Balancing the Public Narrative through Civic Engagement
We exist to balance the public narrative. We do that by actively diversifying the voices participating in the news by training and connecting diverse community members to media. Our primary approach is to amplify the affected nonprofit and neighborhood voices to ensure that they are included in the conversations about issues that affect them. Change with Us!
UPCOMING EVENTS
OPEN HOUSE
Join us for a special open house to address narrative change Saturday, February 22, 2020 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Learn how you can help change narratives in public safety, health and education. To register, please click here.
#ILCountMeIn2020 GOTC
On Wednesday, February 12, 2020, Forefront will bring the IL Census 2020 Get Out the Count (GOTC) Convening at Chicago Marriott Southwest in Burr Ridge, IL (1200 Burr Ridge Parkway, Burr Ridge, IL 60527) from 11:30am-3pm. This event will bring all Illinois Census advocates together. To register, please click here.
FEB. 19 & 26, & MAR. 4, 11 & 18, 2020
PROFESSIONAL MEDIA RELATIONS
This is an intensive and interactive five-part class. Do you know how to pitch a story to the media? Can you present context about your work and your issue? You’ll learn what the media looks for in a story, get the tools you need, and actually make your pitch to several journalists one-on-one. Participating members of the media have no obligation to write a story, but will tell you what works and what doesn’t. Register NOW!
JANUARY HIGHLIGHTS
Fellow grantees and members of Forefront’s #ILCOUNTMEIN2020 Census Coalition (below) gathered for updates at Access Living.
Along their Whistle Stop Tour, Newscounts (below) dropped in to facilitate an interactive workshop with journalists on Covering Census 2020. Journalists from WBEZ, the Chicago Maroon, the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times were in attendance.
Monday, January 20th, over 200 people of all ages gathered to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with a host of service projects at Oakwood Shores, Doolittle and Mollison Elementary Schools and Ellis Park (below).
“Without Dr. King and all that he represents I likely wouldn’t own my company,” shared Engage Civil President and Project Lead Kelsey Taylor. “And as a resident of Bronzeville I feel particularly drawn toward serving here on King Holiday because Dr. King has such history in this
neighborhood.”
Partners included CPS Family and Community Engagement in Education, The Community Builders, Organic Oneness, Project I AM, Public Narrative and the University of Chicago’s Center for Youth Violence Prevention.
Below: On January 21st, we partnered with Organic Oneness and Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) for the National Day of Racial Healing. Chicago’s Chief Equity Officer, Candace Moore (center) joined us to present the proclamation signed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot (photo provided by Ron Browne).
On Saturday, January 25th, we teamed up with Block Club Chicago, the Triibe and others (above) for their Free Resource Fair (photo provided by Block Club Chicago). The fair took place at Sinai Community Institute on the West Side. Click here for the community resource guide which features participating organizations and many others offering services to residents on Chicago’s West Side.