Chicago News Weekly (Behind the Cover)

In this episode, Laura Miller sits down with WDB Marketing founder and Legacy Awards creator Keeana Barber for a masterclass in entrepreneurship grounded in community and faith. From launching a self-funded gala that grew into a three-day celebration at Soldier Field, to transforming a tiny $300 office into multiple locations, Keeana breaks down how she scaled step by step without losing her soul. She shares the deeply personal story of honoring her late brother through her business, why hustle and humility mattered more than capital, and how WDB Cares is training the next generation of young Black entrepreneurs. You’ll also hear Keeana’s hard-won advice on partnerships, knowing when to grow, and why grace, travel, and believing bigger than your current square footage are essential to building a true legacy in Chicago and beyond.

Laura Miller sits down with Juliana Stratton as she makes her move toward the United States Senate.This is not a routine campaign stop. It is a bid for one of the most powerful seats in the country. Stratton talks about why now, what is at stake for Illinois and how she plans to carry her record from Springfield onto a national platform.From reproductive rights and economic equity to the balance of power in Washington, this conversation centers on ambition, influence and the responsibility that comes with a statewide mandate.Road to the Senate begins here.

In this episode of BNW's Behind the Cover, host Laura Miller sits down with Melissa Conyears Ervin—Chicago City Treasurer and candidate for Illinois' 7th Congressional District—for a candid conversation about her journey from Englewood and the West Side to managing $10 billion in city funds. Melissa opens up about growing up with a single mother, being the first in her family to attend college, and what drives her fierce advocacy for working families, the disabled, and those relying on federal assistance programs like SNAP and Medicaid. She also makes headlines with her bold decision to pull city investments from U.S. treasuries under the current administration—and explains exactly why. With the March 17th primary on the horizon, Melissa makes her case for why the 7th District is ready for a congressperson who truly lives the experiences of the people she serves.

Laura Miller sits down with Richard Boykin as he enters the race for Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, a seat open for the first time in decades. Boykin makes a bold claim. He says he is the only candidate who has actually done the job, having served as chief of staff to Congressman Danny K. Davis. He challenges the field, speaks candidly about public safety in Chicago’s most impacted neighborhoods and outlines why he believes this moment calls for experience, not ambition. This episode is part of CNW’s Behind the Cover: Road to Congress series, where candidates make their case directly to voters.

In this intimate conversation ahead of his video viewing event last Saturday, Grammy-nominated artist and activist Vic Mensa reflects on transformation, legacy, and independence. From embracing sobriety and Islam to navigating fatherhood and walking away from the traditional music industry, Vic discusses the spiritual practices that ground him—gratitude, dhikr, and clarity. He shares the story behind naming his son Mansa Musa Mensa, discovering his ancestral connection to the Sahel, and releasing his latest EP Sundiata independently. This is Vic at his most grounded—speaking not to chase headlines, but to build something lasting. Profound, purposeful, and unapologetically rooted.Please note: The audio for this episode has been cleaned but remains a bit raw, preserving the authentic, unfiltered nature of the conversation.