Chicago Public Media has announced that its Chief Partnerships Officer, Tracy Brown, has been named one of the 2026 honorees of the Chicago Defender Women of Excellence Awards.
Brown is among 50 African-American women recognised for outstanding leadership, innovation and community impact across journalism, business, education and public service.
Now in its 19th year, the Women of Excellence Awards celebrate women whose work continues to shape their industries and uplift communities.
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Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has honoured more than 900 women who exemplify resilience, creativity and service.
At Chicago Public Media, Brown oversees local and national partnership strategies, collaborating with newsrooms, corporate partners and community organisations to strengthen independent journalism.
She previously served as Chief Content Officer, where she led the WBEZ and Chicago Sun-Times newsrooms, alongside podcasts, audience engagement initiatives and Chicago’s music station, Vocalo.
Brown’s journalism career spans leadership roles at major news organisations, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Dallas Morning News, the St. Petersburg Times (now Tampa Bay Times) and The State newspaper in South Carolina.
She also sits on several national and local boards focused on journalism, ethics and civic leadership.
The full list of 2026 Chicago Defender Women of Excellence honorees is available on the Chicago Defender’s website.
The honorees will be formally celebrated on March 20, 2026, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk Hotel.
The recognition underscores Brown’s lasting contributions to journalism and her commitment to advancing community-focused, independent media.
