December 12 2024

An Intro to Mo Mami

Mo Mami, also known as Ashley De La Torre, says her career has put her in many spaces she could have never imagined. When she’s not behind the decks, she is often in the spotlight for events that uplift BIPOC and LGBTQ+ voices in the industry and supports activism efforts with Palestine, Congo, and more. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Festival-goers at Maragrita Fest

Festival-goers dance among friends and strangers as Mo Mami creates an atmosphere that slowly brings everyone together. She aims to create sets that transport her listeners worldwide through music. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Mo Mami's connection to Chicago and its creatives

All of her experiences have presented new learning opportunities for Mo Mami to connect further with creatives all over Chicago. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Mo Mami with Babes Only

On Monday, May 20, with Babes Only, Mo Mami participated in a mental health panel featuring women in various industries in Chicago and had a fruitful conversation about mental health and staying encouraged through tough seasons of life. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Mo Mami and Greater Chicago

Mo Mami’s efforts as a creative do not stop at her sets; she also works to bring other creatives’ stories to the greater Chicago public. On Friday, May 31, she organized a panel opening the conversation on how to make rave spaces safer for newcomers to the scene. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Mo Mami on safe rave spaces

Providing a safe rave experience is one of the many important aspects of Mo Mami’s career. This effectively leads to the conception of her brainchild, Fever Dream Worldwide.

December 12 2024

About Fever Dream Worldwide

Fever Dream Worldwide brings together the greater South Side, highlighting Mo Mami’s aim to take partygoers around the world through music. The global rave experience brings individuals together and is welcoming to all Chicagoans regardless of their identity. Mo Mami’s next Fever Dream Worldwide experience will be on August 10. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

DJ Mo Mami at Margarita Fest

DJ Mo Mami spins at Margarita Fest on Sunday, May 19, 2024. She has been DJing since 2019 after being introduced to the craft through the Babes Only organization. (Published in South Side Weekly 07/12/2024)

December 12 2024

Mo Mami, the South Side Native

Most of Mo Mami’s parties take place in the Pilsen area and are free. As a South Sider, she is passionate about giving back the stage performances she has done at larger-scale festivals to her community.

December 12 2024

Storefront of Call and Response Bookstore

Call and Response Bookstore is a Black woman-owned bookstore located in Hyde Park. The new bookstore has been open for a month, and its grand opening celebration took place on May 4, 2024. (Published in Medill Reports on 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Call and Response caters to children too!

The bookstore also caters to children. There are not only a plethora of children’s books to choose from, but also coloring pages available to keep busy them. The drawings are featured throughout the store, but many children want to take their coloring pages home at the end of their visit. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Courtney Bledsoe prepping to open Call and Response

Courtney Bledsoe chats on the phone as she prepares to open the bookstore for its 11 a.m. opening on May 15. The layout of Call and Response aims to not only encourage avid book lovers to browse the collection but also be a space for people to unwind and crack open their new books. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Call and Response's Toni Morrison mural

Call and Response has two notable murals. The one pictured is a Toni Morrison mural above all of the recently released titles that have arrived at the bookstore.

December 12 2024

Courtney restocks shelves in store

Bledsoe restocks her shelves before the 11 a.m. opening of Call and Response. Bledsoe may not read all of the titles on her shelves, but she takes her time handpicking the choices that best suit the mission of her bookstore. This process includes researching new titles and remaining in contact with her sales representative to obtain a catalog for upcoming book releases. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Meet Courtney!

Courtney Bledsoe, the owner of Call and Response Bookstore, poses for a portrait. Bledsoe’s aim for Call and Response is to find stories that center narratives around people of color. The space functions as a hub for African American, Asian, Hispanic, and other fiction and nonfiction from a wide range of authors. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Call and Response offers many genres

Call and Response features genres ranging from fiction, nonfiction, science fiction, thriller, mystery, and more.

December 12 2024

Patrons of Call and Response Bookstore

Patrons view the bookshelves at the Call and Response Bookstore on June 1, 2024. Community members and non-community members stopped by the store to see its selections and to support Bledsoe’s business. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Book selections offered by Call and Response

Bledsoe’s selections from a variety of authors line the many tables in the space. Some titles in the bookstore feature description cards or are grouped by bestsellers.

December 12 2024

More patrons of Call and Response Bookstore

Customers view one of the many titles offered at the Call and Response Bookstore on June 1, 2024. Rain or shine, patrons find their way to Bledsoe’s store to purchase books and ask for recommendations. (Published in Medill Reports 07/01/2024)

December 12 2024

Erin Polk hard at work at Erin's Cup

Erin Polk, 18, opened Erin’s Cup while still a student at De La Salle High School. (Published in Block Club Chicago 06/20/2024)

December 12 2024

Erin Polk helping customer at Erin's Cup

Erin Polk works the counter at her namesake coffee shop, Erin's Cup, in Morgan Park. (Published in Block Club Chicago 06/20/2024)