Long-time Chicago journalist and editor Andrew Davis has been named Digital News Editor of The TRiiBE, an award-winning Black-owned and operated online news company. Davis will start on Nov. 1.
“I am really excited to join The TRiiBE—a media outlet that’s about amplifying the voices of Black Chicagoans and that’s on the move,” Davis said.
The TRiiBE launched in 2017 with a vision to reshape the narrative of Black Chicago through innovative and solutions-driven journalism. Over time, the vision grew, along with continued financial support from community subscribers and foundations such as the Field Foundation of Illinois, Borealis Philanthropy, Chicago Community Trust and more.
Davis will be joining The TRiiBE’s editorial department. He will work closely with editor-in-chief Tiffany Walden, multimedia reporter Tonia Hill, social media producer Tyger Ligon and a network of freelance contributors.
“Since launching The TRiiBE, we’ve adapted to the needs of our audience through the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 uprisings and more, but we’ve only been able to do so at a limited capacity,” editor-in-chief Tiffany Walden said. “With the support of foundations, readers and the community, we’re able to bring on our first full-time Digital News Editor. Andrew’s experience, knowledge of Chicago and passion for mentorship will energize our newsroom. I’m excited to see the new heights we’ll reach together.”
Davis spent 18 years at the Windy City Times, the city’s oldest LGBTQ-focused newspaper founded in 1985 by Jeff McCourt, Bob Bearden, Drew Badanish and Tracy Baim. In 2004, he joined Windy City Times as a news reporter covering breaking news and writing human-interest profile stories.
In 2007, Davis was promoted to managing editor of Windy City Times, leading a team of at least 40 freelance writers while handling the day-to-day operations of the publication. In 2018, he was promoted to executive editor. He oversaw the annual budget, managed all copy, developed content workflows and procedures and defined editorial quality standards and style preferences.
He’s earned several awards, including Outstanding Newspaper Reporter from the Esteem Awards and a journalism award from IBM.
“We’re excited to grow with a leader like Andrew, someone with a deep love for Chicago and who shares a dedication for the journalism work that The TRiiBE plans to produce for years to come, work that critiques power and frames narratives that help shape a more humane world for all,” publisher Morgan Elise Johnson said.
The TRiiBE is owned and operated by Morgan Elise Johnson (publisher), Tiffany Walden (editor-in-chief) and Davis Elutilo (head of operations); all three are alums of Northwestern University. Since its launch, The TRiiBE has earned three 2021 Peter Lisagor Awards, a 2020 CHIRBy Award, a 2019 ADWEEK Rising Brand Stars of Chicago Award and more.