What is the Investigative Project on Race and Equity?

It’s been a busy week. We officially launched the Investigative Project on Race and Equity last Wednesday when we published our inaugural investigation, the first installment in a series on traffic stops with WBEZ Chicago. In the first story, we analyzed more than 42 million traffic stop records and found that Illinois has gone backward since former Illinois state Sen. Barack Obama pushed the Traffic Stop Statistical Study Act through the legislature 20 years ago. The next day we released the second installment, looking into why so many Black drivers are being stopped for low-level violations. On Sunday, the Chicago Sun-Times dedicated the front page and seven inside pages of its Oct. 1 edition to our investigation. We can’t say it enough — we’re incredibly proud of this work.

But what exactly IS the Investigative Project on Race and Equity?  

The Investigative Project on Race and Equity trains journalists in data-driven reporting and collaborates with news organizations to uncover systemic racism through compelling stories that inform public discourse and drive change. 

Training includes apprenticeships for early-career journalists — with a focus on people of color — and workshops on finding stories in data and other investigative techniques. Tapping into a large network of veteran reporters, editors and educators, we help journalists develop investigative skills, while creating a pipeline of diverse and skilled reporters that strengthens the journalism ecosystem in Chicago and beyond.

Using data and documents, the Investigative Project reports facts, not opinions. We expose systemic injustice and document patterns of abuse and failed oversight. Through collaborations, we bring investigative firepower to newsrooms while building their capacity to cover underrepresented communities. Working together, we expand the reach of our reporting and amplify its impact. 

The Investigative Project recognizes that real people are behind the data. We elevate the voices of people affected by discrimination and inequity, while being respectful of the trauma they have endured. Our stories highlight solutions and share information that community members can use to effect change, including data that is hidden in plain sight. 
 

Why is there a need for the Investigative Project on Race and Equity?

In this time of vast economic inequality and a national conversation on race, Chicago-area policymakers and residents need a data-driven journalism enterprise that looks at multiple issues through a race and equity lens, and trains journalists to do the same. While many newsrooms in Chicago do aspects of this work, our highly experienced network of veteran reporters, editors and educators is unrivaled. 
 

Is the Investigative Project related to The Chicago Reporter or the Community Renewal Society?

No. The Investigative Project grew out of a group of Reporter alumni and civic leaders, originally called Friends of The Chicago Reporter. It is not affiliated with The Chicago Reporter or its publisher, the Community Renewal Society.
 

Who funds the Investigative Project?

The Investigative Project is a nonprofit organization funded by grants and individual donors. We have received funding from The Chicago Community Trust, The Joyce Foundation, The Field Foundation of Illinois and Chicago Headline Club Foundation. We will add earned revenue to this mix as our capacity grows. 
 

Is the Investigative Project aligned with professional organizations?

The Investigative Project is a member of the Institute for Nonprofit News and the Solutions Journalism Network. It is an inaugural partner of the Midwest Solutions Journalism Hub at the Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications.

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