Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
Reporter, Race, Class and Communities
Previously, she was the communications manager for the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. Before her time at the IOP, Esther was an editor at Chicago magazine, where she reported, wrote, edited, photographed, designed and produced award-winning stories for the website and print magazine. Prior to Chicago magazine, she worked as a breaking news producer for the Tribune Company. Aside from her work on the web, Esther has covered the Chicago Public Schools and juvenile court beats and has written for various publications. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern University and has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the journalism school.
Born in South Korea, she grew up in Paraguay and the Washington, D.C., area. She lives in Chicago with her family.
Stories by Esther Yoon-Ji Kang
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With Anti-Asian Attacks On The Rise, Webinar Teaches Bystanders How To Help
Chicago groups are leading bystander intervention trainings to teach people ways to help, like creating a distraction when someone is being harassed.
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How Starring In ‘Minari’ Helped Steven Yeun Understand His Korean Immigrant Parents
“There was something about honoring the humanity of the generation prior to us, about seeing them as the full human beings that they are.”
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Gig Economy Workers Battle Traffic, Bots And Algorithms To Bring Food To Your Doorstep
Business for Instacart and other app-based services is thriving, but the people shopping for your groceries are hustling to get by.
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New Statewide Initiative Seeks To Address Racial Gaps Among The Elderly In Illinois
Advocacy groups will push for laws that expand retirement savings, property tax relief and health insurance coverage for seniors of color.
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Illinois Loses Population For The 7th Year In A Row
Illinois lost almost 2% of its residents from 2010 to 2020. West Virginia was the only state to see a higher rate of population loss.
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Even With Looser COVID Rules, Some Chicago Restaurants Stick To Takeout
Many eateries welcomed the return of indoor diners over the weekend, but others hesitated, citing the spread of a more contagious coronavirus variant.
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Chicago State Prof Slams 1776 Report For Ignoring The Full Story Of Slavery In America
“We throw old history away,” said Lionel Kimble Jr., “because it doesn’t make Americans feel good about the atrocities that we’ve done.”
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National Activist Lends Support To Police Abolition Push At Northwestern
At a Martin Luther King Day event, Mariame Kaba, known for her work on prison abolition, said students are “taking up King’s struggle.”
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Supporters Vouch For Father Pfleger In Wake Of Sex-Abuse Allegation
The priest of St. Sabina Church responded to the investigation in a Facebook post. “I am devastated, hurt and yes angry.”
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Watching “Minari,” I Saw My Immigrant Experience On The Screen For The First Time
The struggles of growing up Korean American in Annandale, Virginia, came flooding back to me in Lee Isaac Chung’s new film.
