Columbia alum creates artistic conversation around Chicago segregation

By South Loop TV News Team

Chicago has a long history of racial segregation, and Englewood-born social justice artist and Columbia alum Tonika Johnson is using art to spark conversations about those divides through her Folded Map Project.

The School of Communication and Culture and the School of Film and Television hosted a film screening of Johnson’s project in the Film Row Cinema at 1104 S. Wabash Ave. on Wednesday, March 4.

The event was hosted as part of campus events celebrating the presidential investiture of Shantay Bolton at Columbia.

The project visually connects Chicago residents who live at the same street addresses but in neighborhoods miles apart, highlighting how segregation continues to shape life across the city. 

Johnson said she wanted to make segregation easier to understand by using one of Chicago’s most recognizable features — its grid system.

Students attending the event said the project felt personal and authentic, especially because Johnson is a Chicago native whose work reflects the city’s communities.

Johnson called participants who live at matching addresses “map twins,” bringing them together to share their experiences and perspectives.

Students who missed the conversation will have another chance to meet Johnson during Storytelling Week on March 13 at the Student Center.

Reporter, camera and video editor: Jazmyne Walker

Web Writer: Janaya Banks