CHICAGO — Noisy Creek has announced that Malik Jackson will be the new publisher of the Chicago Reader starting June 1. Jackson most recently served as executive director and publisher of South Side Media Works, which operates community newspapers South Side Weekly and the Hyde Park Herald.
Founded in 1971 in a tight Kenwood apartment, the Reader has grown into a nationally recognized alternative publication with deep roots in community-centered journalism, investigative reporting and extensive local arts coverage. As one of the nation’s first alternative weeklies, the Reader pioneered the practice of free circulation.
“The Reader has a rich and storied history that stands on its own, and I’m thrilled to help usher in a new beginning for the publication,” said Jackson. “As the media landscape shifts and audience needs evolve, I’m passionate about building the products and civic conditions that make hyperlocal publications indispensable in people’s daily lives.”
Jackson joins the team at a momentous time for the 54-year-old publication, which was acquired by Noisy Creek last year. The media company is dedicated to growing alternative weeklies through an innovative revenue model. Its portfolio includes The Stranger in Seattle and the Portland Mercury, as well as event-discovery platform EverOut.
As a third-generation Chicagoan, Jackson has long championed local journalism as a critical tool to build civic engagement and accountability across the city’s diverse neighborhoods. “I studied urban planning to better understand what makes a city and region thrive, and have spent most of my career honing in on the role that journalism, media and cultural production play in that equation.”
Jackson’s creative approach to fostering collaborative and sustainable local partnerships aligns closely with the Reader’s distinctive voice and mission. “The Reader has historically been committed to challenging conventions and covering the daily lives of Chicagoans,” said Jackson. “I’m excited to work with Editor in Chief Sarah Conway and the entire team to strengthen the publication as a vital and trusted public square for cultural engagement and community connection.”
“The moment I met Malik, I could see his vision, tenacity and love for the Reader and for the publication's future as an indispensable part of being a Chicagoan,” said Brady Walkinshaw, Noisy Creek's founder and CEO. “Malik's deep community roots and his track record fill me with optimism for the publication's future.”
About the Chicago Reader:
The Chicago Reader is a community-supported, fearless, innovative and nationally respected media voice covering Chicago arts and culture for more than 50 years. In print every month and daily online, the Reader is made up of tastemakers, incisive critics and agenda-setters. The community looks to them for what’s new, what’s now, what’s next — and depends on them to hold local government and other public authorities accountable.
About Noisy Creek:
Noisy Creek is a new media company dedicated to revitalizing beloved alternative media brands across the country. Founded and led by Brady Walkinshaw, Noisy Creek’s network currently includes Seattle’s The Stranger, the Portland Mercury, the Chicago Reader, EverOut.com, Bold Type Tickets, Noisy Creek Podcasts and Noisy Creek Productions.
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