Together in Action: Gratitude and Momentum from the CIMA Retreat

We are deeply grateful to all the CIMA members, supporters, and others in attendance for making the first annual Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) Retreat on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 a powerful and transformative gathering. Your presence, insights, and collaboration remind us of the strength we hold—not just as individual news and/or media organizations, but as a collective force for sustainable, independent journalism in Chicago.

Being together in action is more than just convening; it is a commitment. A commitment to lifting each other up, to building the infrastructure your newsrooms and media organizations need, and to ensuring that independent media remains a vital, thriving force in our communities. Every conversation, every idea shared, and every connection made during this retreat strengthens the future of CIMA and the organizations we each serve.

As we move forward, let’s harness this momentum. Let’s turn our shared vision into sustained action—whether through resource sharing, collaborative reporting, audience engagement, or advocating for policies that support independent journalism. Our collective sustainability depends on the strength of our partnerships and our willingness to work together.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Let’s keep building, innovating, and making an impact. The future of independent media in Chicago is ours to shape!

With gratitude and solidarity,

Jhmira