Chicago Defender

The Chicago Defender is a weekly newspaper established in 1905 by Robert S. Abbott, aimed mainly at an African-American audience and based in Chicago.

Local, African-American/Black

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#400310

United States

#91391

News and Media

#3517

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Breaking Barriers with Clippers: South Side’s Black Swan Barber Lounge Redefines Pride and Power

4 days ago | chicagodefender.com | Marshelle Sanders

Dee Swan, founder of Chicago’s Black Swan Barber Lounge, turned a childhood spark into a thriving business and mentorship hub (Photo Credit: Marshelle Sanders). With the arrival of Pride Month in June, what began as a desire to stay close to and follow in her older brother’s footsteps and a simple pair of clippers turned into something much more.
Tacuma Roeback: Black Maternal Mortality Is a Crisis-And Men Must Help Change That

1 week ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

Photo Courtesy of Nappy.CoIn Chicago, your zip code can shape how you live—and how you die. Where you live often dictates whether you’ll have access to decent housing, healthy food and stable employment. On the South and West Sides, many residents still struggle to secure those basics. But when it comes to Black maternal health, the disparities go beyond geography and income. And it’s time more men become aware of this alarming trend.
The Carr Report: Your habits are keeping you broke-not your income

1 week ago | chicagodefender.com | Damon Carr

Let’s go ahead and get straight to it: I talk about this in another article I wrote titled, “You’re paying high prices for your vices!” Figured I’d revisit this with a slight twist to ensure in being heard. It ain’t your job, your boss, or the government keeping you broke. It’s YOU. More specifically—it’s your habits. I see people all the time talking about how they “don’t make enough money.” But when I watch how they spend, it’s clear: Money ain’t the problem. Priorities are.
‘No Kings’ Protests Draw Millions Nationwide, Thousands Rally in Downtown Chicago Against Trump

1 week ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

Thousands gathered in Chicago’s Daley Plaza as part of the nationwide “No Kings” protests opposing Donald Trump’s policies. Federal lawmakers, activists, and union leaders called for renewed civic engagement and resistance to authoritarianism (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback).. Organizers reported that one million nationwide participated in the “No Kings” protests against President Trump and his administration’s policies.
Father, Leader, Changemaker: Daniel Ash’s Father’s Day Reflections on Equity and Community

1 week ago | chicagodefender.com | Marshelle Sanders

For Daniel Ash, the work of social justice is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in personal experience and shaped by the transformative power of human connection. What began as a simple urge to help his hometown community in Ohio has evolved into a decades-long mission to build equity, amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals and uplift communities across Chicago.
Remembering Lindsay Tyler: Detroit Sports Fan, Family Historian, and a Life Well Lived

1 week ago | chicagodefender.com | Evan Moore

Defender Contributing Sports Columnist Evan F. Moore, and his great-cousin, Lindsay Tyler (Photo Provided). Have you ever lost someone and looked at the last text messages you received from them? My last text to my great-cousin on my mother’s side of the family, Lindsay Tyler, who died last month, was left on “Read” after I shared recent photos from my parents’ 50th wedding anniversary party that took place in April. Lindsay was an Air Force veteran whose many jobs included being a truck driver.
Chicago Bulls, Plus500 and Greenwood Project Empower Black and Latino Students Through Financial Literacy

2 weeks ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

At the United Center, the Chicago Bulls, fintech firm Plus500, and the Greenwood Project teamed up to equip Black and Latino college students with real-world financial knowledge, mentorship, and access to careers in finance (Photo Credit: Tacuma R. Roeback). Thanks to the Chicago Bulls, fintech firm Plus500 and the Greenwood Project, a group of college students spent the day learning how financial literacy can change lives and not just balance sheets.
Rainbow PUSH 2025 People’s Conference Issues Urgent Call to Action in Chicago

2 weeks ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

For the organizers of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition’s 2025 People’s Conference, this year’s program is as consequential as ever—a summit to bring about policy solutions, strategy and healing to a nation at a crossroads. Set for June 12–14 in Chicago, the conference arrives during what they describe as a full-scale attack on civil rights and democratic freedoms.
Meet Cordell Shelby: CPS Grad and Future City Laborer Inspired by His Mom’s Legacy

2 weeks ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

Cordell Shelby, a King College Prep graduate and Chicago Builds participant, turns his hands-on skills and South Side upbringing into a career with the city’s General Laborer Trainee Program (Photo Provided). Cordell Shelby builds things. He and his mother—an experienced plumber with the City of Chicago Water Department—have built barbecue grills, Hibachi setups, and even a motorcycle from the box—wrench in hand and purpose in the other.
Malik Nevels Reflects on Legacy, Leadership and Purpose as Men of Excellence Honoree

2 weeks ago | chicagodefender.com | Tacuma Roeback

For this Chicago Defender Men of Excellence award recipient, the honor is more than a career achievement. It’s an acknowledgment of the individuals, locations and principles who shaped him. “Being named a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree is a profound honor. It’s a recognition not only of personal achievement but of the collective work of mentors, colleagues, and communities that have shaped and supported me along the way.,” said Malik S.