01
Message from Leadership
"The foundation we've built is strong, the partnerships we've forged are deep, and the impact we're creating is measurable and meaningful."
Dear Members and Supporters,
As Board Chair of CAN TV, I'm deeply proud of what our organization has accomplished in 2025 – and even more importantly, what it represents in the broader ecosystem of Chicago's media and corporate landscape.
When I first joined CAN TV's Board, I was moved by a fundamental truth: authentic diversity and equity aren't just values to talk about – they're values to live. And CAN TV doesn't just talk about centering marginalized voices; it does the hard, essential work of actually doing it. In an era when many organizations are retreating from their equity commitments, CAN TV is advancing them.
This year, we strengthened our Board through the addition of four exceptional leaders – Kenneth Jones, Baronica Roberson, Chris Brown, and Dr. Gwendolyn Ogelsby-Odom – who bring diverse expertise, perspective, and lived experience. This expansion isn't symbolic; it reflects our genuine commitment to governance that mirrors the communities we serve. A Board that looks like Chicago, thinks like Chicago, and is accountable to Chicago – that's how we ensure our mission stays rooted in our values.
Equally important has been the deepening of our partnerships with both corporate and nonprofit sectors. From major funders like Old National Bank and Press Forward to strategic partners across healthcare, finance, and community development, we've demonstrated that the private sector can – and should – invest in community media as a public good. These partnerships aren't transactional; they're relationships built on shared commitment to equity and community transformation.
"From major funders like Old National Bank and Press Forward to strategic partners across healthcare, finance, and community development, we've demonstrated that the private sector can – and should – invest in community media as a public good."
CAN TV's role in advancing equity across Chicago is not incidental – it's essential. In a media landscape dominated by corporate consolidation and algorithmic distortion, we're doing something radical: we're putting the microphone in the hands of the people whose stories matter most. We're investing in Black women's leadership. We're creating platforms for nonprofit leaders driving change. We're training 400 Chicagoans annually in media literacy and digital storytelling. We're proving that media can be a tool for liberation, not just profit.
As I look toward 2026, I see an organization that has earned its place as a crucial institution in Chicago – not just in media, but in the broader work of creating a more equitable, more just, more representative city. The work ahead is significant, but with the Board, staff, partnerships, and community we've built, I'm confident in our ability to meet the moment.
Thank you for your partnership in this vital work.
With gratitude and determination,
Nikki Lang
Board Chair
CAN TV
Dear Members and Supporters,
2025 has been a year of remarkable validation and transformation for CAN TV. As we reflect on this pivotal moment, we're filled with pride – not just in the numbers and accolades, but in what they represent: the power of authentic community voices to move hearts, change minds, and inspire action.
This year brought historic recognition to our organization. For the first time in our 42-year history, CAN TV received Emmy nominations – two of them. Chicago Noir earned a nomination for Outstanding Magazine Program, and The Audit: Black Women in Leadership Post George Floyd was recognized for Outstanding Documentary – Topical. These nominations are more than awards – they are affirmations that the stories we tell, the voices we amplify, and the conversations we foster matter on the largest stages.
But beyond the accolades, 2025 saw us deepen our commitment to what has always been at the heart of CAN TV: centering marginalized voices and creating platforms for healing, empowerment, and change. Our new programming – from Dr. Candice Norcott's groundbreaking work on mental wellness to the fearless conversations between Black women in Sisters Talking, from the sharp cultural commentary of Petty & Profound to the financial empowerment journey in In the Money – reflects our unwavering belief that community television must speak to the whole person and the whole community.
"This year brought historic recognition to our organization. For the first time in our 42-year history, CAN TV received Emmy nominations – two of them."
Our reach continues to expand. YouTube viewership hours grew by 74%, with nearly 2,200 new subscribers joining our community. We trained 400 Chicagoans in media literacy and production skills– ensuring that the next generation will have the tools to tell their own stories. Chi Connects 21 (formerly Nonprofit Services) supported 25 nonprofit organizations with 311 shows totaling 133 hours of programming, amplifying the voices of change-makers across our city.
The foundation we've built is strong, the partnerships we've forged are deep, and the impact we're creating is measurable and meaningful. As we look ahead, we do so with gratitude for every community member who has trusted us with their stories, every partner who has believed in our mission, and every viewer who has made CAN TV part of their daily life.
Together, we're not just broadcasting – we're building the Chicago we all deserve to see and hear.
With deep gratitude and boundless optimism,
Darrious Hilmon
Executive Director