By Cindy Von Quednow
The UNITY News Online

Does the ideal newsroom exist? It does once every four years in a selected city in the United States.

It includes hungry reporters and photographers, video editors, producers and camera people for print, web, radio and TV from all over the nation. You name it, we’ve got it. The UNITY News, that is our name, convergence and diversity is our game.

But we’re forgetting the final element to this newsroom of the future: mentors, also known as overseers, helpers, guides and masters of a craft who have taken time away from their personal and professional lives to help aspiring journalists hone their skills and their futures.

It was our mentors’ jobs to come up with newsworthy story ideas in the “Windy City”, assign stories, shape stories and edit the final product.

“I wanted to give back to the next generation of mentors,” said Tracy Jan, a reporter for the Boston Globe and a mentor in the print track.

“I know that some of my reporters this week were probably frustrated at times… I’m sure they thought I was a pain, but I‘m hoping that they got something out of it.”

Editorship requires management and patience. “She’s been tough but she’s never been mean,” said Virginia Torres, a student who is currently Jan’s mentee in the UNITY newsroom. “If anything [Jan's] been really patient and helpful.”

Those characteristics are required in any field of journalism, and it’s easier to acquire them when you have someone guiding your steps.

“Jerome’s been one of the best mentors I’ve ever had, he’s been really hospitable,” said Martha Flores, a radio student working with mentor, Jerome Vaughn. “He goes beyond the extra mile to help students and I’m pretty sure that if he wasn’t a mentor, he’d still be helping me.”

During this unique experience I have met journalists with all kinds of backgrounds and goals. The fact that we have had the privilege to be mentored by seasoned professionals who have been through the same grinder and are now working for prestigious organizations is impressive.

Experience and practice is nice and all, but reassurance, guidance and just a simple pat on the back or a kick in the tush can go a long way.

This is a collective “thank you” to our mentors, for guiding us through this tough but worthwhile endeavor of media convergence. Your diverse backgrounds, stories and lives completed our utopian newsroom, and I hope that the four organizations that come together once every four years will continue working hard to make the eclectic newsroom in the McCormick center a reality.

And who knows, maybe we’ll see you in four years!

By Dioni L. Wise
The UNITY News Online

If you’re like me, you’re a little sad that the UNITY convention is coming to a close. On the bright side, you still have Saturday to make the most of your trip. Yay! Before you head to the airport or Amtrak station, check out the opportunities listed below.

1. NETWORK: Saturday is the last day to talk with recruiters at the Career Fair and Media Expo and mingle with current and potential co-workers. Make the final rounds at the fair from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.; the media reception, 5 to 6:30 p.m.

2. PARTY: Close out the convention with a bang at three parties in the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and towers.

AAJA/UNITY Karaoke Night, Exhibition Hall A, 9 p.m.

NABJ Tampa Kick-Off Party, Chicago Ballroom, 9 p.m.

NAHJ ¡Vamos Pa’ Puerto Rico!, Chicago Ballroom, 10:30 p.m.

3. ATTEND WORKSHOPS: Workshop topics range from ethical immigration coverage to maximizing internships to reaching an offline audience in an online world.

4. EAT DEEP DISH PIZZA: Take a bite of one of Chicago’s well-known delicacies. Here’s a suggestion. Visit Pizzeria Uno, the birthplace of this Chicago-style pizza, at 29 E. Ohio St.

5. SEE THE LIGHTS: Tonight Chicago celebrates its 51^st Annual Venetian Night. Thirty-five boats will be aglow with lights and props as they sail along beautiful Lake Michigan. A musically synchronized fireworks display will follow the parade.

By Gerrick D. Lewis
The UNITY News Online

About the Takeaway: In this feature, UNITY News Online takes to the streets to uncover which famous Chicago eateries have earned their reputations, and which ones should be put to rest. The final article in the series is Chicago’s pizza.

Giordano's Pizza is known for their Chicago style deep dish.

The moment I arrived at my hotel I craved a slice of piping hot Chicago-style pizza. Coming from Columbus, Ohio I can satisfy my love of the classic Uno’s, by way of the frozen food aisle. Not autentico!

I made my way to the Chicago standard Giordano’s, located in Prudential Plaza, with two student reporters.

We were greeted with a large sign advertising just how magnificent the place is. With the words ‘World Famous’ in its tag line, the atmosphere was inviting and the compelling aroma of garlic and cheese made my stomach grumble.

With varying palates, we decided to play it safe and order a thin crust with pepperoni and sausage – a classic, even though the stuffed pizza (which is their specialty) made me drool like Homer Simpson would a sprinkled donut.

And I must say- the thin crust version was delectable. My serving was cheesy, with just the right amount of toppings and sauce supported by a crispy crust. But, there was just something about it that didn’t necessarily set it apart.

It’s not that I set the bar super high… Okay, maybe I did. This is Chicago, after all, and I was expecting a pizza qualified to rival New York’s. But I refused to throw in the towel and went back in the ring for round two.

Later that week, a local Chicagoan pointed me to Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta on E. Madison Street to try some deep dish.

With a massive appetite, I hastily ordered “Mark’s Special,” which included sliced tomatoes, basil and fresh garlic, (which according to their menu, Oprah loves).

Now, I’m going to tell you a little secret: I watch an unhealthy amount lot of Food Network. In fact, I’m so addicted to the channel, that when I go out of town I’ll recreate Rachel Ray’s adventures in Cuisineland to cope with my separation anxiety. Unfortunately, Pizano’s deep dish was not so yumm-o.

The disappointment was heavier than the would-be pieces of pie as I thought “Wait, this isn’t deep dish! And why does her thin crust look just like my pizza?”

The crust was underwhelming and a bit on the thin side. The thinly sliced tomatoes laid over an even thinner serving of sauce did nothing to help the mediocre taste of stale basil and garlic.

So here I am - nearly done with my time in Chicago - still without tasting that one slice of pizza that Chicago has claimed to rival even New York’s pie.

The Takeway: Giordano’s makes an excellent thin crust pizza. I give them 3.5 out of five, but next time I’ll pass on the regular and go for the stuffed pizza.

If you go to Pizano’s, skip the deep dish. Another student in the group got a thin crust and it was outstanding. But my deep dish experience gives them a 2 out of five.

For all the UNITY folks reading please give me suggestions. Where do I need to go? What are your favorite places to get a slice of pie?

By Amy Phan
The UNITY News Online
Ask a few people around town to describe the 228 neighborhoods in Chicago and two distinctions systematically arise: the north side and the south side of Chicago. While 3 million people live within the “Windy City,” it’s uncommon for a person living in the south side to encounter north-sider.
22-year-old Danielle Hester, who grew up in the South side of Chicago, wasn’t introduced to North side culture until about 4 years ago, when she attended DePaul University.
The stereotypes, she said, remains.

“You can stay out all night without getting harmed at all on the north side, as opposed to the south side,” said Hester. People on the north side tend to ride bikes and walk out late at night. “People don’t do that stuff on the south side.”

Statistically speaking, the south side of Chicago is mostly a working class, with a population of 38,596 according to the 2000 U.S. consensus. Over 68 percent are black, followed by 26 percent Hispanic and 3 percent white.

The north side of Chicago is also working class, but with a much different color. About 47 percent are white, while 36 percent are black.  “The north side is a mostly white clientele, more upscale, nicer cars. And nicer houses are common,” according to Antonio Sharp, a Wisconsin transplant who now lives in Chicago.

But there were projects there too.

It was only when the city of Chicago decided to sell the northern properties to contractors and real estate developers that people began relocating to the south side. The gentrification eventually attracted big business and developments, it wasn’t long before better jobs followed suite.

But growing up in the ‘70s, Sharp recalls seeing prostitution, homelessness and poorer living conditions than the north side.  Sharp said he hasn’t seen many changes.

“When I go back to the south side [of Chicago], I still see a lot of poverty.” But with recent development such as the McCormick Place on the south side, he said he hopes the economy will get better.

Meanwhile Hester noted that there are some gains and losses made from recent developments.
“I look at gentrification in two ways, positive and negative. You want revenue and economy but at the same time you can’t strip away the culture,” she said. “We’re not New York.”

Does a growing economy have to mean loss of cultural identity? What other solutions are there for the south side of Chicago besides gentrification to thrive alongside its North counterpart?

By MICHELLE D. ANDERSON
The UNITY News Online

Grammy Award-winning songstress Patti Austin recently took time out of her busy schedule to discuss why she’s supporting NABJ and other UNITY: Journalists of Color, Inc.’s alliance organizations during its upcoming benefit concert on Saturday.

Austin will perform during the organization’s Challenge Fund Benefit concert in effort to help raise $75,000 for its media diversity initiatives.

A protégé of jazz artist Dinah Washington and entertainer Sammy Davis Jr., Austin also discussed her first Grammy award win, her new single, “Grace of God,” and other causes she’s passionate about.