Adeshina Emmanuel
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Systemic oppression, judges, courts, corrections, law enforcement, government, politics, juvenile justice, economic justice, racial justice, poverty.
Managing Editor of Local News @CapitalBNews | Working w/ @CapitalB_ATL Team + @capitalb_gary | More Coming
Articles by Adeshina Emmanuel
From Mailers to Meetups: How Capital B Brought Our Local Journalism Offline Original
Capital B’s local newsrooms in Atlanta and Gary, Indiana, are very different, but share some DNA. The reporters, editors, and engagement teams who power our journalism live in the areas we cover — many with lifelong ties and deep roots. They know firsthand how important it is to meet neighbors where they are with stories that matter, not just on our website or on social media.
Why the Biden-Harris Message of Black Economic Progress is a Tough Sell in Georgia
Vice President Kamala Harris touted a list of economic accomplishments that the Biden administration has delivered for Black Americans during her latest visit to metro Atlanta. But many Black Atlantans, feeling the lingering sting of inflation, say they’re still struggling financially.
We Need More Prison Education Programs. But Is The Money There?
When Kimberley Pugh was released after a 13-year term in Habersham County’s Lee Arrendale State Prison, her college classes were the only thing that felt “normal” about the outside world. “Everything around me was in complete chaos, but I had to focus on my reading, my writing, and make sure I had all my assignments done,” said Pugh, who was incarcerated from 2009 until 2022.
Black Jewish Students and the On-Campus Divide Over Gaza
Life on campus at the Atlanta University Center has been more complicated for Spelman freshman Sara Scherlinder since the Gaza humanitarian crisis began more than six months ago.
Got Election Questions, ATL? Here’s How ‘Ask Capital B’ Can Help.
Every election season raises a ton of critical questions in our community. For some people, the pressing issues are, “Who’s running and why should they get my vote?” Others seek basic information on how to register to vote, locate their polling place, or navigate new voter laws. Meanwhile, many in our community ponder, “Why should I even care?” That’s why we’re thrilled to launch Ask Capital B, a news and information help desk tailored to the Black community.
Ahmaud Arbery’s Family Hopeful Hate Crime Convictions Won’t Be Overturned
Ahmaud Arbery’s family and their attorneys told the media they were optimistic after a hearing in federal court to appeal the hate crime convictions against the three white men who killed Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, in a south Georgia neighborhood in 2020.
Bertha Darden, a Champion for Black Homeowners’ Rights, Has Died
Peoplestown community activist Bertha Darden — a formerhomeowner whose years-long eminent domain battle against the city of Atlanta gained international media attention — has died. Her passing on Monday came about a year after she reluctantly sold her house to the city, a three-bedroom bungalow where she had lived with her family for more than three decades. Darden was 68. Her family requested that her cause of death not be publicly disclosed.
Help KyCIR investigate housing in Louisville
Housing | Housing is one of the most pressing issues in Louisville today. Just ask around. Odds are, you’ll hear there’s not enough housing or that what’s available is often too expensive, especially for the people who earn the least. Homelessness is rising in Louisville and the country, driven by inflation and rent increases. Meanwhile, private investment and gentrification in the predominantly Black west Louisville area have renters worried they’ll be priced out.
After Mayor’s Promise, Peoplestown Residents Still Not Sure Where They Stand
It’s been three months since Mayor Andre Dickens met with Black homeowners in Peoplestown and committed to resolving their years-long eminent domain saga within the first 100 days of his administration. That self-imposed deadline expired two weeks ago with Dickens reportedly telling members of the media that discussions are still ongoing.
Former Chicago police superintendent accused of lying in murder case
This story was produced by the Better Government Association, a nonprofit news organization based in Chicago. Lawyers for an ailing 73-year-old man freed after 33 years in prison for a double murder now say they can prove a high-ranking officer lied under oath in a case tainted by a notorious squad of Chicago officers known for torturing suspects.
Injustice Watch anuncia una asociación periodística con la Chicago Tribune
El Chicago Tribune e Injustice Watch se asocian para informar y desarrollar proyectos de participación comunitaria que examinan cuestiones críticas que dan forma a la vida en el área de Chicago. Nuestro objetivo es destacar la resiliencia de los residentes en esta región y llegar a más personas en comunidades marginadas y desatendidas tanto en la ciudad como en los suburbios. Nuestras dos redacciones son únicas, con diferentes estilos, audiencias e historias.
Injustice Watch announces journalism partnership with The Chicago Tribune Original
Leer en Español. Injustice Watch and the Chicago Tribune will be partnering on reporting and community engagement projects examining critical issues shaping life in Chicagoland. We aim to spotlight the resilience of the residents in this region and reach more people in marginalized and underserved communities in both the city and suburbs. Our two newsrooms are unique, with different styles, audiences, and histories. But our commitment to public service and investigative journalism unites us.
Illinois criminal justice reformers won a historic legislative victory in 2021. But the law they passed isn’t a done deal.
Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP Illinois State Rep. Justin Slaughter, D-Chicago, center, holds up his fist in celebration after the SAFE-T Act passed the Illinois House, Jan. 13, 2021.
Analysis: Here’s how Chicago’s most powerful police union preserves tradition of problematic leadership
Injustice Watch reviewed the tenures of past FOP presidents elected by Chicago police, from the civil rights movement to the Black Lives Matter era. We found a history of police union leaders making inflammatory statements, antagonizing racial justice and police reforms, and shielding allegedly brutal cops from accountability.
Illinois courts name 22 new associate judges in Cook County
The Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts on Thursday named 22 new associate judges who will take the bench in Cook County. Associate judges are chosen via a closed election that only Cook County’s 249 circuit court judges can vote in. They share nearly the same responsibilities as the circuit judges, whom Cook County voters choose in public elections.
The problems with Chicago's gang-centric narrative of gun violence
Veronica Martinez for The Trace Illustration by Veronica Martinez for the Trace. This story is published in partnership with The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering gun violence. Sign up for one of their newsletters here. Earlier this August, a traffic stop left a beloved police officer shot to death and another partially paralyzed, sending shockwaves throughout Chicago.
Cook County domestic violence court continues video proceedings under chief judge’s order
Court dates for survivors of domestic violence will continue via videoconference following an order signed Wednesday by Cook County Circuit Court Chief Judge Timothy Evans. The order, announced Thursday by the chief judge’s office, means most appearances for emergency orders of protection and most routine motions and hearings will happen remotely until further notice. The order also stipulates that people whose cases were heard by the domestic violence division from July 26 to Aug.
‘I don’t sleep very well anymore:’ Many LGBTQ+ people face economic cliff if eviction protections end
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Photo by: NDZ/STAR MAX/IPx 2021 8/4/21 Protesters hold a rally for tenant rights outside the offices of Governor Andrew Cuomo in New York City. This story was originally published by The 19th J. Williams came home to an eviction notice last week. The single page, stuck to the door of the Las Vegas condo they have called home for seven years, stated that Williams and their wife have 30 days to vacate. Investigations that expose, influence and inform. Emailed directly to you.
By Chabeli Carrazana Verified, Kate Sosin Verified, Orion Rummler Verified, Adeshina Emmanuel Verified
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Injustice Watch
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Here’s what you should know about Chicago’s latest police accountability ‘compromise’
Alderman Leslie Hairston (5th Ward) speaks in support of a proposal for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department during a Chicago City Council meeting at City Hall, Wednesday, July 21, 2021. | Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times/Chicago Sun-Times via AP) The Chicago City Council voted last week to establish civilian oversight of the city’s police department and police accountability agencies.
The History and Harm Behind Illinois’s Criminal HIV Transmission Law
Illustration by Nguyen Tran for The Chicago Reader. This story was co-produced by Injustice Watch and the Chicago Reader as part of The Circuit, a joint project from Injustice Watch and Better Government Association, in partnership with the civic tech consulting firm DataMade. Learn more about the project here. Leer en español. In early 2016, Jimmy Amutavi had what he considered a happy life.
‘Gang contracts’ in Cicero and Berwyn schools raise concerns about criminalization of youth
This story was co-produced by Type Investigations, where Irene Romulo is an Ida B. Wells fellow; Cicero Independiente; and Injustice Watch. Illustrations by Veronica Martínez. Leer en Español. Roberto is a 17-year-old resident of Cicero, Illinois, who is on track to graduate after this summer and will be the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. His mother describes Roberto, her oldest son, as a charismatic young man who cares deeply about his friends and wants to experience the world.
Illinois bill would expand civics and voter education to incarcerated youths in state custody
Illinois stands on the cusp of expanding voting and civics education to young people incarcerated at the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice who are older than 17 and within a year of their release date.
Chicago activist Naira calls out dehumanization of Black radicals protesting police violence
Photo by Kaleb Autman Chima “Naira” Ikoro is a 22-year-old writer and activist from the South Side of Chicago. She is one-fourth of a collective called Blck Rising that focuses on mutual aid and organizing in the city. This essay is part of Injustice Watch’s Essential Work project, a first-person storytelling series by young Black people in Chicago fighting racism and police violence amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In Little Village, an immigrant-led artists’ commune resists as developer seeks eviction
Above: Juan Herrera, Agustine Aguilar, Adriana Villalobos and Marcos Hernandez, residents of 3200 S. Kedzie Ave., in front of the building Feb. 15, 2021 in Chicago, Ill. They are all facing eviction. April Alonso for Borderless Magazine/CatchLight Local Chicago. This story was originally published by Borderless Magazine. The squat two-story, yellow brick building at 3200 S. Kedzie Ave. in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood wasn’t always so quiet.
Terrorists, real and imagined
Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Urdangen Olutosin Oduwole (left) and attorney Jeffrey Urdangen pose for a picture at the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. The former White House occupant’s second impeachment trial will soon begin. It is alleged he incited a horde of overwhelmingly white ultranationalists. The outcome was a graphic unfolding of domestic terrorism for all to see. Extremists placed politicians in extremis.
How BLM is changing coverage of police violence
This article was originally published by Nieman Reports, a website and quarterly print publication covering thought leadership in journalism. Subscribe here. What if the people storming the Capitol on Jan. 6 had been Black? Newsrooms around the U.S. posed that question as largely white pro-Trump rioters and white supremacists, incited by the president himself, stormed the Capitol, waving Confederate flags and Trump 2020 banners, vandalizing the building, and threatening lawmakers.
Critics Slam 'Asia on Argyle' Streetscape Sign
UPTOWN — Reviews are mixed when it comes to the "Asia on Argyle" sign that was installed outside the Argyle Red Line station last week. The sign was an attempt to reflect the strong Asian influence on the neighborhood, brighten up the area and help local businesses, according to 48th Ward Ald. Harry Osterman's office.
Spurred by Black Lives Matter, Coverage of Police Violence Is Changing | Nieman Reports
An American flag featuring the names of Black people killed by police is seen hanging at a protest to defund the police in New York City in June 2020 Andrew Kelly/Reuters What if the people storming the Capitol on January 6 had been Black? Newsrooms around the U.S. posed that question as largely white pro-Trump rioters and white supremacists, incited by the president himself, stormed the Capitol, waving Confederate flags and Trump 2020 banners, vandalizing the building, and threatening lawmakers.
‘A sacrifice zone’: Why did a Chicago community of color get saddled with a polluting scrapyard?
This story was originally published by Grist. After a polluting scrapyard closed in a predominantly white and wealthy neighborhood on Chicago’s North Side last year, the very same company got approval to open a new scrapyard on the city’s predominantly low-income and Latino Southeast Side. Now, the state of Illinois’ decision to approve the new venture is the target of a federal civil rights investigation by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA.
Illinois criminal justice reform bill critics playing ‘Fear-Mongering Bingo’ says State Sen. Robert Peters
Photo courtesy of Robert Peters. Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) is the Illinois Senate Black Caucus Chair. The Illinois General Assembly passed a historic package of criminal justice reforms on Jan. 13 that includes the Pretrial Fairness Act to end cash bail, measures curtailing the use of no-knock warrants by law enforcement officers, and an all-out ban on police chokeholds.
Black Student Reflects on Confronting Racism at Chicago Private School
Illustration by Alejandra Fernandez/ South Side Weekly Randy Pierre, 18, a senior at the Latin School of Chicago. Editor’s Note: South Chicago resident Randy Pierre, 18, is a senior at the Latin School of Chicago, one of the city’s top private schools. In July, Injustice Watch reported on a reckoning happening around race at the school, which students and alums alleged was home to a racist and xenophobic culture.
Thousands of Illinois drivers would get their licenses back under a criminal justice reform bill
This story was originally published on Jan. 15 by ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for The Big Story newsletter by Propublica to receive stories like this one in your inbox. Illinois lawmakers voted to end the practice of suspending driver’s licenses for unpaid red-light and speed camera tickets, part of a broader criminal justice reform package passed last week. If signed by Gov.
To address the Alabama prison crisis, put an end to over-incarceration in the state
Brynn Anderson / Associated Press In this June 18, 2015, photo, a prisoner walks near his crowded living area in Elmore Correctional Facility in Elmore, Ala. The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent lawsuit against the Alabama Department of Corrections highlights the many failings of the state’s prison system, from dangerous and unsanitary conditions to correctional officers who abuse and assault incarcerated individuals. The driver of these problems is simple: Alabama over-incarcerates its people.
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The way prisoners flag guard abuse, inadequate health care and unsanitary conditions Is broken
Randy Liebich curled up in a ball on his bed inside Stateville prison, about an hour outside Chicago. It was June 2010, and he’d spent the night in a cold sweat, excruciating pain radiating from his back. For months, he’d been filing complaints with prison officials about the lack of medical care. But the forms, known as grievances, got him nowhere. One was denied, in part because he’d already been to the doctor, and the denial noted he’d received acetaminophen pain medication.
Chicago mayor's ‘pandemic budget’ passes, but with the most opposition in 30 years
Illustration: David Alvarado A historic budget season came to a close last week, as Chicago City Council passed its $12.8 billion “pandemic budget” for 2021. Though Mayor Lori Lightfoot did not secure a unanimous council vote, she only needed a majority, with 29 of the 50 aldermen ultimately voting yes.
Eve Ewing on why some communities just can't get over school closings
If Chicago schools are so bad, why do people fight to keep them from closing? Eve Ewing’s new book “Ghosts in the Schoolyard” explores that question. In doing so, she touches a wound still festering in Chicago communities five years after the massive 2013 school closings, which she calls a case study on the powerful role race and racism play in policy decisions.
Kim Foxx claims victory in Cook County State’s Attorney race, defeating Pat O’Brien
Kim Foxx smiles as the Black Caucus endorses incumbent Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Thursday, March 12, 2020 in Chicago, Ill. | Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago Kim Foxx has declared victory in the race for the Cook County state’s attorney position despite facing a stiff challenge from Patrick O’Brien. Foxx, the incumbent and a Chicago native, was first elected to the post in 2016, her victory celebrated by activists who saw her as ushering in a new era at the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Analysis: Black Chicago youth are disenchanted by 2020 election options, but hope for a progressive future
Some folks, like 20-year-old Blake Saint David — eligible to vote for president for the first time this year — don’t particularly agree with all of Kanye’s politics but value some of the things West outlines in his platform. “Don’t get me wrong, I disagree with all that wild shit he says,” says Saint David, who uses they/them pronouns. “I believe in abolishing the police and prisons, and I feel like the government should provide families with basic necessities like housing, education, and water.
Black Chicago youth are disenchanted by 2020 election options, but hope for a progressive future
Some folks, like 20-year-old Blake Saint David — eligible to vote for president for the first time this year — don’t particularly agree with all of Kanye’s politics but value some of the things West outlines in his platform. “Don’t get me wrong, I disagree with all that wild shit he says,” says Saint David, who uses they/them pronouns. “I believe in abolishing the police and prisons, and I feel like the government should provide families with basic necessities like housing, education, and water.
Mayor's Judge Support Disappoints Juvenile Justice Advocates
By JOHN SEASLY and ADESHINA EMMANUEL of Injustice Watch CHICAGO (AP) — Juvenile justice reform advocates said they are disappointed with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for headlining an election fundraiser for Cook County Judge Michael Toomin, who is running for another six-year term. Toomin, the county’s presiding juvenile justice division judge, has been criticized for opposing reforms that advocates say would keep more youth out of the criminal justice system.
Mayor's judge support disappoints juvenile justice advocates
Mayor's judge support disappoints juvenile justice advocates CHICAGO (AP) — Juvenile justice reform advocates said they are disappointed with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for headlining an election fundraiser for Cook County Judge Michael Toomin, who is running for another six-year term. Toomin, the county’s presiding juvenile justice division judge, has been criticized for opposing reforms that advocates say would keep more youth out of the criminal justice system.
Chicago mayor's support of Judge Michael Toomin leaves juvenile justice advocates 'disappointed'
Toomin: Handout; Lightfoot: Prachatai/Flickr Judge Michael Toomin and Mayor Lori Lightfoot Juvenile justice reform advocates said they are disappointed with Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot for headlining an election fundraiser for Cook County Judge Michael Toomin, who is running for another six-year term. Toomin, the county’s presiding juvenile justice division judge, has been criticized for opposing reforms that advocates say would keep more youth out of the criminal justice system.
Check Your Judges: Why Cook County judicial elections matter
Injustice Watch is partnering with The TRiiBE to provide stories, perspectives, and critical information about the 2020 Election. Click here for Injustice Watch’s judicial election guide. As President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden wrestle atop the 2020 election ballot, 61 Cook County judges at the bottom of the ticket are vying to keep their jobs. But the judges running for retention don’t craft viral tweets or make many headlines. Investigations that expose, influence and inform.
Check Your Judges: Why Cook County judicial elections matter
By Adeshina Emmanuel, Injustice Watch and Carlos Ballesteros, Injustice Watch Oct 15 2020 Oct 15 2020 Voters cast their ballots at the early voting “Super Site” in downtown Chicago on Oct. 1, 2020. Photo by kayodidthat // The TRiiBE
Listen: Youth organizers discuss Black joy, West Side history and the future
Kaleb Autman, 18, is a creative director, producer, writer, and organizer based out of Garfield Park. Destiny Harris, 19, is an organizer and poet from the Austin neighborhood. This piece was produced in collaboration with the South Side Weekly for Injustice Watch’s Essential Work series about young Black community organizers in Chicago.
Essential Work: West Side youth organizers Destiny and Kaleb in conversation – South Side Weekly
Two West Side youth organizers and friends—Destiny Harris and Kaleb Autman—discuss organizing on the West Side, why they bring historical context to the work being done today, and what they hope for themselves and their community in ten years. Read Destiny and Kaleb’s written pieces in Injustice Watch. This is the second installment in the “Essential Work” series, a collaboration between Injustice Watch and South Side Weekly. Stay tuned for more. . Kaleb Autman: Hi guys, I’m Kaleb Autman.
Cicero police employee accused of domestic violence kept job despite investigator’s warning
An internal police investigation sustained domestic violence allegations against a Cicero detention officer, and an investigator warned that keeping him on payroll would discredit the department. But the police suspended the alleged abuser instead. (Illustration by Veronica Martínez) This story was produced in collaboration with Cicero Independiente.
‘To be a West Side organizer’ Original
Destiny Harris, 19, is a Black queer woman from the Austin neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago who organizes with Dissenters, an antimilitarist group, Generation Green, a Black environmentalist group, and various other Black youth-led organizations in Chicago. This essay was published as part of Essential Work, an Injustice Watch first-person series by young Black activists in Chicago who are wrestling with the coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice, and police violence.
The Chicago Board of Elections is recruiting nearly 13,000 residents to work the polls this election season Original
Injustice Watch is partnering with The TRiiBE to provide stories, perspectives, and critical information about the 2020 Election. Paulina Mysliwiec supervises the election judge department at the Chicago Board of Elections. For the past two months, she’s been reviewing applications for poll workers as the city prepares for the 2020 general election on Nov. 3. Investigations that expose, influence and inform. Emailed directly to you.
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