PHOTO: 2025 Chicago Independent Media Alliance (CIMA) Retreat. Photo by Tafari Melisizwe for Public Narrative.
Connecting Media & Community
Join Us!
Reframing Purpose, Possibility, and Partnerships.
A One-Day Conference Presented by Public Narrative
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
This free, one-day conference will strengthen independent media and community media literacy by fostering collaboration, resilience, and innovation. Especially in this tumultuous time, Chicago journalists, media labs, community leaders, and foundations are leading the way in innovation, relevance, and resilience, and this gathering will provide opportunities to cross-fertilize this critical work.
Leaders from media, community-based organizations, the civic sector, and non-profits will come together to share tools and experience, build strategies, offer mutual support, and forge new, meaningful partnerships.
Join Us!
Why We Gather:
Our Call to Action:
Time and resources are limited—let’s make the most of both.
This one-day conference will provide maximum value in minimal time. Let’s leverage this opportunity for sharing knowledge and strategizing, empowering media professionals and our communities to thrive—together.
Who Should Attend:
Independent journalists and media outlets
Community-based organization staff
Civic and public sector leaders and changemakers
Educators and media literacy advocates
Culture professionals and creatives
Those interested in fact-based reporting and increasing storytelling skills
What You’ll Learn by Attending:
Navigating Today’s Media Landscape
Strategies for discerning credible news in an era of division and mistrust, while fostering authentic dialogue that bridges differences.Mission, Values, and Narrative in Challenging Times
Even as DEI comes under scrutiny, your commitment endures. Explore how to safeguard your brand, sustain your mission, and communicate with clarity and integrity in this moment of prohibition and polarization.Rebuilding Public Trust
Practical approaches to strengthening trust in journalism and information systems, increasing media literacy, and crafting narrative strategies that resonate in an evolving media environment.Storytelling, Voices, and Cultural Preservation
Your nonprofit organization is essential. Discover and share strategies for elevating creative storytelling, amplifying diverse voices, and championing cultural preservation through authentic narratives. Including Spanish language, ethnic, and community media audience partnerships.
This event is free to all participants. Reserve your free spot with tickets .
Sponsorship opportunities are available here and include a select number of guaranteed entries, as we anticipate this event to reach capacity.
Event Access
More Reasons to Join Us:
This event will:
1. Foster Community and Cross-Sector Connectivity: Provide a convening space for civic organizations, community-based organizations, and media to collaborate and co-create. Provide a pathway to rebuild trust between news and content providers and consumers by sharing data on how ownership, influencers, and disinformation work.
2. Promote Access to Free Actionable Information for All: Build collective strategies for sustainability and growth through media literacy, education, and inclusive dialogue
3. Bridge the Gap Between Providers and Consumers: Strengthen the relationship between journalists and content creators and their audiences through engagement, storytelling, and trust-building.
4. Facilitate Media-Nonprofit Collaboration: Help media outlets better understand and work with mission-driven organizations to amplify impact.
Questions? Email chris@hooplagroupla.com or sewing@publicnarrative.org.
David Rubenstein Forum, 1201 East 60th Street, Chicago, IL 60637
Friedman Hall at the David Rubenstein Forum
