iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 09/03/2026

Two years after Prince changed his name to an unpronounceable symbol in 1993, he provided some insight on the decision in an interview with Q magazine: “It was a great spiritual revelation, and the last time it happened was on ‘Lovesexy,’ and the time before that was ‘Purple Rain.’” 1/7

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

If you’ve attended a #Prince show, you’ve witnessed incredible musicianship, dynamic dance moves and boundless charisma. You’ve also heard some spiritual messages or seen some spiritual symbolism; whether you noticed it is another question. 1/5

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

In 2011, I submitted an academic paper, “An Analysis of Rolling Stone’s Coverage of Prince, 1978-2004,” to the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. 1/4

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 13/11/2025

Tracking #Prince’s spiritual path means following the music. And with nearly 40 studio albums, he had a lot to say. After years of studying his discography & comments in interviews, as well as talking to people who knew him, I’ve organized his journey into six phases. 1/4

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

I’m currently revising my book on #Prince’s spiritual journey before I finish writing the last few chapters. Part of the process is trimming this massive draft down just a little bit. 1/4

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 15/10/2025

When D’Angelo dropped music, the world stopped. I’m not even talking about the fervor around “Black Messiah,” which is my favorite among his albums. Even an appearance on a song in a video game could set the internet on fire. (1/10)

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

Shout out to Lois Lane for using a digital recorder for her interview with Superman like the rest of us old reporters. I still haven't shifted to using my phone. 😂

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

Honored to have won three NABJ Salute to Excellence awards: best business reporting, best specialty story & best national news - single story. I’m proud to share the latter with Frank Main and @elviamalagon.bsky.social. Grateful to the folks who let us tell their stories at @chicago.suntimes.com.

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

Who else has been boppin' to Ravyn Lenae's top ten hit, "Love Me Not"? The Chicago singer stopped by her alma mater, the Chicago High School for the Arts, for a Q&A today. The students were so excited! She plays Lollapalooza on Friday. 📷 Anthony Vazquez chicago.suntimes.com/music/2025/0...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

Chicago designer Ethan Mundt, also known as Utica, is the first "RuPaul's Drag Race" alum to compete on "Project Runway." Here's my chat with the artist for @chicago.suntimes.com. You can catch the season 21 premiere of "Project Runway" Thursday on Freeform. chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

I loved attending this live art collaboration between Samoan master artists and community members at the Field Museum. The completed "siapo mamanu" piece will be featured in a future exhibition. Learn more in my story for @chicago.suntimes.com. 📷 Pat Nabong chicago.suntimes.com/entertainmen...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

Who else learned about Connie Francis from this scene in "The Craft"? ✋🏾 Rest in peace. variety.com/2025/music/n...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 11/07/2025

Great photos by Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere. And data contribution from Alden Loury.

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

For #pride month, several Chicago drag designers gave us a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. It was so fun to meet these artists, including "RuPaul's Drag Race" winner Willow Pill. 📷 Ashlee Rezin & Pat Nabong Our story for @chicago.suntimes.com: chicago.suntimes.com/fashion/2025...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 15/06/2025

Today, I helped cover the “No Kings” protest in Chicago. It was a long but peaceful day that started at the Daley Plaza and ended at the ICE field office. Here’s our live blog for @chicago.suntimes.com. 📷: Me

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Frank Main, Elvia Malagón and I were honored with two Peter Lisagor Awards for our Sun-Times story on the toll of opioid overdoses on a generation of Black men in America: Best Political and Government Reporting and Best Data Journalism. And congrats to our Baltimore Banner and NYT collaborators! 🎉

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 04/05/2025

So…Chicago has a festival dedicated to pickles … 🥒 I had fun covering #ChicagoPickleFest for @chicago.suntimes.com. 🎥 Me

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

This part of Gayle King’s comments about her space flight is not getting enough attention. Um…what? www.usatoday.com/story/entert...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

It was an honor to write an obituary for beloved architect Curt Moody for the spring issue of Ohio State Alumni Magazine. Humility and determination were a way of life for Moody, who left an indelible mark on campus and beyond. alumnimagazine.osu.edu/story/curt-m...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

The original cast of “The Breakfast Club” arrives at C2E2…

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 26/03/2025

I wrote today's front-page story on the National Public Housing Museum. It opens April 4 inside the remaining building of the former Jane Addams Homes on the Near West Side. The institution features impressive exhibitions, installations and recreated apartments. 📷 Timothy Hiatt

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

I had fun writing the cover story for today’s “Taste” section at @chicago.suntimes.com. Nicole Schnitzler’s fantastic new book, “Chicago Cocktails,” features 100 recipes inspired by the Windy City. 📷 Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere chicago.suntimes.com/the-sip/2025...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

I had a great time covering Polar Adventure Day at Big Marsh Park yesterday. Huskies are so beautiful. 😍 🎥 Erica Thompson & Ashlee Rezin

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Raoul said he will monitor the potential discriminatory impact of DEI policy revisions. He, along with 15 other states’ attorneys general, issued a guidance on Feb. 13 to help companies retain DEI initiatives while remaining legally compliant. tinyurl.com/3stprm48 7/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Northwest University professor Ivuoma Onyeador said companies may be avoiding the appearance of violating laws by removing the word “diversity” from their initiatives. 6/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

In the past month, companies such as Walgreens, Conagra and Archer Daniels Midland made changes to their DEI terminology, or cut back reporting on their websites and in annual reports. 5/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Despite accusations that marginalized communities are getting an unfair advantage, studies have shown hiring gaps persist. 4/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

“If you were committed to diversity, equity and inclusion in 2020, what has changed now? ... The anti-DEI rhetoric has gotten so bad. And it’s frankly racist when people refer to people as DEI candidates.” - Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul 3/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

After McDonald's rolled back its DEI initiatives last month, I reviewed the policies of 15 other major Illinois-based companies. Many still referenced DEI online and in annual reports, but some have changed their policies within the last month. 1/8

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Who would’ve thought a spider exhibit could be so cute? Yesterday, I went to the opening of “The Art and Science of Arachnids” at the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. Here’s my article for @chicago.suntimes.com. chicago.suntimes.com/2025/02/01/k...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Welcome to the “Year of the Snake.” 🐍 I visited Chinatown yesterday to celebrate the Chinese New Year season. Here’s my article for @chicago.suntimes.com. chicago.suntimes.com/chinatown/20...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Some cool news: I wrote the cover story for the January issue of Columbus Monthly. I asked five Columbus-based experts to share their secrets to living a fulfilled, connected and peaceful life. tinyurl.com/yztbrw3b 📷 Tim Johnson

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

Mario Lopez's movie, "Once Upon a Christmas Wish,” is just one of several recent holiday films shot in Long Grove. In my latest for the Sun-Times, I wrote about the trend of holiday filmmakers flocking to Chicago’s suburbs. chicago.suntimes.com/movies-and-t...

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

I have officially been at the Chicago Sun-Times for one year! This has been a life-changing career move for me, and I am so thankful. I'd like to share a thread of some of my favorite stories. Note: All of these articles are free, you just have to share your email address.

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

“Aging with this disease is no cakewalk. That’s a discussion that we don’t have because we want people to be hopeful. And then the stigma and isolation causes depression, especially for seniors with HIV. And when depression sets in, you don’t follow your medicine regimen." #WorldAIDSDay

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

The December 1994 cover of Essence was a wake-up call for Black women who were not centered in HIV/AIDS health campaigns or media coverage. And it was a launching pad for Rae Lewis-Thornton, whose activism has no doubt saved lives. #WorldAIDSDay

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 30/11/2024

I had the BEST time at the Wine & Vinyl Room event at the Black-owned Bronzeville Winery last night. I met some great people, had some delicious wine and scored some of Prince’s elusive Madhouse singles from Miyagi Records.

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Video footage of how the Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest went down in Chicago…

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Erica Thompson @ericathompson.bsky.social · 16/11/2024

Here at the Jeremy Allen White lookalike contest in Chicago.

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