Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Welcomes CPS Students to City Hall for Inaugural Youth Media Day
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CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed students from five Chicago Public Schools (CPS) high schools to City Hall today for the first ever Youth Media Day. This event, grounded in the City's 2025 Youth Impact Report, provided 60 students with a hands-on civic learning experience. The students had the opportunity to work alongside professional photographers and communications specialists to develop strategic presentations on important city issues such as youth safety and employment opportunities. They also had the chance to ask Mayor Johnson questions during a live press conference.

According to Mayor Johnson, these students are not just the leaders, entrepreneurs, and journalists of tomorrow, but they are actively shaping the future of Chicago today. By inviting young people into spaces like City Hall, the mayor believes that their voices are being affirmed and that they belong in decisions that impact the city. He also emphasized the importance of uplifting and encouraging Chicago's next generation of storytellers, especially at a time when powerful forces in the country are trying to silence journalists.

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The five high schools invited to participate in Youth Media Day were Back of the Yards College Preparatory, Marie Curie Metropolitan High School, Dunbar Vocational Career Academy, Hyde Park Academy, and Carl Schurz High School. These students had the opportunity to collaborate with professional media and communications leaders, analyze findings from the Youth Impact Report, participate in workshops focused on youth safety and employment opportunities, and lead a live press conference with Mayor Johnson.

Dr. Macquline King, CPS Interim CEO/Superintendent, expressed her excitement about engaging students in ways that challenge their thinking and spark their curiosity. She believes that by providing real-world experiences like Youth Media Day, students can discover what truly fulfills them and graduate ready to lead successful lives.

Youth Media Day not only provided students with hands-on learning experiences but also gave them a chance to earn recognition aligned with Illinois State Board of Education's College and Career Pathway Endorsement (CCPE) in arts and communications. This event also supports CPS Career and Technical Education pathways and provides participants with portfolio-ready work, professional exposure, and college- and career-connected credentials.

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Currently, approximately 1,800 CPS students are exploring careers in broadcast and digital media across the district. Events like Youth Media Day help strengthen this pipeline by connecting classroom learning to civic leadership and real-time communications work.

The City's Youth Impact Report outlines its investments in youth employment, education pathways, and community safety. By centering the report in a real-world media challenge, Youth Media Day transforms policy into practice and gives students a platform to analyze, interpret, and communicate the City's work from a youth perspective.

Youth Media Day reflects the City's commitment to expanding access to high-quality, career-connected experiences for Chicago's young people. It ensures that they not only have a seat at the table but also have the skills to lead important conversations about their city's future.

Filed Under: Government, City

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