Executive Board

Kyra Kyles, President

kyrak_10_head_shot_profile

Kyra Kyles is a print, online and broadcast correspondent and columnist who most recently worked for the edgy sib of the Chicago Tribune, the RedEye edition. A native Chicagoan and South Sider, Kyra previously served as an NABJ-Chicago board member for one term before being elected President. Kyra recently launched the organization’s first-ever mentorship program for students and beginning journalists and was instrumental in fund-raising efforts for the organization, including the Mo’ Chocolate Jam.

A former TV reporter, Kyra has worked as a weekly WGN-TV pop culture correspondent, a daily contributor to CLTV, and has appeared on other broadcast outlets including WBEZ-FM, WVON-AM, WFLD-TV, the BBC and WGN-AM.

Also a filmmaker, Kyra’s latest project that she co-produced and co-wrote is the Web series,  “Human Resources,” a workplace comedy with a sci-fi twist.

Brenda Butler, Vice President (Print)

brenda-butler-copy

Brenda Butler is a media specialist with experience in print and broadcast journalism. She has held numerous editing positions for the Chicago Tribune, including assistant arts editor, Style editor, Home editor and associate managing editor for features. Before joining the Tribune, she was production assistant at Jet Magazine. Butler also produced and moderated the 13-week cable TV series exploring topical events, “Playback: Views from an African-American Perspective” with regular panelists Salim Muwakkil, Nalani McClendon and Stan West.

Butler, a three-term president of NABJ-Chicago, two-term vice president and board member at large, has been a member of the Chicago chapters of NABJ for more than 20 years. She was also co-chair of programming for the 1997 NABJ convention in Chicago. An avid reader, she enjoys traveling, writing and bicycling.

Valerie West, Treasurer

picture-20Talk about dedication. Val West may well be the longest serving board member for NABJ-Chicago, holding the title of Treasurer since 1987. West served as News Business Manager at WFLD-TV for the local station for 16 years. Prior to that, she spent 10 years as News Services Manager for WBBM-TV. When she’s not managing the budget or helping helm an NABJ-Chicago initiative, West’s hobbies are shopping, travel and home decorating

Phil Thompson, Executive Secretary

picture-19Phillip L. Thompson is currently journalist for the Chicago Tribune. He is a former Sports Editor for The Red Eye and currently heads The Mash,

Gail Walker, Parlimentarian

gail-walkersm

Gail Walker is in her third term as Parliamentarian of NABJ-Chicago Chapter. She is also a member of the NABJ Operating Procedure and Constitution Committee.

Since 1992, Gail has served as president of EnviroCom Incorporated, a Chicago-based communications firm specializing in environmental issues. She hold a B.S. in communication from Ohio University and a masters with a focus area of environmental policy and communication from DePaul University.

Gloria Brown, Board Member

G-BrownsmGloria Brown is a trailblazer who broke the color barrier at WGN-TV in 1964 when she was hired as the station’s first black professional employee. She worked her way up in television from a typist through many other positions, to her current positions as Business Manager for WGN-TV News and Emmy Award-winning producer of People to People. The show Gloria produces, People to People, is hosted by Allison Payne.  Her work on that show has been awarded by the Associated Press, the National Association of Black Journalist (NABJ), and with the Illinois Broadcaster’s prestigious Silver Dome Award.

For her longevity and success, Gloria was inducted into the Silver Circle of the Naational Association of Television Arts and Sciences in May of 2006. Gloria serves on the boards of Habilitative Systems, Inc. and the NABJ-Chicago Chapter.

Art Norman, Vice-President (Broadcast)
artn-sm Art Norman recently retired after a long, impressive career co-anchoring the weekday editions of NBC 5 News at 5:00, 5:30, 6:00, and 11:00 AM. Norman came to NBC 5 Chicago as a general assignment reporter in July 1982. In February 1990, Norman’s initiative led to a NBC 5 News exclusive investigation of the Cook County Sheriff Department, probing allegations of civil rights violations during a questionable drug raid on a suburban tavern.

During his career, Norman has received many honors for journalistic excellence. Most recently he received an Emmy Award for his contribution to NBC 5’s spot news coverage of the Fox River Grove Bus Crash. His series “Cops and Robbers,” which uncovered secret files on police officers with criminal records, was honored with two prestigious awards: a national Investigative Reporters and Editors Award and a 1992-93 Associated Press Award for “Best Investigative Reporting.” He also received a 1989 Chicago Emmy Award for his contributions to NBC 5’s coverage of the Laurie Dann spot news story. He was an integral part of the NBC 5 News coverage of the Beirut hostage crisis, providing comprehensive reports on the fate of Geneva and St. Charles, Illinois, residents held captive by terrorists. His efforts were honored with a 1986 Emmy Award.

His other honors include: a l987 Wilbur Award given by the Religious Public Relations Council for “Giving God The Glory,” a documentary tracing Chicago’s gospel history; and a 1984 International Radio and Television News Directors Award for his live coverage of the shooting of a divorce court judge and an attorney in a Daley Center Courtroom. His documentary on the plight of poor children won a 1978 School Bell Award from the National Association of Educators. In l976, Norman worked as writer and photographer on the George Foster Peabody Award winning edition of NBC’s “Weekend Magazine.” He won North Carolina’s RTNDA Award for his coverage of a fatal air balloon crash in l975.

Norman’s involvement with the community is extensive. In addition to hosting numerous community events each year, Norman is a spokesman for the United Negro College Fund and serves as an on-air host of their telethon.

Norman came to NBC 5 from WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD, where he had worked as a reporter and weekend anchor since 1979. Prior to his tenure with WMAR-TV, Norman worked as a Reporter at WPCQ-TV and WSOC-TV, both in Charlotte, NC. He began his broadcasting career in 1969, as a television engineer at WCCB-TV, also in Charlotte.

Norman holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Math and Physics from the Johnson C. Smith University. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and he holds a first class F.C.C. license. Norman is married and lives in Evanston, Illinois.

Maudlyne Ihejirika, Board Member

12/4 FROST MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKAA veteran news journalist with more than 18 years experience in media, public relations and government, Maudlyne Ihejirika is an education reporter and assistant city editor with the Chicago Sun-Times.

A native of Imo-State, Nigeria, Ms. Ihejirika began her career at the Sun-Times in 1986, where over 11 years she covered a wide range of issues from crime to politics and urban affairs. As the Sun-Times’ Weekend City Editor in 1997, she was hired by then Governor Jim Edgar as press secretary for the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

In 1999, she left state government to found the Ihejirika Media & Communications Group, a media consulting firm to politicians and nonprofits, but returned in 2003 to her journalism roots at the Sun-Times, where her work has earned numerous awards and citations.

Tony Shute, Board Member

Anthony Shute

Tony Shute is in his third term as a Board Member of NABJ-Chicago Chapter. He is Executive Producer of ABC7 News at 11AM and 5PM. He has been at ABC7 for 21 years. Before joining Channel 7, he worked at WGN-TV and WGN-AM. Tony is a graduate of Northwestern University.

Mentoring and career guidance are things Tony enjoys the most about the business.

Lynn Norment, Board Member

lynn_norment_2008-vcNorment recently retired from EBONY magazine, where she was a writer and editor for decades. A native of Bolivar, Tenn., who helped de-segregate her local high school, Norment went on to receive a full scholarship at Memphis State University, where she was graduated magna cum laude. Her writing talent and leadership traits were quickly evident to EBONY, which hired her after just two freelance assignments while she wrote investigative pieces for the Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis. One of those articles brought to national attention that legendary entertainer Al Green had been “born again” and founded a church in Memphis.

She has held numerous leadership positions with NABJ, including chair for the very successful 1997 NABJ Convention in Chicago, which was attended by President Bill Clinton; chair for NABJ’s 25th Anniversary celebration; and vice-chair of the NABJ A&E Task Force, which presented Norment with its Legacy Award in 2000. For many years, she simultaneously served on the NABJ board and as president of the Chicago chapter of NABJ. For many years, Norment also has served on the board of Habilitative Systems Inc., a social service agency that provides services to indigent and disabled residents in Chicago’s poorest communities.The National Association of Black Journalists is honoring Norment by inducting her into the NABJ Hall of Fame during its 2009 conference in Tampa.

Richard Steele, Board Member

Untitled-1

As one of the hosts of Chicago Public Radio’s public affairs programming, Richard has spirited dialogue with interesting guests that range from innovators to imitators.

Richard joined the staff of Chicago Public Radio in 1987. He has hosted a number of former programs on Chicago Public Radio, including The Richard Steele Show, A Richard Steele Friday, Page Two and Performance Space.

Prior to joining Chicago Public Radio, Richard hosted many successful Chicago radio programs, including The Morning Connection on WVAZ 102.7 FM and Late Night a talk and music forum on WGCI 1390 AM. He has hosted popular shows on WBMX 102.7 and WVON 1450 AM, and became “The Real Steele” on WGRT (95 AM) AM, where he progressed to program director shortly after the station’s transition to WJPC 95 AM.

Richard is vice president and board member of the local American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and a board member of the Chicago Association of Black Journalists.

Richard attended Harold Washington College in Chicago.

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Richard resides in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Jera. They have two children and three grandchildren.

As one of the hosts of Chicago Public Radio’s public affairs programming, Richard has spirited dialogue with interesting guests that range from innovators to imitators.
Richard joined the staff of Chicago Public Radio in 1987. He has hosted a number of former programs on Chicago Public Radio, including The Richard Steele Show, A Richard Steele Friday, Page Two and Performance Space.
Prior to joining Chicago Public Radio, Richard hosted many successful Chicago radio programs, including The Morning Connection on WVAZ 102.7 FM and Late Night a talk and music forum on WGCI 1390 AM. He has hosted popular shows on WBMX 102.7 and WVON 1450 AM, and became “The Real Steele” on WGRT (95 AM) AM, where he progressed to program director shortly after the station’s transition to WJPC 95 AM.
Richard is vice president and board member of the local American Federation of Television and Radio Artists and a board member of the Chicago Association of Black Journalists.
Richard attended Harold Washington College in Chicago.
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Richard resides in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago with his wife, Jera. They have two children and three grandchildren.