Category: Blog Vs Vlog
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Papa Was a Free Man: Fatherhood, Freedom, and the Fight for Recognition on Juneteenth
By Christopher Tru Hood Chicago, IL — The sun beats harder on Father’s Day weekends when Juneteenth is near. The air feels heavier—not just from the heat rising off the streets of Chicago but from the weight of memory, history, and unspoken truths. For Black fathers like me, these two holidays—though separate on the calendar—collide…
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Being Chosen to Strive: A Reflection on Purpose, Passion, and Persistence
Being Chosen to Strive: A Reflection on Purpose, Passion, and Persistence By Christopher Tru Hood Some people are hired. Others are called. I’ve come to realize—I’m the latter. Called to serve. Called to create. Called to lead. Called to build. Last week, someone asked me if I could run a photography workshop. I said, without…
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Every Button Tells a Story: Hirsch Students Show Their Pride
Every Button Tells a Story: Hirsch Students Show Their Pride At Hirsch Metropolitan High School on Chicago’s Southeast Side, something bold happened this week—something small in scale but massive in meaning. For the first time in school history, students and staff came together to celebrate Pride Month with a button-making event. No parade, no speeches—just…
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The Power of Visual Storytelling – Cinematography & Photography
The seeds of my passion for visual storytelling were planted early on, nurtured by the inspiring presence of my family. My mother, an actress with a penchant for capturing every fleeting moment on her Fujifilm camera, and my uncle, a sports photographer who documented the legends like Walter Payton, both instilled in me an appreciation…
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Journalism and Podcasting – Giving a Voice to the Voiceless
I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to use my voice—not just for my own creative expression, but to amplify the voices that often go unheard. My journey into journalism and podcasting was driven by this calling, a desire to shine a light on the stories of everyday people and the issues that shape our world.…