FAMU School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) professor and Garth C. Reeves Eminent Scholar Chair Arionne Nettles was featured as a leading voice and subject matter expert during Black History Month. She shared her expertise and historical knowledge of culture, media, and representation across various news platforms and iconic spaces.
She joined WGN-TV’s Spotlight Chicago for a segment marking 100 years of Black History Month, providing commentary on its origins and progress. She was also interviewed about her impact as a journalist, the influence of the Black Press, and the evolution of storytelling about Black history in the age of social media.
She shared that the advancement of leveraging digital platforms to report on history “goes back to (Black History Month creator) Dr. Carter G. Woodson and his idea that history is for the public.”
“It is for all of us. It is not just for the scholars,” she said about sustaining and discussing Black history.
Nettles, a Chicago native, also lent her voice to NPR affiliate WBEZ Chicago and Chicago Public Media, contributing audio reporting on the history of schools named after figures in Black history and on educational access for Black students. She also appeared on Chicago’s historic radio station WVON to discuss identity, cultural representation, and the social impact of the Super Bowl halftime show.
“We all collectively make up America,” said Nettles, an alumna of FAMU’s School of Business, about the importance of celebrating the diverse range of cultural heritage in the U.S.
Her book, “We Are the Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything,” also took center stage this month. She was a featured guest for talks at Chicago’s Zora’s Place (a bookstore and cultural hub named for Black history figure Zora Neale Hurston) and the Glenwood‑Lynwood Library’s “The World Black Chicago Built” series. The library is one of Illinois’ premier institutions for information, education, culture, and recreation. Each event highlighted her research and writings on Chicago’s global cultural impact, as well as her role in elevating narratives of the Black community.
“We celebrate Professor Nettles for her ongoing contributions to documenting and preserving the impact of the Black community,” said SJGC Dean Mira Lowe. “Through her expert commentary and creative works, she brings visibility to the voices and histories that have transformed our nation. She is a shining example to our students of what is possible when journalists use their craft to uplift communities.”
From books and commentary to audio reporting: A gallery of Nettles' recent appearances on television and public radio, as well as iconic cultural hubs and bookstores in Chicago.
