Vocalo's By The Way

This interview was produced by Vocalo host Luis Perez.

Su Casa is a home for Latino families in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Those living there include recent immigrants struggling with poverty and homelessness as well as longtime Chicago residents escaping domestic abuse. I visit the house and witness the community they’ve formed. Story by Vocalo Storytelling Workshop participant - Justyna Bicz.

Vocalo's Story Telling Workshop participant Hana Worku explores online privacy through the voices of her peers.

Vocalo Storytelling Workshop participant, Blas Diaz, explores mental health issues through talking with his Aunt who candidly shares her experiences struggling with mental health.

Vocalo contributor Ryan Bedell discusses whether any bands from the 1990s to the present carry the same weight as The Beatles and other legendary artists once did. Who will people still be talking about in 50 years?

The word "gesture" isn't typically associated with sound but verbal gestures have become a major part of the English language. American Sign Language and Linguistics professor Dr. Jim Van Manen discusses how these sounds are used in our daily conversations. This piece was produced by Vocalo contributor Kellie Wyatt.

In this piece, Vocalo collaborator Ryan Bedell explains the importance of knowing the history of music and its roots, and why you should listen and appreciate the oldies.

How do we put the human at the center of public education? Meet Deno, a student at North Lawndale College Prep who comes back to teachers to complete a graduation requirement and graduate. Heidi Bojorges for Vocalo

Trains, buses, and automobiles. There's a lot of ways to get from point A to point B. Vocalo's Renata Sago speaks with commuters who have found ways to navigate the City of Chicago that have some unexpected benefits. She also speaks with Melody Geraci from the Active Transit Alliance, a non-profit advocacy group that aims to support biking, walking, and mass transit. This piece was produced by Vocalo in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council. Since 1934, the Metropolitan Planning...

Vocalo's Ayana Contreras speaks with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle about the Cook County Land Bank initiative, in which Cook County purchased foreclosed land and buildings from banks. She also talks to Karen Trout and Laura Michel, friends and residents of Avers Avenue in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood. They've organized their block to build and maintain a community garden/playground on a vacant lot. This piece was produced by Vocalo in partnership with the Metropolitan...

Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood has a long and storied history. It also has a lot of people who are imagining the future of the South Side community. Vocalo's Renata Sago talks to community stakeholders trying to make their community a better place. This piece was produced by Vocalo in partnership with the Metropolitan Planning Council. Since 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. MPC serves...

How do gang boundaries define lives? An inside out view from the hood and the real life stories of growing up divided. - Jacqueline Serrato for Vocalo

What are the origins this dance? How did it begin? Who are the rising talents of this subculture in the west side of Chicago? Visual artist Phil Jackson brings us on a few video shoots and introduces us to Dlow and Lil Kemo, the kings of bopping. -Tariq Weaver for Vocalo

Vocalo contributor Mark A. Child attended the My Little Pony convention BronyCon 2013, which was hosted in Baltimore this past Summer. Mark went into the con to take an in depth look into the fan base of the franchise’s latest cartoon series, entitled ‘My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic’ and its highly unexpected, but very serious adult audience. From ages 8-80, 800+ ‘Bronies’ have gathered for a weekend of Friendship and Fun.

Dogs who work for people with disabilities can do much more than act as a set of eyes. Reporter Haleema Shah looks at the ways dogs provide emotional support, helping people who live with depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

"The people that leave their language behind are dissolved, they are finished, and their traces cannot be found. And the nation that kept their language, that protected their language, even living in 2000 years in exile, they had their own country named Israel." -Naseem Sarwar Vocalo contributor Haleema Shah explored the history of one of the world’s most underestimated languages by speaking with the owner of a bookstore Kitab Ghar, the House of Urdu Literature in West Rogers Park.

Akua Naru is an internationally recognized musician and poet who dabbles in hip hop, storytelling and "cool." Writer, journalist and Vocalo contributor Claudia Garcia Rojas spoke with the talented artist about artistic ownership, gender, hip hop and other groovy things. Produced and edited by Fyodor Sakhnovski.

Joceline's monologue talks about the behind-the-scenes life of a person that many commuters see everyday... their bus driver. With an interview conducted by Martha Razo. This monologue is a part of Latinos Progresando's Teatro Americano program.