The Big Dig Chicago!

In Part 2 of Building CommuniTAY , we go deeper with Taylor and Maya Mason of Taylor's Tacos Chicago as they move from building a beloved brand to scaling a full-fledged business. With over half a million tacos served and operations based out of The Hatchery Chicago , the conversation shifts to growth: expanding capacity, maintaining quality, and preparing for their highly anticipated food tr...

In this episode of The Big Dig Chicago , we sit down with Taylor and Maya Mason, the couple behind Taylor's Tacos Chicago , a Black- and LGBTQ+-owned brand that has served over half a million tacos across the city. West Side native and Whitney Young High School alum Taylor Mason first discovered street tacos while attending Pepperdine University and brought that LA inspiration back home to Ch...

In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils ) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry. John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic...

In this two-part series, Alabama-born, Chicago-based artist John Caleb Pendleton (founder and creative director of Planks & Pistils ) shares the roots of his artistic journey, from woodworking and floral design to building a business rooted in beauty, balance, and Black artistry. John reflects on the deep connections between the South and Chicago, the meditative joy of craft, and the symbolic...

In this episode, we hit play with Ashlyn Sparrow—game designer, educator, and Assistant Director of the Weston Game Lab at the University of Chicago. A proud transplant to Chicago, Ashlyn shares how a father-daughter hobby sparked a career creating interactive experiences that encourages both game designers and players to engage thoughtfully with the medium. We talk about what makes a game “good,”...

In this episode, we head to Rogers Park to visit Third Coast Comics , a beloved Chicago storefront nestled on Loyola University’s Lakeshore Campus and a three-time nominee for the Will Eisner “Spirit of Comic Book Retailing” award. We browse the aisles with shop owner Terry Gant —collector, cultural commentator, and die-hard comics evangelist—for a lively exploration of the many facets of the indu...

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved people were free. Although President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, it took over two and a half years for the news—and enforcement—to reach some parts of the country, particularly remote Confederate territories like Texas. On June 19, Union Major General Gordon...

In this rich and aromatic episode of The Big Dig Chicago , we sit down with a legendary Chicago coffee roaster Greg Stivers who’s been perfecting his craft for 40 years. From the hiss of the first roast to the soul-soothing scent of a morning brew, our guest shares the journey of building a life around beans, blends, and bold flavor. We dive into the art of intentional roasting, coffee as a connec...

Get ready to be whisked away into a world stitched with creativity, sung with soul, and written with wonder! 🎭🎶📚 In this episode, we sit down with Bryant McLemore Smith— an extraordinary African American set wardrobe designer, singer, and author whose talents weave through every corner of the arts. From dressing dazzling stages with music greats such as  Mary J. Blige  and the cast of off Broad...

Pull up a stool and grab a frosty glass — today we're stepping into a world where hops meet heart and tradition bubbles over with bold new flavor! 🍻✨ In this episode, we journey to Moor's Brewing Co., a vibrant Chicago-based African American-owned brewery that's stirring up the craft beer scene with creativity, culture, and a whole lot of soul. Join us as we chat with Damon Patton...

Guest Name : Shane-Jahi Jackson Look who we found! We’ve unearthed Shane-Jahi Jackson, a self-taught visual artist, painter, luthier and overall Renaissance man. Hidden from view, he exerts his craft to add beauty, art and deep joy to those who have the privilege of seeing his vibrant and moving paintings that depict Black bodies as “containers of stories” and music derived from the bass guitars h...