Change Agents

Change Agents

A-gen-cy noun: action or intervention, especially such as to produce a particular effect. Too often the actions of real people of color making real change in their neighborhoods and lives are ignored in the media. Even worse are portrayals that people of color lack the agency to address the wrongs and find solutions that empowers residents and improves conditions. Too often these stories are told from outside, not inside, the community. Change Agent is a podcasts series by Chicagoans trained to tell stories of their neighborhood transformations and the folks who make that happen. Developed by Judith McCray and Maurice Bisaillon of Juneteenth Productions, Change Agents is a partnership between community organizers and emerging journalists of color who are provided the tools to produce professionally crafted episodes that highlight issues, challenges and ground level efforts for change.

The Foundation of Freedom: Maria Garza on Housing, Healing & Change

After over a decade behind bars, Maria Garza returned to a world with little support and even less stability. Facing housing insecurity and emotional strain, she saw firsthand the failures of a system that promised rehabilitation but delivered barriers. Determined to break the cycle, she co-founded Challenge II Change, a reentry organization that centers stable housing and mental health as the foundation for real second chances.Produced by Cary Robbins, with Noble Thompson and Noah Tomko-Jones for Reparations Media NFP | In collaboration with Maria Garza and Challenge II Change @challengeiichange Donate to Reparations Media & Change Agents Production Lab Follow us online: Reparationsmedia.org changeagentsthepodcast.com changeagents@reparationsmedia.org
Harry Peña: From Prison to Purpose

When a rash decision changed the course of his life, Harry Peña spent decades behind bars. But prison didn't break him — it revealed his purpose. Determined to turn his painful past into a force for good, Harry founded the Life Impacters Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to disrupting the incarceration and recidivism cycle that traps so many formerly incarcerated people.
Wendell Robinson: Life Sentence to Reentry Reform

Sentenced to life in prison at just 19 years old, Wendell Robinson drew his own map to freedom. Now, through his work at Restore Justice, Robinson uses his experience and knowledge to help other formerly incarcerated people navigate the reentry system and find their place in society.Produced by Skylah Martinez, Bing Wang, and Eliza Westhusing for Reparations Media NFP | In collaboration with Wendell Robinson and Restore Justice Foundation Donate to Reparations Media & Change Agents Production Lab Reparationsmedia.org changeagentsthepodcast.com changeagents@reparationsmedia.org
Struggle to Serve: Larry Sapp and the push for political inclusion

“Struggle to Serve: Larry Sapp and the push for political inclusion”Larry Sapp has dedicated the past 30 years to serving his community. In 2021, he was elected to the Sauk Village Board of Trustees, promising to get the community thriving again after years of decay. His dream was deferred when he was removed from the Board for a decades-old felony drug conviction that he had openly disclosed during his path to elected office. Now, Sapp is fighting for the rights of returning citizens to serve their communities without limitations, including holding local public office.Produced by Ruchi Nawathe and Vivienne Madsen for Reparations Media NFP In collaboration with Larry SappDonate to Reparations Media & Change Agents Production Lab Follow us online: Reparationsmedia.org changeagentsthepodcast.com changeagents@reparationsmedia.org
Shimere Love-Shanklin: From Struggle to Strength

“Shimere Love-Shanklin: From Struggle to Strength”Finding employment and opening doors that seem permanently closed is a barrier that people with felony records continually face. Shamere Love-Shanklin knows this reality all too well. In this episode, Love-Shanklin shares her reentry journey—navigating the challenges, embracing the triumphs, and reclaiming her identity after years of incarceration—and how her criminal justice reform advocacy work transforms the system designed to hold people like her back.Produced by Aaliyah McFadden and Isabella Salinas [PRODUCER CONTACT/HANDLE] for Reparations Media NFP Donate to Reparations Media & Change Agents Production Lab Follow us online: Reparationsmedia.org changeagentsthepodcast.com changeagents@reparationsmedia.orgKeywords: Illinois, Incarceration, systems impacted, justice reform, Chicago, Rockford, Activism, housing rights, employment discrimination, felony disenfranchisement, family separation, restorative justice, recovery, domestic
Rhymes & Resistance: King Moosa uses creativity to advance voting rights

“Rhymes & Resistance: King Moosa uses creativity to advance voting rights”Did you know that individuals with felony convictions in Illinois still retain the right to vote? Rockford-born hip-hop ARTivist Brian Harrington, aka King Moosa, is trying to spread the word. Sentenced to 25 years in prison at the age of 14, King Moosa experienced the isolating effects of incarceration firsthand. Through the support of community members and grassroots movements, he was encouraged to draw, write, and perform, bringing awareness to his story. In 2020, after 13 years behind bars, he was granted clemency. Now, he uses his talents to create narrative change surrounding incarceration and its effects in America. Through his art, advocacy work, and collaboration with Chicago Votes, he continues to fight for change in the legal system, using community and individual healing as a powerful crime-prevention tactic. Produced by Maddie Voelkel and Matthew Warakomski for Reparations Media NFP | In collaboration with King Moosa https://www.kingmoosaartivism.com/about Follow us online: Reparationsmedia.org changeagentsthepodcast.com changeagents@reparationsmedia.org
Season 5 Trailer
A Place Called Home

When Matthew Cage’s father died, Matthew knew it fell on him to financially support his mom. But there was a problem. Matthew had just been released from prison — and many don’t want to rent or employ someone with a criminal record. Experts say a good indication of whether someone will return to prison is how quickly they find housing. A group of nonprofits across Chicago’s South and West sides are trying to break that cycle. Their solution: provide clean, affordable and dignified housing for people leaving prison — PLUS the social, health and spiritual support they need to change their life. This is the story of two men who have broken that cycle, and how housing allowed them to show up for themselves, their families — and eventually — their communities. Produced by Joshua Eferighe @Eferighe for Reparations Media | Editorial support from Juneteenth Productions @juneteenthprod2 | Collaboration with Precious Blood Ministries | Sound design by Will Jarvis @willyfrederick | Music: Sarah Abdullah, Blue Dot SessionsFollow us: changeagentsthepodcast.com | Donate: donate.stripe.com/4gw2980yG7Ez9bO3cfKey words: housing, homeless, unhoused, halfway house, prison, incarceration, landlord, rent, jail, felony, job, employment, mental health, Precious Blood Ministries, Green Re-Entry, solutions
Roots and Roofs: Building Wealth Through Chicago’s Two-Flats

When Mercedes Pickett set out to buy her first home, she wanted to do it in the same way her mom had — by living in a two-flat, renting out the bottom apartment, and making the building into an investment property. For over a century, owning and living in a rental property has been one of the most effective ways to build wealth for Black and Latino communities. Yet these quintessential Chicago homes are in danger of extinction. This is the story of how a new generation of Black and brown homeowners are pushing back — and improving their neighborhoods in the process. Produced by Reema Saleh for Reparations Media | Editorial support from Juneteenth Productions @juneteenthprod2 | Collaboration with Neighborhood Housing Services @NHSChicago | Sound design by Will Jarvis @willyfrederick | Music: Sara Abdelaal, Blue Dot SessionsFollow us: changeagentsthepodcast.com | Support our work: donate.stripe.com/4gw2980yG7Ez9bO3cfKey words: housing, home, homeownership, homeowner, landlord, mortgage, apartment, two-flat, rent, income, redlining, Black, Latino, solutions, Chi-Flats Initiative, Neighborhood Housing Services
Say Her Name: Women Survivors of Chicago Police Torture

Michelle Clopton was in her twenties when Chicago police attempted to force her to confess to a crime she didn’t commit. For 72 hours, she was brutally questioned, deprived of food, and tortured. Today, she is one of the few women to publicly share her experience of abuse. But she’s not alone. Under the leadership of CPD Commander Jon Burge, more than 100 Black people were tortured by Chicago police in the ’70s and ’80s to elicit false confessions. A group of survivors have created the Chicago Torture Justice Center to begin rebuilding lives, healing, and finding joy. Michelle’s story reveals the unique impact of police abuse on women — and what it takes to survive and thrive.Produced by Jewél Jackson @JewlJackson1 for Reparations Media | Editorial support from Juneteenth Productions @juneteenthprod2 | Collaboration with Chicago Torture Justice Center @chitorture | Sound design by Will Jarvis @willyfrederick | Music: Sara Abdelaal, Blue Dot SessionsFollow us: changeagentsthepodcast.com | Donate: donate.stripe.com/4gw2980yG7Ez9bO3cfKey words: Chicago, police, Chicago Police Department, CPD, John Burge, torture, corruption, brutality, survivor, false confession, prison, incarceration, jail, trauma, mental health, healing, solutions, Say Her Name, plea, accountability rule