The Worst Week in My Professional Life: A Raw Look at Building a News Organization in the Southland

Welcome to the first installment of this “tell-all” series on starting a nonprofit news organization in the Southland—the Southeast suburbs of Chicago. Today, I’m stripping away the polished PR language and diving headfirst into the grit of a week that has been nothing short of horrible.

The Daily Grind Meets Political Mayhem

I spend most days holed up in my own workspace, methodically building connections, scouting potential collaborators, and piecing together the funding puzzle. I’m not the type who thrives on constant in-person networking, but I do make it a point to fill my calendar with face-to-face meetings whenever possible. In those moments, I get a real sense of who is out there—and who might be invited into this growing project.

Yet, despite a passion for building something meaningful for the community, the external environment is downright maddening. Politics in the Southland is a tangled web, and this week, the circus of mudslinging and backroom deals has been at an all-time high. With primary elections looming in February and a consolidated general election in April, the air is thick with tension and conflict. It feels as though every day brings a new layer of political theater.

Social Media, Spats, and Unexpected Attacks

My morning started on a sour note: I woke up to a barrage of online attacks. A random stranger decided to take aim at me simply for supporting an activist—a stark reminder of how volatile things have become. Later, a comment posted on a citizen’s Facebook page quickly escalated into a heated exchange. What began as an attempt to share insight devolved into a contentious back-and-forth with someone fiercely defending a specific candidate. By the end of it, it was impossible to tell whether the debate was with a precocious youth or an overly incensed adult. The experience left me more bewildered than anything else.

A subsequent Zoom call with local movers and shakers turned confusing when the points raised didn’t seem to align with any statutes or facts I was familiar with. I’ll undoubtedly need to dig deeper into that discussion. In short, the digital landscape has been as challenging and unpredictable as any boardroom or community meeting.

The Tangled Web of Local Politics

In another twist, the electoral board in the township is challenging Napoleon Harris—yes, the same Napoleon Harris running for the supervisor seat in Thornton Township—over questions regarding his listed residence in Harvey. Though this challenge might sound trivial at first glance, it underscores a pervasive environment where the lines between fact and fabrication blur.

What really gets me, though, isn’t just the challenge itself but the web of connections it exposes. Those challenging Harris seem to have ties to the current power structures. I listened to one of the witnesses—a figure who happens to be the mayor of Harvey, a man under intense scrutiny for alleged corruption and financial mismanagement. Even more baffling, this witness also serves as the FOIA officer for a neighboring community, Calumet City, which has its own controversial mayor aligned in some way with Harris. It’s a political labyrinth where loyalties and roles overlap in baffling, often suspect ways.

Then there’s the bizarre crossover in local elections: the individual encountered on Facebook was strikingly defensive—so much so that it raised the question of whether they might be connected to that well-known attorney who is closely tied to the mayor in Dolton. This attorney is now running for office in Hazelcrest, a community neighboring the ever-coveted Homewood. It’s impossible to say for certain if the connection is real, but the fervor and defensiveness displayed hinted at deeper ties that make the local political landscape feel like an intricately tangled web where everyone seems interconnected in ways that defy logic and undermine trust.

Torn Between Passion and Disillusionment

I love what I do—building something from the ground up, putting the pieces in place, and envisioning a future where communities are informed, engaged, and thriving. And yet, these past few days have left me questioning everything. Every new connection or funding opportunity is accompanied by the bitter taste of political backstabbing and corruption.

Sometimes, I’m nearly tempted to retreat to my little haven in Will County, away from the relentless chaos of Cook County politics. Although I have longstanding ties to the region, the ongoing conflicts and betrayals make it increasingly difficult to avoid disillusionment. I find myself at a crossroads. On one hand, I want to expose the truth—airing out the dirty laundry so that fellow citizens, who work hard and pay taxes, know exactly what’s going on with their money and governance. On the other, I worry about the impact this raw exposure might have on young journalists who are just stepping into this arena. They deserve to see a path that doesn’t force them to compromise their ideals amid overwhelming pushback.

Looking Ahead

Here I am, venting in what might become a regular series of posts—a space to document not just victories and progress but also the raw, unfiltered challenges of navigating this chaotic political environment. While I’m still working on candidate highlights and piecing together every element of this endeavor, I needed to get this off my chest.

Yes, this week has been one of the worst in my professional life in a long time. Yet every battle, every confusing Zoom call, and every online spat is part of the journey toward building a platform that truly serves the people. I remain committed to unearthing the truth, no matter how messy or convoluted it may be. Transparency is essential—even if that means airing out the uncomfortable details.

Thank you for taking the time to read this venting session. I promise to keep sharing the ups and downs, the wins and losses, as I continue this journey. Stay tuned for more raw, unfiltered updates as I navigate the twists and turns of starting a news organization in the Southland. Until next time, keep questioning, stay informed, and remember: the truth is out there, even if it’s wrapped in a little chaos.

Worst because, I have never ever witnessed in my work a full out brawl by the people who are supposed to be the decision-makers. See my last post on One Purpose Magazine for more on that.