Landmark Difference Makers Interview Series: Vanessa Stokes- Economic and Community Development That Lasts

LIVE INTERVIEW:

Vanessa Stokes—writer, community builder, and founder of The West Side Review. Through her work, Vanessa is telling the stories of Chicago’s West Side with honesty, depth, and pride—shifting the narrative from what’s often missing in mainstream coverage to what’s actually alive, creative, and possible.

She’s also bringing that vision into the physical world with the upcoming Outwest Café and Art Gallery in Austin, a space designed to celebrate culture, creativity, and connection on the West Side. Whether through writing or building community spaces, Vanessa is creating platforms where people can see themselves, their neighborhoods, and their futures differently.

Join us as we talk with Vanessa about storytelling, ownership of narrative, and what it means to invest in a community in a way that’s both real and lasting.

This interview is open to the public. All are welcome!