In this week’s issue of Emptying the Notebook, I shared how ESPN has been trying to ingratiate themselves with conservative sports fans. Tap in and subscribe jemele-hill.beehiiv.com

NEW — The TRiiBE invites readers to Rooted Out West, a two-day community gathering taking place on Chicago’s West Side on Aug. 29-30, 2026. It’s our first public event at our East Garfield Park studio, in conjunction with the release of “Out West III.” thetriibe.com/2026/07/the-...

The TRiiBE invites you to Rooted Out West, a two-day summit • The TRiiBE

As the first public event at The TRiiBE’s East Garfield Park studio, the gathering brings together neighbors, storytellers, archivists, community leaders, institutions, and public officials to continu...

thetriibe.com

Searching for home and ancestral memory while dealing with grief and racism is a core aspect of the Black experience in America. @tiffany.thetriibe.com weaves all these themes together beautifully, in her latest literary work. thetriibe.com/interactive/...

Out West: In search of my ancestral home • The TRiiBE

A Sankofa journey to my grandmother’s Mississippi birthplace became a search for ancestral memory and led me to Jim Webb’s West Side Builders School where young Black men reclaim that same Southern in...

thetriibe.com

The link to the film is included and it’s really moving. Highly recommend.

The TRiiBE@thetriibe.com · 2w ago

NEW — ‘Hide & Seek’ is the story of a queer, immigrant family seen through the eyes of a child. The film contributed a thoughtful perspective to the conversation of how immigration laws and enforcement affects families. thetriibe.com/2026/07/what...

NEW — The circumstances surrounding Nolan Wells’ death and subsequent investigation reminds many of a mother’s crusade for justice for 14-year-old Chicagoan Emmett Till, who was abducted and brutally murdered in Money, Mississippi, in 1955. thetriibe.com/2026/07/a-mo...

A mother’s search for answers: Nolan Wells’ family wants to know exactly what happened to him • The TRiiBE

Nolan Wells' family came to Chicago, the home of Emmett Till, to put pressure on Mississippi officials to get it right this time. They left supported by a community of people committed to seeking just...

thetriibe.com

NEW — TRIIBE EIC Tiffany Walden recaps the reporting she did to track down the full voter roll call from a recent City Council committee vote to reject Mayor Johnson’s millionaire tax ballot question for the November election. thetriibe.com/reshape/why-...

Why is it so hard to track Chicago City Council committee votes? • The TRiiBE

Every vote should be seen. Every vote should be heard. And every vote should be part of the permanent public record.

thetriibe.com

The African Festival of the Arts will return to Chicago’s Washington Park on Labor Day weekend this year. thetriibe.com/2026/07/afri...

African Festival of the Arts leans on community as fears of immigration enforcement reshape Chicago's festival season • The TRiiBE

While other cultural events have faced uncertainty amid immigration enforcement, organizers of the African Fest say decades of community support will keep the celebration going.

thetriibe.com

NEW — In this essay, 23-year-old Caleb Dunson traces a lineage that complicates the easy narratives of the “American Dream.” “Though my family’s story is as American as apple pie, I still do not know how to relate to this country.” thetriibe.com/2026/06/essa...

ESSAY: I didn't choose America. I inherited it. • The TRiiBE

As America marks its 250th birthday, this personal essay examines what it means to inherit a nation built off the backs of our ancestors, shaped by their sacrifices and still wrestling with the promis...

thetriibe.com

NEW — Chicago’s community leaders warn that ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians will usher in a new phase of enforcement for Black immigrant communities. thetriibe.com/2026/06/ever...

'Everybody's going to be living in fear': Chicago's Haitian community reacts to TPS decision • The TRiiBE

Community leaders warn that ending Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and Syrians will usher in a new phase of enforcement for Black immigrant communities.

thetriibe.com

NEW — Emmett Till’s life was tragically cut short at the tender age of 14. Commemorating what could have been his 85th birthday on July 25, a new art exhibit at Blanc Gallery is bringing together artists and community members to reflect on his humanity. thetriibe.com/2026/06/more...

More than a martyr: Chicago artists reflect on 'Emmett Till at 85' • The TRiiBE

At Blanc Gallery in Chicago, the “From Memory to Movement: Emmett at 85” exhibit brings together Chicago artists and community members to reflect on Till’s humanity and what it means to turn remembran...

thetriibe.com

New from me: thetriibe.com/2026/06/what...

What building The TRiiBE taught me about pain • The TRiiBE

In partnership with the Black Girl Wellness Fest, TRiiBE Co-founder Morgan Elise Johnson examines the personal toll of building a media company while managing her reproductive health.

thetriibe.com

NEW — Memorial services to honor the life and legacy of civil rights and political leader Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. will be hosted in Chicago, South Carolina and Washington, D.C., over the next week. thetriibe.com/2026/02/memo...

Memorial services for Rev. Jesse Jackson to be hosted at Rainbow PUSH • The TRiiBE

A series of memorial services in honor of Rev. Jesse Jackson, a world-renowned civil rights and political leader, will be hosted in Chicago, South Carolina and Washington, D.C. over the next week.

thetriibe.com

The TRiiBE has our eyes on the state 👀 thetriibe.com/2026/02/lead...

Leaders on Gov. Pritzker’s proposed budget: Illinois is thriving, but Black communities are still struggling • The TRiiBE

Gov. JB Pritzker celebrated Illinois’ economic gains in his budget address, but Black leaders say billions in spending must more directly address long-standing inequities.

thetriibe.com

Da Bears have released a statement committing to build in Hammond after Indiana passed the Hammond stadium bill. Could be the reason this hearing was canceled. abc7chicago.com/amp/post/chi...

Corli Jay@corli.thetriibe.com · 6mo ago

Traveled to Springfield to cover Bears stadium deal only for the meeting to be canceled. Haven’t been able to talk to Chairperson Curtis Tarver II; learned that he’s not even in Springfield. Not clear when the meeting got canceled.

Traveled to Springfield to cover Bears stadium deal only for the meeting to be canceled. Haven’t been able to talk to Chairperson Curtis Tarver II; learned that he’s not even in Springfield. Not clear when the meeting got canceled.

NEW — The Chicago Bears celebrate Black History Month with a "Love, Legacy & Chicago" roundtable discussion in partnership with The TRiiBE and featuring historian Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, Bears VP Brian McCaskey, and Bears content presenter Jasmine Baker. youtu.be/e5ZJ2fQIACk?...

Love, Legacy & Chicago | Bears Black History Month Roundtable

YouTube video by Chicago Bears

youtu.be

It’s been more than a year since the Chicago Sun-Times started tracking the monthly price of 35 common grocery items at Jewel-Osco, Mariano’s, Target and Walmart. The verdict? What went up mostly didn’t come down.

Grocery prices in Chicago have climbed double digits in the last year despite Trump's vow to lower them

chicago.suntimes.com

“Homan added that with Walz’s cooperation, the state prisons are now helping immigration officers, such as sharing information related to non-citizen incarcerated people.”

Politico@politico.com · 6mo ago

Homan offers praise for Minnesota’s Walz and Frey on immigration talks

The Department of Justice left multiple unredacted photos of fully nude women or girls exposed as part of the latest dump of more than 3.5 million pages of Epstein files. www.404media.co/doj-released...

DOJ Released Unredacted Nude Images in Epstein Files

A note from investigators in the files said some images Epstein had were "POSSIBLE CSAM."

404media.co

Finally, a few Republicans in Congress put a check on Trump’s power. I hope this energy catches fire.

Kyle Griffin@kylegriffin1.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Breaking MS NOW: In a major defeat for Mike Johnson, 3 House Republicans bucked their leaders to block legislation that would have restricted Congress' ability to strike down Trump’s tariffs. The final tally was 214-217, with 3 Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.

Watching Rome’s evolution over the past year has been a joy 🥹

Mark Simon (he/him)@marksimon.bsky.social · 6mo ago

New journalist interview: Jerome "Rome J" Johnson We talk about covering Black culture in Chicago - music, sports, and fashion ... and how a car salesman becomes a journalist This is a good one ... @romej.thetriibe.com @thetriibe.com LISTEN: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...

New journalist interview: Jerome "Rome J" Johnson We talk about covering Black culture in Chicago - music, sports, and fashion ... and how a car salesman becomes a journalist This is a good one ... @romej.thetriibe.com @thetriibe.com LISTEN: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/j...

As painful as it is, the media and narrative shapers need to be reviewing the Epstein files to understand how they controlled narratives. None of this happens without PR and narrative control.

Last year, I emailed Chicago’s chief homelessness officer, Sendy Soto, as well as spokespeople for both Soto & Mayor Johnson, six times. I wanted to understand their approach to evicting unhoused Chicagoans from the shelters they build to survive. No response. chicagoreader.com/news/housing...

Chicago's encampment closures are ‘unconscionable’ - Chicago Reader

Public encampments provide resources and community for people experiencing homelessness, but city crews repeatedly evict residents.

chicagoreader.com

I love that Chicago is using policies and power to feed people

The TRiiBE@thetriibe.com · 6mo ago

NEW — A newly redesigned on-campus food market will provide free food for students at Kennedy-King College in Englewood. Statesmen Market is an extension of Chicago City College’s former food pantry, and was celebrated with a grand opening ceremony on Tuesday. thetriibe.com/2026/02/a-re...

FROM THE ARCHIVES — It’s Black History Month 🔴🟢⚫️ Every Chicagoan should know the history of Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. His family’s settlement at the mouth of the Chicago River is the heart from which the city of Chicago was built. thetriibe.com/2022/02/the-...

The settlement that DuSable built • The TRiiBE

Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable’s settlement at the mouth of the Chicago River is the heart from which the city of Chicago was built.

thetriibe.com

FULL STORY: The order directs members of the Chicago Police Department to document actions by agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection and attempt to identify those responsible for suspected misconduct or criminal violations. @wttw.bsky.social

Mayor Johnson Signs Executive Order Designed to Lay ‘Groundwork’ to Prosecute Federal Agents for Actions During Immigration Raids

“If the federal government will not hold these rogue actors accountable, then Chicago will do everything in our power to bring these agents to justice,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

news.wttw.com

Best political ad of the cycle has dropped 😂

Kat Abughazaleh@katmabu.bsky.social · 6mo ago

I'm Kat Abughazaleh and I approve this message.

!!!!!!!

Chris⚖️Justice@chrisjustice01.bsky.social · 6mo ago

🚨TONIGHT’S PROTEST IN MINNEAPOLIS IS INSANE: CNN is STUNNED. Share this widely! “I've covered many protests… I've not seen a crowd like this before.” It’s 8 degrees. “It is freezing, but nothing, nothing is stopping these people.” This isn’t a rally. It’s a movement. @calltoactivism.bsky.social