Top 21 Women’s Boards Driving the Future of U.S. Nonprofits

Women make up nearly 75 percent of the nonprofit workforce — yet fewer than 42 percent of nonprofit boards are chaired by women, and only 22 percent of the sector’s largest organizations are led by women. This persistent gender gap, often fueled by entrenched biases and a “glass escalator” effect that propels men faster into […]

Can Mentorship Close America’s Graduation Gap?

When Antoine first met his Big Brother, Connor, through Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), their connection was effortless — forged over pickup basketball games, trampoline park outings, and shared plates of good food. What began as simple fun soon became something much more powerful: a steady source of guidance and belonging. After losing his older […]

Chicago International Film Festival 2025: 18 Must-See Films

The 61st Chicago International Film Festival hits theaters across the city October 15–26, 2025, with more than 100 features and 11 shorts from 70 countries. This year’s lineup spans genres and geographies — from gripping dramas and heartwarming comedies to documentaries that shine a light on urgent global issues. For Artistic Director Mimi Plauché, the […]

Behind the Music That Ignites 'Carmen' — Joffrey Ballet's Bold Season Opener

In a smoky cigarette factory on the brink of civil war, love becomes a battlefield in the The Joffrey Ballet’s U.S. premiere of Liam Scarlett’s Carmen at the Lyric Opera House. Opening the Joffrey’s 70th anniversary season on Sept. 18, 2025, Scarlett’s Carmen brings striking new visual intensity to Georges Bizet‘s iconic score — but it’s the music, […]

11 Fascinating Photos Revealing the Geography of Clean Energy

From Chile’s Atacama Desert to Japan’s floating solar farms and Texas wind corridors, photographer Jamey Stillings uses his Fujifilm GFX100 to capture the sweeping transformation of the world’s energy landscape. Through his multi-decade project, Changing Perspectives: Renewable Energy and the Shifting Human Landscape, Stillings shows how photography can be both a source of information and a […]

A Major Barrier Keeps Human Trafficking Survivors From Stability — This Organization Helps Break It

Escaping a trafficker is often seen as the finish line. In reality, it’s only the beginning.  According to the 2023 Polaris National Survivor Study, 43 percent of survivors earn less than $25,000 annually, compared to 26 percent of the general U.S. population. Survivors emerge from exploitation with no income, limited education, no savings, and often […]