The Chicagoan

Mary Scala’s heart has always been in the hospitality industry. She started working in restaurants at a young age, but amidst the pandemic, she lost her job like so many others. As Scala was trying to understand her next step in life, she spent a lot of sleepless nights researching future foods and food supply chains.

Growing up in the projects on the South Side, Dr Michael Airhart never let his circumstances weigh him down. Given the name “The Black MacGyver” by his friends and neighbors, Michael found a way to create, with whatever was available to him.

To say Juan Leyva has been on a journey would be an understatement. Like many immigrant stories, his family would travel undocumented from Mexico to Chicago, where he’d realize a destiny that awaited him. Though never imagining a life in hospitality, Juan is now in charge of one of the most prestigious hotels in Chicago: Oxford Hotels & Resorts - LondonHouse.

Jim Williams, co-anchor of CBS2 Chicago's 4 p.m. newscast, as well as host and  producer of "Stories to Tell,” joins Stephanie Welter to share his Chicagoan story. 

It is no secret that the pandemic had put a damper on so many favorite Chicago events the last few years, especially the annual Pride Parade. This year though, Pride Parade was back with a vengeance and she slayed.

It’s been over two years since Chicago’s West Loop has been able to celebrate the Taste of Randolph Street festival. For most, it has felt like an eternity. However, this past weekend, June 18-19, the festival was resurrected in time to celebrate its 25th anniversary and the weather couldn’t have been more perfect.

A native Chicagoan, Alicia Dale loves her city and more importantly, the people in it. Choosing to live, work and volunteer in areas that weren’t always so popular to live near, she was and is inspired by change. A professional ghostwriter by trade, she shares her experiences of getting involved in her community to make a difference.

Shamilya Woods is an author, motivational speaker and the CEO of Candidly Speaking; all while being a full time Principal at the University of Chicago Charter School.

On the first episode of the Chicagoan podcast, realtor Shannon Sutton sits down with her friend, Samantha Clark, a local clothing boutique owner.