Austin Weekly News 061621

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Mayor Lightfoot, journalists of color want to cover you. Here is how,

Vol. 35 No. 24

June 16, 2021

austinweeklynews.com

Also serving Garfield Park

@AustinWeeklyChi

@AustinWeeklyNews

PAGE 9

Leadership Lab seeking fellows, page 6

An interview with Mayor Lori Lightfoot “By doing what I did, it started an important conversation,” the mayor said on her decision to grant interviews exclusively to journalists of color By MICHAEL ROMAIN Editor

On June 3, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot agreed to a 15-minute virtual interview with Austin Weekly News. She spoke about her controversial decision to provide interviews exclusively to journalists of color on the occasion of the 2-year anniversary of her inauguration, local media, the Loretto Hospital vaccine scandal and Invest South/West. AWN: I read the letter you emailed to various newsrooms throughout Chicago calling on them to diversify. I appreciate you for bringing the issue to the forefront, but although you mentioned large legacy outlets like the Chicago Tribune and Crain’s, you did not mention smaller, neighborhood-based and/ or non-traditional outlets, where Black and Brown journalists are much more likely to have positions of influence or even own. How can the city ensure that small, hyperlocal publications like Austin Weekly News, where minority journalists are more likely to be editors and publishers, owners and in other positions of authority, get equitable access to your office and to other city agencies? LL: By doing what I did, it started this important conversation about the lack of diversity in the mainstream press. See LIGHTFOOT on page 3

PROVIDED

Worth saving?

A West Side homeowner is working to save a coach house at 710 N. Lotus Ave. that may be up to 160 years old. Read more on page 4.

Austin farmers market is back

The market, organized by Forty Acres Fresh Market, runs through Sept. 30 By PASCAL SABINO Block Club Chicago

The weekly farmers market outside Austin Town Hall Park is back. The city market is 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursdays at the Austin Town Hall Park, 5610 W. Lake St. It is organized by Forty Acres Fresh Market with the sponsorship of the

city’s cultural affairs department. The season runs through Sept. 30. Building off a successful expansion of the markets last year, this season will last longer so residents can get fresh, healthy produce from local growers like Parra Farms, as well as prepared foods and handcrafted goods. Danie’s Delicious Detox Drinks will return with juices and cleanses.

S W E N LASH! F

New vendors will also expand the range of goods available at the market. Meat products will be offered for the first time from the Chicago Meat Collective, and Chicago Fair Trade will join the market to bring ethically sourced coffee beans to the table. See FARMERS MARKET on page 8

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