iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Now, let us admire how good our girl looks in the, objectively, best shade of pink. 😊

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At 80, I truly hope I'm as fabulous and committed to my values and morals as Dolly Parton was. Then I'll know I'll have really done something right. May we all live in our truths as the best versions of ourselves and follow her stellar example of being a decent, kind, well-dressed human being. 💖

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I mean, just look at her. A true diva 'til the end.

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Not only was she one history's bestselling music artists, but also committed herself to a life of philanthropy and doing all she could to make this world a better place. A lover of pink after my own heart and truly singular star, she will definitely be missed by this fashion girlie. 💖

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Talk about a real fashion icon. Rest in peace to the legend herself, Ms. Dolly Parton. She was unapologetically herself, never afraid to take up room, utterly fabulous, and someone I find endlessly inspiring.

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Congratulations to everyone who was nominated or won awards on Friday!

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We also won two awards for BEST REPORTING ON RACE AND DIVERSITY: STUDENT and BEST REPORTING ON CRIME AND JUSTICE: STUDENT for our story that looked at racial disparities in traffic stops perfomed by Illinois college campus police, an investigation led by myself and @nicolethenewslady.bsky.social.

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We won an award for BEST REPORTING ON RACE AND DIVERSITY: SMALL PRINT/ONLINE for our story on how Cook County's property tax system strips wealth from Black senior homeowners, an investigation led by Emeline Posner of the @raceandequityproject.org and @cb-312.bsky.social of @injusticewatch.org.

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 05/04/2026

It's been an exciting few days over here in the world of "Maia," after me and my former @raceandequityproject.org colleagues won three awards at the 49th Annual Peter Lisagor Awards from the Chicago Headline Club on Friday, which I'm still buzzing from three days later!

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I'll be sure to post the link once it's online, but for now, you can grab your own physical copy here: www.indiepublishers.shop/the-progress...

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 05/04/2026

Well, this was a nice surprise to end the week off with—getting physical copies of the April/May issue of @theprogressivemag.bsky.social, which has my latest reporting, this time on homeless outreach in Chicago, in the mail! It's not online yet, but I'm so excited for people to read it!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 03/04/2026

Also, if you're still itching for a bit of networking after ONA, consider coming to the Chicago Journalists Association's (partly pictured below) panel next Thursday where four previous Dorothy Storck winners will share their tips on building impactful, award-winning careers in journalism!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 03/04/2026

Couldn't let this week end without posting about #ONA26! I am so grateful to Press Forward Chicago, The Joyce Foundation, The Field Foundation, and The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation for giving me the opportunity to attend for the first time! Despite the few early mornings, I feel so inspired!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 02/04/2026

The Chicago Journalists Association's latest event is NEXT THURSDAY, in exactly a week, and tickets are still available! If you want to learn about creating a successful, impactful journalism career and are down to do a bit of networking, come on out! We'd love to see you there!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 27/03/2026

If you're looking to get involved with CJA, come to our next event on Thursday, April 9 at Northwestern-Medill's Chicago Newsroom where you can learn from local journalists on how to build an impactful, award-winning journalism career. We'd love to see you there!

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 16/01/2026

For anyone who doesn't see the vision! Even the best of the best has done it! 😤

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 05/01/2026

New post up on Substack! Go check it out, and please be nice! 🫣 maiazine.substack.com/p/the-maia-d...

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 08/12/2025

I’m officially in my girl-blogging era! After months of development, I've finally started publishing on my fashion and culture Substack, maiazine! I'm nervous but ultimately very excited! So if you're interested in hearing me gab about fashion and more, please tap in! 🔗 below!

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 03/12/2025

My listening age was 19, which I'm kind of not into. I don't know, I feel like I need to start listening to some throwbacks 😅

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 03/12/2025

No one asked, but in case you're wondering what's on my #SpotifyWrapped ... 🫣

Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 28/11/2025

And dessert is Biscoff cookie butter pie!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 28/11/2025

Also, I did make something! I used to be more of an enjoyer of Thanksgiving as opposed to someone who contributed to the menu, but like the last few years, today, I made creamed corn. Very yummy if you haven't tried it before. My sister's turkey was also amazing.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 18/11/2025

We'll be working on making next year's ceremony just as special, and hope you will stick around to see how it turns out! In the meantime, please continue to follow us and consider joining the Chicago Journalists Association if you're interested in our upcoming events.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 18/11/2025

Thanks again to everyone who attended The Chicago Journalist Association's 86th annual awards ceremony this past Friday! The CJA board put a lot of work into making the evening special for all of our finalists, winners, and other guests, and we appreciate your attendance! 📸: Vincent D. Johnson

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 15/11/2025

On-site at The Newberry Library for The Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Annual Awards Ceremony! Kicking off really soon! Excited to see so many talented journalists together here tonight!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 13/11/2025

Reminder to purchase your tickets for the Chicago Journalist Association's annual awards ceremony, tomorrow at the The Newberry Library from 6:30-9:30 p.m.! We'd love to see you there!

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 14/08/2025

Reminder that I am the cutiest of patooties and I can report a story like no one's business, so you should really ✨️𝓱𝓲𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓸𝓭𝓪𝔂✨️

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 01/06/2025

Well, isn't this exciting! The latest investigation from @raceandequityproject.org is in today's edition of the @chicago.suntimes.com! Gotta say, seeing my name and reporting printed in the paper has me pretty stoked 😁

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 19/05/2025

I mean, the energy here was just electric...

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 19/05/2025

And yes, of course, I had to wear a pink cowboy hat! I'm nothing if not consistent! 🤠

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 19/05/2025

It was so cold last night but my sister and I had such a great time at the Chicago Night 3 of Beyoncé's #CowboyCarterWorldTour. It was 50 degrees, and that wind was whipping, but best believe I was dancing and singing my tail off.

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Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽 @maiamcdonald.me · 10/05/2025

Another highlight of last night was reuniting with Teresa White, who, if you were part of Free Spirit Media's FSM News back in the day, you knew as Ms. Teresa. She led the after-school and summer programs at the Gary Comer Youth Center, which got me interested in news back when I was a young teen.