Patti Smith has worn many titles through the years — rocker, godmother of punk, poet, artist, writer, wife, mother, sister, advocate, friend, mentor, muse. For a brief chapter at the beginning of her story, she was also a Chicagoan. Returning to the city where she was baptized in 1947, Smith joined Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy […]
From book bans and attacks on journalists and free speech to federal funding cuts and the loss of literary spaces, the ecosystem that sustains reading and writing is under growing pressure. Libraries, newsrooms, classrooms, and independent bookstores are all feeling the strain. Taken together, these forces point to something larger. “[T]he biggest crisis of our […]
Few composers have shaped the sound of modern cinema as profoundly as Howard Shore. Across more than 90 genre-spanning film scores — from The Silence of the Lambs, Philadelphia, and The Aviator, to lighter favorites like Big and Mrs. Doubtfire — the Canadian composer has built a career defined by musical storytelling. But it is […]
As Chicago winter makes its last stand, the March calendar is filling with reasons to get out the door. From St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and museum exhibitions to buzzworthy stage premieres and neighborhood food festivals, there’s no shortage of ways to spend a late-winter weekend around Chicagoland — but we’ll help you narrow it down. […]
When people talk about gun violence, they often start with statistics. Since 2020, firearms have emerged as the leading cause of death among children in the United States, where youth are 10 times more likely to die by a gun than their peers in Canada. Each year, nearly 43,000 Americans die from gun-related injuries, and […]
February — which it is worth noting, is the shortest month of the year — is Black History Month in America, and traditionally, when you’ll see Black-owned restaurant roundups like this one (written by a white food journalist, no less). But you’d be a fool to give short shrift to any of these terrific places, […]
Chicago winters don’t slow the city down. February is stacked with performances, exhibitions, and high-energy fundraisers, from Black History Month programming to buzzy benefits and can’t-miss shows across the city and suburbs. This is your field guide to the month. Don’t forget to tag us in your posts on Instagram @makeitbetter_foundation. All Month Short Shakespeare! […]
The best leadership lessons rarely come from classrooms or corporate playbooks; they come from people who live them every day — leaders who elevate others and approach their work with a sense of purpose that’s both personal and practical. Three women who embody that approach — Michelle Sybil Melendez, Managing Director of Strategic Partnerships at […]
With JOY, GRATITUDE, and HOPE, we introduce the 2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards Winners and celebrate the remarkable work they do every day to strengthen families, empower communities, and create lasting change. Rigorously vetted by our panel of experts, these 43 nonprofits set the highest standards of excellence, leadership, scalability, and impact. Our […]
January in Chicago offers the perfect mix of festive finales and fresh starts. From last chances to see holiday light displays to cultural exhibitions, performances, and culinary delights, we’re highlighting the best ways to kick off the new year in style with the best things to do in Chicago and the suburbs in January 2026. […]
