N'Digo

The N'DIGO, A Magapaper For The Urbane, the newspaper that reads like a magazine, features groundbreaking, one-of-a kind profiles of outstanding individuals and in-depth coverage of people, places and issues that matter to the upscale Black middle-class audience. Not only does the publication contain commentary on current issues, but also provides entertainment, health, auto, travel, fashion and business articles as well, providing a full view of Blacks living in a contemporary society.

N’Digo is circulated every Thursday and is the largest circulated alternative newspaper in Chicago, and the largest African-American weekly newspaper in the nation. Under the editorial direction of Zondra Hughes-Riyaz and the art direction of Steven M. Johnson, N’Digo offers colorful, crisp and thought-provoking coverage.

Hermene Hartman, who founded the publication in 1989, became famous for her "publisher's page," which offers social commentary about issues important to the African-American community.

Founder Hartman moved into publishing after her tenure as vice-chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago, the nation's second-largest community college system. She was the first woman to serve in this capacity overseeing media and community relations, as well as marketing and publishing. It was while at City Colleges that Hartman recognized the need for a publication such as N'Digo, in which she continuously aims to offer an honest representation of African-American culture.

In 2008, the N'Digo Arts & Entertainment Editor, Lenox Magee did an exclusive in-depth look inside the African American LGBT community in Chicago. It garnered huge attention from supporters and started an interesting debate on their blog. N'Digo is recognized for writing a cover story that opened the eyes of many African Americans and continued a conversation that’s been going on for years. N'Digo plans continue to include the African American LGBT community in their coverage and tell our stories.

N'Digo formally toasted its 20th Anniversary at a black tie gala on June 20th, 2009 at the UIC Forum.