Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
@maiamcdonald.me
chicago freelance journo 📝 | prev: reporting/audience engagement for the @raceandequityproject.org 🔎 | board member for the Chicago Journalists Association | Mizzou J-School Alum 🎓🐯 | funky fashion enthusiast 🛍 | maiamcdonald.me | @maia.pink 🎪 | she/her
Pinned
Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
@maiamcdonald.me
· May 10
Well, I've got some news! Last night,
@raceandequityproject.org won two Lisagor awards for our story looking into the struggles many Black seniors face in receiving home improvement loans. It’s the first story I've worked on to be nominated and win at the Lisagors, and I couldn't be more grateful.
@raceandequityproject.org won two Lisagor awards for our story looking into the struggles many Black seniors face in receiving home improvement loans. It’s the first story I've worked on to be nominated and win at the Lisagors, and I couldn't be more grateful.
Thanks again to everyone who attended The Chicago Journalist Association's 86th annual awards ceremony this past Friday! The CJA board put a lot of work into making the evening special for all of our finalists, winners, and other guests, and we appreciate your attendance!
📸: Vincent D. Johnson
📸: Vincent D. Johnson
November 18, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Thanks again to everyone who attended The Chicago Journalist Association's 86th annual awards ceremony this past Friday! The CJA board put a lot of work into making the evening special for all of our finalists, winners, and other guests, and we appreciate your attendance!
📸: Vincent D. Johnson
📸: Vincent D. Johnson
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
I am so filled with gratitude after tonight. ❤️ I’ll share more pics and reflection after I’m done celebrating this weekend. But for now I just want to say THANK YOU to the Chicago Journalists Association and everyone who’s been part of this journey 😭
November 15, 2025 at 5:12 AM
I am so filled with gratitude after tonight. ❤️ I’ll share more pics and reflection after I’m done celebrating this weekend. But for now I just want to say THANK YOU to the Chicago Journalists Association and everyone who’s been part of this journey 😭
On-site at The Newberry Library for The Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Annual Awards Ceremony! Kicking off really soon! Excited to see so many talented journalists together here tonight!
November 15, 2025 at 12:20 AM
On-site at The Newberry Library for The Chicago Journalists Association's 86th Annual Awards Ceremony! Kicking off really soon! Excited to see so many talented journalists together here tonight!
Reminder to purchase your tickets for the Chicago Journalist Association's annual awards ceremony, tomorrow at the
The Newberry Library from 6:30-9:30 p.m.! We'd love to see you there!
The Newberry Library from 6:30-9:30 p.m.! We'd love to see you there!
November 13, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Reminder to purchase your tickets for the Chicago Journalist Association's annual awards ceremony, tomorrow at the
The Newberry Library from 6:30-9:30 p.m.! We'd love to see you there!
The Newberry Library from 6:30-9:30 p.m.! We'd love to see you there!
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Illinois passed the Illinois Bivens Act, which allows folks to sue ICE officers who violate their rights. “damages can increase based on various factors … including the use of facial coverings, crowd control measures like tear gas, vehicles with a non-Illinois license plate or no license plate…”
Illinois lawmakers pass legislation in response to ICE activity
After weeks of heightened federal immigration enforcement in the greater Chicago area, the Illinois General Assembly approved House Bill 1312 on Oct. 31, strengthening immigration enforcement protecti...
dailynorthwestern.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Illinois passed the Illinois Bivens Act, which allows folks to sue ICE officers who violate their rights. “damages can increase based on various factors … including the use of facial coverings, crowd control measures like tear gas, vehicles with a non-Illinois license plate or no license plate…”
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
it’s not just money or good social media or even great politics—though great politics certainly help.
it is people talking to other people. it is listening. it is pounding the pavement. empowering people to be the campaign.
real organizing.
it is people talking to other people. it is listening. it is pounding the pavement. empowering people to be the campaign.
real organizing.
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 AM
it’s not just money or good social media or even great politics—though great politics certainly help.
it is people talking to other people. it is listening. it is pounding the pavement. empowering people to be the campaign.
real organizing.
it is people talking to other people. it is listening. it is pounding the pavement. empowering people to be the campaign.
real organizing.
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Democrats have flipped 2 seats in the Mississippi senate, and in so doing they've broken the GOP's supermajority in the chamber.
November 5, 2025 at 5:42 AM
Democrats have flipped 2 seats in the Mississippi senate, and in so doing they've broken the GOP's supermajority in the chamber.
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
the speech
'We have toppled a political dynasty': Zohran Mamdani speaks after winning NYC mayoral race
YouTube video by CNN
youtu.be
November 5, 2025 at 5:29 AM
the speech
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
the sort of headline we're seeing all over: www.syracuse.com/politics/cny...
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 AM
the sort of headline we're seeing all over: www.syracuse.com/politics/cny...
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Breaking: Democrats have surged into a commanding win capturing a super-majority in the New Jersey Assembly!
November 5, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Breaking: Democrats have surged into a commanding win capturing a super-majority in the New Jersey Assembly!
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
local elections matter.
never ever forget.
never ever forget.
November 5, 2025 at 5:05 AM
local elections matter.
never ever forget.
never ever forget.
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Here's another bit of conventional wisdom Zohran completely blew away: His speech was at well above a 10th-grade level. It was complex, erudite, punctuated by deep and fluent references. You don't have to condescend to voters with baby talk! Part of re-establishing norms is speaking like an adult.
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Here's another bit of conventional wisdom Zohran completely blew away: His speech was at well above a 10th-grade level. It was complex, erudite, punctuated by deep and fluent references. You don't have to condescend to voters with baby talk! Part of re-establishing norms is speaking like an adult.
I really needed to hear this today tbh 😩
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
November 5, 2025 at 5:34 AM
I really needed to hear this today tbh 😩
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
November 5, 2025 at 5:22 AM
😎😎😎😎 GOOD THINGS CAN STILL HAPPEN 😎😎😎😎
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Major democratic victories tonight
☑️ Spanberger — Gov of Virginia
☑️ Sherrill — Gov of New Jersey
☑️ Hashmi — Lt Gov of Virginia
☑️ Jones — AG of Virginia
☑️ Mamdani — Mayor of NYC
☑️ Pureval — Mayor of Cincinnati
☑️ Johnson — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Hubbard — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Pennsylvania Supreme Court
☑️ Spanberger — Gov of Virginia
☑️ Sherrill — Gov of New Jersey
☑️ Hashmi — Lt Gov of Virginia
☑️ Jones — AG of Virginia
☑️ Mamdani — Mayor of NYC
☑️ Pureval — Mayor of Cincinnati
☑️ Johnson — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Hubbard — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Pennsylvania Supreme Court
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Major democratic victories tonight
☑️ Spanberger — Gov of Virginia
☑️ Sherrill — Gov of New Jersey
☑️ Hashmi — Lt Gov of Virginia
☑️ Jones — AG of Virginia
☑️ Mamdani — Mayor of NYC
☑️ Pureval — Mayor of Cincinnati
☑️ Johnson — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Hubbard — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Pennsylvania Supreme Court
☑️ Spanberger — Gov of Virginia
☑️ Sherrill — Gov of New Jersey
☑️ Hashmi — Lt Gov of Virginia
☑️ Jones — AG of Virginia
☑️ Mamdani — Mayor of NYC
☑️ Pureval — Mayor of Cincinnati
☑️ Johnson — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Hubbard — PSC of Georgia
☑️ Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
My god this is for real one of the most incredible speeches I’ve ever seen by an elected US politician: ‘And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is to dismantle the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This not only how we stop Trump, it’s how we stop the next one.’
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
November 5, 2025 at 4:52 AM
My god this is for real one of the most incredible speeches I’ve ever seen by an elected US politician: ‘And if there is any way to terrify a despot, it is to dismantle the very conditions that allowed him to accumulate power. This not only how we stop Trump, it’s how we stop the next one.’
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
"I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."
Zohran Mamdani delivers a message to President Donald
Trump during his NYC mayoral victory speech
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
Zohran Mamdani delivers a message to President Donald
Trump during his NYC mayoral victory speech
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
November 5, 2025 at 5:11 AM
"I have four words for you: Turn the volume up."
Zohran Mamdani delivers a message to President Donald
Trump during his NYC mayoral victory speech
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
Zohran Mamdani delivers a message to President Donald
Trump during his NYC mayoral victory speech
www.msnbc.com/top-stories/...
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
To put this in further perspective, Democrats haven’t had this many seats in the Virginia House of Delegates since *1987* (i.e., before the great late 20th century southern realignment).
Democrats are on track to win 64 of Virginia's 100 House seats.
That'd be THIRTEEN flips; the chamber is 51/49 right now.
That'd be THIRTEEN flips; the chamber is 51/49 right now.
November 5, 2025 at 5:07 AM
To put this in further perspective, Democrats haven’t had this many seats in the Virginia House of Delegates since *1987* (i.e., before the great late 20th century southern realignment).
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
WOW. 81% of women 18-29 voted for Mamdani, 80% for Sherril, and 78% for Spanberger.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
November 5, 2025 at 4:07 AM
WOW. 81% of women 18-29 voted for Mamdani, 80% for Sherril, and 78% for Spanberger.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
Gen Z women aren't playing around.
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Zohran’s mom directed this. @slate.com talked to her about it back in 2022.
November 5, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Zohran’s mom directed this. @slate.com talked to her about it back in 2022.
It's so crazy the way life works 😂
Still cannot believe the new mayor of NYC’s mama directed Mississippi Masala.
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 AM
It's so crazy the way life works 😂
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Newsom just called on Illinois to redistrict
November 5, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Newsom just called on Illinois to redistrict
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Watching Mamdani's victory speech, I'm struck by his—and his campaign's—unabashed vision of the US as an immigrant society, a culture built from the ground up from diversity. It is a complete rejection and reversal of the search for a white-washed homogeneity that the political right projects.
November 5, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Watching Mamdani's victory speech, I'm struck by his—and his campaign's—unabashed vision of the US as an immigrant society, a culture built from the ground up from diversity. It is a complete rejection and reversal of the search for a white-washed homogeneity that the political right projects.
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
November 5, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Mamdani: "We can respond to oligarchy and authoritarianism with the strength it fears, not the appeasement it craves. After all, if anyone can show a nation betrayed by Donald Trump how to defeat him, it is the city that gave rise to him."
Reposted by Maia McDonald 💫✌🏽
Abortion rights, voting rights, and free speech were on the ballot and Pennsylvania voters knew it.
Retaining a state supreme court that values our constitutional freedoms and rights is a major win for civil liberties in PA.
Retaining a state supreme court that values our constitutional freedoms and rights is a major win for civil liberties in PA.
November 5, 2025 at 3:30 AM
Abortion rights, voting rights, and free speech were on the ballot and Pennsylvania voters knew it.
Retaining a state supreme court that values our constitutional freedoms and rights is a major win for civil liberties in PA.
Retaining a state supreme court that values our constitutional freedoms and rights is a major win for civil liberties in PA.