Laura S. Washington Biography

Laura S. Washington who is a multimedia journalist, specializes in African-American affairs, local and national politics, race and racism, media-related issues, and social justice. At DePaul University in Chicago, she was a former Ida B. Wells-Barnett University Professor. Since 2001, her column has appeared in the Sun-Times. She also wrote a column, “Droppin’ a Dime,” for In These Times from May 2006 to December 2008. She is a contributor to Chicago Public Radio’s “848” and a frequent commentator on “News and Notes” on National Public Radio. Washington has been displayed many times in programs and reports on politics and racial and urban issues in the national media, involving The New York Times, NBC Nightly News, The Lehrer News Hour, Time and Newsweek magazines. Regularly, she speaks to both local and national audiences. In urban affairs and social justice issues, and print and broadcast journalism, Washington boasts of various experiences of more than two decades. A nationally recognized investigative monthly specializing in racial issues and urban affairs known as The Chicago Reporter was edited by Washington from 1990 to 2001. Washington was named one of the nation’s “100 People to Watch” in the 21st Century by Newsweek. According to the magazine, “her style of investigative journalism has made (the Reporter) a powerful and award-winning voice.” Washington was also appointed deputy press secretary to Chicago’s first black mayor, Mayor Harold Washington in 1985. She worked for the investigative unit at CBS-2/Chicago as a producer from 1987 to 1990. Washington returned to The Chicago Reporter in 1990 and from 1994 through 2001, she served as its editor and publisher. She also specialized in writing for the Chicago Tribune on issues of urban affairs, poverty and race. In June 2003, she was appointed to the Ida B. Wells-Barnett Chair at DePaul. From Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, where she also taught and lectured, Washington earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in journalism. She has been celebrated with more than two dozen national and local awards for her work, which includes the Peter Lisagor Award, the Studs Terkel Award for Community Journalism, two Chicago Emmys, and the Ohio State Award for broadcast journalism. She is a founding inductee to the Medill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement, she received the Racial Justice Award from the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago, and the 2002 Northwestern University Alumnae Award. She was awarded a Community Service Fellowship in 1999 by The Chicago Community Trust for “exemplary service, commitment and leadership in individuals from the nonprofit sector.” She serves on the board of The Field Museum as well as on the board of The Donors Forum of Chicago and she is also a member of the Chicago and National associations of black journalists.

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