go Before City Panel Next Month

Developer Zeb McLaurin hopes the Plan Commission will approve a land sale needed to jumpstart the project that now includes a hardware store, medical office space, bank, cafe and apartments.

blockclubchicago.org

One of my latest stories for @blockclubchi.bsky.social featuring photographs by Kameron Clepper! So grateful I got to report this story with Mr. Bolden, his family, neighbors, and friends.

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 2w ago

Abraham Bolden, the 1st first Black Secret Service agent to guard a president, was honored with a sign unveiling in Auburn Gresham. blockclubchi.co/4aX9CGg

Chicago folks, specifically local doulas and midwives! Have you ever worked with a client in a hospital? Been hired by a hospital directly? Know someone this sounds like? If so, I'd love to hear from you for a story I'm working on for the @chicagoreader.com! My DMs are open! Orgs are fine too!

New reporting from me via @blockclubchi.bsky.social, for those of you looking for something to do this weekend, especially if you're a local wildlife enthusiast: "Loved By Birders, Far South Side's Marian R. Byrnes Park Hosts Grand Reopening" blockclubchicago.org/2026/06/12/m...

Loved By Birders, Far South Side's Marian R. Byrnes Park Hosts Grand Reopening

Byrnes Park, a popular birding spot on the Far South Side, will celebrate new amenities such as scenic overlooks, boardwalks, a shade pavilion and improved access.

blockclubchicago.org

Any Chicago birders out there planning to be at Marian R. Byrnes Park on Saturday or have been there before? If so, I'd love to talk to you for a story I'm working on for @blockclubchi.bsky.social! Reply to this post or DM me if you're interested and can chat today or tomorrow!

I Love Boosters got me thinking. Where are all the other Black fashion films? open.substack.com/pub/maiazine...

seriously. where are all the black fashion films?

🎥 'cause you know i've been looking.

open.substack.com

It's been an exciting few days over here in the world of "Maia," after me and my former @raceandequityproject.org colleagues won three awards at the 49th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards from the Chicago Headline Club on Friday, which I'm still buzzing from three days later!

📸 by @jamiekelterdavis.bsky.social @colinbphoto.bsky.social Ash Lane @jimvondruska.bsky.social @quinnmyers.bsky.social @ataviawrotethis.bsky.social Jeremy Battle Mack Liederman Zoey Duchene @avhndz.bsky.social @thewayoftheid.bsky.social @maiamcdonald.me

We had some amazing pics in @blockclubchi.bsky.social this week, check it out! This Week In Photos: May Day Rally Draws Thousands, Bird News Aplenty And More blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/08/t...

What did I do yesterday? Reported on another Golden Apple win, this time over in Armour Square! Beloved South Side Science Teacher Snags Golden Apple Award: 'She Has Been An Inspiration' blockclubchicago.org/2026/05/08/b...

Beloved South Side Science Teacher Snags Golden Apple Award: 'She Has Been An Inspiration'

Misty Richmond, a 10-year veteran at James Ward Elementary, aims to make "science come alive" for students. She's the fourth Chicago educator to be honored by the Golden Apple Foundation this week.

blockclubchicago.org

On Monday, I also covered Leo High School Principal Shaka Rawls' Golden Apple Award ceremony, which was, honestly, a lot of fun.

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The principal of Leo High School won a Golden Apple Award for leading the high school he once attended. blockclubchi.co/3PoDsf0

I attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago's annual senior fashion show on Friday and got to talk to a few of the graduating designers about their work! As you can probably imagine, it was a very cool show, and I absolutely loved covering this story! Check it out!

Block Club Chicago@blockclubchi.bsky.social · 3mo ago

The School of the Art Institute's fashion showcase gave students space to "go against the grain." blockclubchi.co/4dmAsZH

🧵

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@mayor.nyc.gov · 3mo ago

While the world’s eyes are on fashion’s biggest night, we’re turning ours to the garment, retail, and warehouse workers who keep the industry running. From true love found on the picket line to a free tailoring school out of a Brooklyn basement — meet the New Yorkers who make it all possible.

BREAKING: Virginia voters approve a Democratic redistricting plan that could allow the party to pick up as many as four new seats in the midterm elections, NBC News projects.

Virginia voters approve Democrats' redistricting plan, giving the party a midterm election boost

NBC News projects Democrats will be able to enact a new proposed map designed to net them up to four seats, as they push for control of the narrowly divided House.

nbcnews.to

NBC projects that YES will win in Virginia.

NBC News@nbcnews.com · 4mo ago

BREAKING: Virginia voters approve a Democratic redistricting plan that could allow the party to pick up as many as four new seats in the midterm elections, NBC News projects.

Written by me for @theprogressivemag.bsky.social! I'm really proud of it so give it a read and let me know what you think! — On Chicago’s Trains, Homeless Outreach Workers Meet People Where They Are progressive.org/magazine/on-...

On Chicago’s Trains, Homeless Outreach Workers Meet People Where They Are

For too many Chicagoans, public transit is one of the only accessible places to shelter during the brutal winter.

progressive.org

Another story by me for @chicagoreader.com on last weekend's Expo Chicago art festival, with photos by Kirk Williamson: Best dressed chicagoreader.com/visual-arts/...

Best dressed - Chicago Reader

The Reader was on site at EXPO Chicago 2026’s Thursday evening Vernissage, here are the best street-style looks we saw.

chicagoreader.com

I've covered reported on the Chicago South Side Birth Center multiple times the last few years, so it was nice to be able write this update for the Reader! Construction on the project from doula and midwife Jeanine Valrie Logan is now underway, with the center expected to open early next year.

Chicago Reader@chicagoreader.com · 4mo ago

South Chicago leaders break ground on the long-awaited Black midwife–led birth center, slated to open in 2027. https://bit.ly/4e6X4yv

Get into her

Ida B Wells' Winchester Rifle@dytsras.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Let it be known that Katherine Johnson was the reason for the first astronauts in space. And now Vanessa Wyche, head of the Johnson Space Center and NASA's highest ranking civil servant, is the responsible for the longest manned space flight in history

huge thank you to everyone involved in this mission for reminding us of the best of humanity and I am tremendously glad it all went off as planned space is pretty cool and so, in many cases, are people

Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social · 4mo ago

HOUSTON (AP) — Artemis II’s astronauts return to Earth, ending a record-breaking trip around the moon with a splashdown in the Pacific.

Black women have advanced the human species so, so much. Just unrivaled brilliance, every generation.

Nicki Washington, Ph.D.@drnickiw.bsky.social · 4mo ago

As the Integrity crew splashed down TO THE MINUTE of their estimated arrival and hit the BULLSEYE, this is a reminder that Katherine Johnson was an absolute genius. My God. #NASA #ArtemisII

so happy for my emotional support astronauts

It's really a blessing that this is the only thing to go wrong so far but how funny to have this problem right near the end lol

Mel Buer@melbuer.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Lmao everything went exactly as planned, they hit their target right in the center and now can’t figure out a freaking sat phone lmao

This NASA coverage some of the most astonishing live television I’ve ever seen.

I'm moonscrolling

If it were me, my first words to the recovery crew would be "moon's haunted."

Katie Mack@astrokatie.com · 4mo ago

Splashdown! Vehicle is stable and upright. “A perfect bulls-eye splash for Integrity and its four astronauts!” #Artemis

Is this not one of the most spectacular things you've ever seen? I mean, how utterly amazing! Truly!

Phil Lewis@phillewis.bsky.social · 4mo ago

HOUSTON (AP) — Artemis II’s astronauts return to Earth, ending a record-breaking trip around the moon with a splashdown in the Pacific.

BREAKING: The Artemis II astronauts have safely splashed down after their historic 10-day mission around the moon. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4K_a...

it's been 15 years since we've had a landing, 30+ since we've had a splashdown. what a proud accomplishment for science, engineering, and humanity.

despite the horrors in the world, we sent humans further into the cosmos than we ever have before and they came home safe. and i think that’s pretty cool