I AM BLACK HISTORY | Brandon Pope

Brandon Pope

Brandon Pope is Black History because he understands that the stories we tell today become the history books of tomorrow.

In a time when misinformation spreads quickly and trust in institutions feels fragile, Brandon has positioned himself at the intersection of journalism, education, and civic empowerment. As a multimedia journalist based in Chicago, he is committed to making complex political and social systems accessible to everyday people. His work proves that information is power and that clarity is a form of service.

Brandon is the host of On The Block: Powered by Block Club Chicago on CW26, where he leads conversations that unpack local policy, community challenges, and the cultural forces shaping the city. He also hosts the MAKING podcast series from WBEZ and NPR, where he explores the lives and legacies of changemakers, preserving stories that might otherwise go untold. Through these platforms, he bridges history and current events, connecting past struggles to present realities.

His journalism is grounded in civic engagement. Brandon focuses heavily on political literacy, voter participation, and helping young people understand how government decisions affect their daily lives. He believes that democracy works best when people are informed and engaged, and his reporting consistently centers the voices of those most impacted by policy.

Beyond the camera and microphone, Brandon is shaping the future of media itself.

As President of the National Association of Black Journalists Chicago Chapter, he has strengthened scholarship initiatives and professional development programs designed to uplift emerging journalists. Under his leadership, the chapter was named NABJ Professional Chapter of the Year in 2022. His advocacy ensures that newsrooms reflect the diversity of the communities they serve and that Black journalists are not sidelined in conversations about truth and accountability.

In the classroom, Brandon serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia College Chicago, where he teaches courses on on camera talent and media literacy. He equips students not only with technical skills but with an ethical foundation rooted in responsibility, representation, and impact. He challenges young communicators to tell stories that matter and to understand the weight of the platforms they hold.

Brandon’s writing has appeared in outlets such as Ebony Magazine, the Chicago Sun-Times, and other major platforms. Whether discussing presidential elections, sports, pop culture, or systemic inequities, he consistently frames issues through the lens of how they affect real people, especially Black communities.

He sees journalism as both documentation and disruption.

By chronicling Black excellence, confronting injustice, and elevating overlooked voices, Brandon Pope is actively shaping how Chicago’s story is told. He is preserving what he calls the “first draft of history,” ensuring that the contributions, challenges, and triumphs of Black Chicago are recorded with accuracy and care.

Black History is not only found in monuments or archives. It lives in the stories being told right now. And Brandon Pope is helping write them.