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The Columbia Chronicle
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The Columbia Chronicle
Abra Richardson

Abra Richardson, Former Senior Photojournalist

arichardson@columbiachronicle.com

 

Abra Richardson is a senior photojournalism major and has covered Chicago music festivals, fashion and metro protests. She joined the Chronicle in August 2021.

 

Hometown: Palatine, Illinois

All content by Abra Richardson
Students and part-time faculty join the picket line on Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in support of Columbia Faculty Union fighting for fair labor practices outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave.

[Photo] College marks one-year anniversary of historic part-time faculty union strike

By Allison Shelton and Vivian Richey
October 30, 2024
Students from Columbia, Roosevelt and the School of the Art Institute join a pro-Palestine demonstration directly in front of the Art Institute, shutting down Michigan Ave. on Friday, April 26 2024.

[Photo] Students march, block traffic in downtown Chicago to call attention to war in Gaza

By Maya Swan-Sullivan, Reporter
April 26, 2024
Current Copy Chief at the Columbia Chronicle, Patience Hurston poses for a photo at The Student Center on Thursday, April 18. Hurston will be the new editor-in-chief at The Chronicle this coming fall semester.

[Photo] Columbia Chronicle names Patience Hurston as editor-in-chief for the 2024-25 school year

By Samaher AbuRabah, Copy Editor
April 22, 2024
Navigating the harsh realities of dating through 'ValiDate'

Navigating the harsh realities of dating through ‘ValiDate’

By Abra Richardson, Senior Photojournalist
April 17, 2024
Madhurima Chakraborty takes notes in the Faculty Senate meeting, on Friday, April 12, 2024. The senate met to discuss their response to the president's advisory report.

[Photo] College will hire turnaround consulting firm AlixPartners to advise on restructuring 

By Olivia Cohen , Editor-in-Chief
April 13, 2024
Jenna Davis, candidate to be the next Student Government Association president, sits in a meeting with President and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim on Feb. 13, 2024.

[Photo] SGA holds election for new president, three other officer positions

By Allison Shelton, Reporter
April 2, 2024
Columbia alum and singer-songwriter Nick Muilaert poses for a portrait at Exile Bookstore located at 410 S. Michigan Ave. Muilaert released of his latest single “I Feel High” on Monday, March 18, 2024.

[Photo] Columbia alum Nick Muilaert releases new single ‘I Feel High’

By Avery Heeringa, Reporter
March 22, 2024
Assistant professor of instruction in the Music Department Cassandra O'Neal leads the gospel choir, composed of several vocalists, during their midterm performance on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. The students chose most of the music and shared the time with the Hip Hop ensemble in the Concert Hall of 1014 S. Michigan Ave.

[Photo] Gospel Band ‘forms a family’ for music students

By Sydney Richardson, Reporter
March 18, 2024
Columbia’s part time faculty union hosted an event on Friday for union members, faculty and students. The event, called CFAC Townhall 2 was advertised as a town hall to debrief about the historic strike, talk about unionism in the arts, and discuss strategy for organizing. the event was hosted by Columbia Faculty Union President Diana Vallera. And feature a panel of speakers. But when some part-time instructors who resigned during the historic strike last fall showed up they were turned away and threatened with legal action.

[Photo] Part-time union bars former members from event advertised as ‘town hall’ open to students, faculty

March 1, 2024
Students work on various projects in the Fashion Lab located at 623 S. Wabash Ave. on Feb 22, 2024. Many students within the fashion department are worried about hours in the Fashion Lab getting reduced due to the deficit.

[Photo] Faculty, students in smaller majors fear cuts under restructuring

By Citlalli Magali Sotelo and Miranda Bucio
February 27, 2024
April, Ava, and Ana tune their instruments and check the mic sound for their band rehearsal on Saturday, February 3rd, 2024. The band talks amongst each other about their upcoming show at Metro, located at 3730 N. Clark St., on Feb. 23, 2024.

Pinksqueeze celebrates queer, femme fun through music

By Kaelah Serrano and Abra Richardson
February 20, 2024
Columbia President Kwang-Wu Kim addresses the Student Government Association in their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at the Student Center. Kim’s announcement to step-down was made the day after he met with SGA.

[Photo] Breaking: President Kim to step down on July 1 

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
February 14, 2024
Columbia President Kwang-Wu Kim addresses the Student Government Association in their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at the Student Center. Kim’s presence was not announced on social media when SGA posted about the meeting.

[Photo] Kim pledges to meet more regularly with students as financial crisis deepens

By Allison Shelton, Reporter
February 13, 2024
Columbia students having conversations in the student center on February 9, 2024. Students talk about their class projects and upcoming holiday plans at 754 S. Wabash Ave.

College to increase tuition 5% next school year

By Allison Shelton and Abra Richardson
February 9, 2024
A student studies before classes begin at 9:00 on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024 at 618 S.Michigan Ave.

[Photo] Students worry about how hiring freeze, financial crisis will impact them

By Leah Love, Deputy Editor
February 8, 2024
The Museum of Contemporary Photography's second level shows more artwork from the traveling exhibition "Native America: In Translation," on Jan. 26, 2024, located at 600 S. Michigan Ave.

[Photo] Museum of Contemporary Photography opens its first Native American exhibition

By Maya Swan-Sullivan, Reporter
January 28, 2024
Students Morgan Coken and Mackera Molomangai study during the first week of the semester on Jan. 24, 2024, at The Haus, located at 623 S. Wabash Ave.

Students settle in to campus for start of spring semester after historic strike disrupted fall learning

By Kaelah Serrano, Christalyn Barker, and Abra Richardson
January 25, 2024
Richardson_Campus_StrikeDay8

[Photo] Explainer: Breaking down the bargaining agreement

By Miranda Bucio and Vivian Richey
January 23, 2024
Students outside 600 S. Michigan Ave. make picket signs in the morning to prepare for their student walk-in to the Provost's Office on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. One of their demands was a tuition refund for missed classes during the strike.

[Photo] Breaking: College offers partial credits, some refunds for classes impacted by strike

By Emily Ramirez, Social Media Content Creator
December 19, 2023
Members of the Latino Alliance join together at the Student, Diversity and Inclusion office at 618 S. Michigan Ave. on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, for a holiday potluck.

[Photo] Spanish-speaking parents need important college updates in their language, students say

By Miranda Bucio, Bilingual Reporter
December 15, 2023
The part-time faculty union is pushing for a central advising committee that would recommend course caps and make decisions about curriculum. They were on the picket line again on Friday Dec. 8, 2023, in their six-week-long strike against the college. Full-time faculty want curriculum decisions to be made at the department level. Any kind of a central committee "is against the principle of faculty owning the curriculum,” Faculty Senate President Madhurima Chakraborty said.

[Photo] Full-time faculty want decisions about curricular changes, class sizes to be made at program level and not with ‘central advisory committee’

By Vivian Richey and Uriel Reyes
December 8, 2023
A protester standing outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave. on Dec. 8, 2023 in solidarity with the part-time faculty union, who has been on strike to fight unfair labor practices.

[Photo] Explainer: Federal mediators can be effective but so far the union, college remain apart

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
December 8, 2023
Jaeya Bayani, a rapper and popper, poses in Columbia's Student Center on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. Bayani comes from California and is a senior at Columbia studying music business and hip-hop studies.

[Photo] Women rappers at Columbia take center stage

By Maya Swan-Sullivan and Cierra Lemott
November 28, 2023
Protesters walk to Columbia President and CEO Kwang Wu Kim's residence during a protest on Friday, Nov. 10, 2023

File Photo

[Photo] College addresses recruitment, retention amidst faculty strike

By Sydney Richardson, Staff Reporter
November 10, 2023
Paper graduation hats were laid around a table for first generation college students to decorate and write on, mentioning their goals for the futer and what keeps them going. The event for first generation students was held on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2023 at the Student Center located at 754 S. Wabash Ave.

[Photo] First-Gen Day celebrated at Student Center

By Uriel Reyes, Staff Reporter
November 9, 2023
Students, part-faculty and many other supporters jointed the picket line on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023 outside of 600 S. Michigan Ave. Many rallied together in support of Columbia Part-time Union fighting for a fair contract.

Part-time faculty and students march outside 600 S. Michigan Ave. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023 to protest the unfair labor practices at Columbia. This is the second day of a strike held by Columbia Faculty Union.

[Photo] Editorial: Students should check facts behind strike rhetoric

By Editorial Board
November 2, 2023
Part-time faculty and students march outside 1104 S. Wabash Ave. to protest the administration's labor practices on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023. This marks the third day of the strike and it is expected for the strike to continue throughout the rest of the week.

Union president expects strike to extend the rest of the week

By Abra Richardson, Director of Photography
November 1, 2023
Richardson_Campus_Campus_10_26_086

Part-time faculty union leadership stands in front of the 600 S. Michigan Ave. building on Oct. Thursday, 26, 2023, after a bargaining session with the college. After the multi-hour bargaining session, the union announced they intend to strike starting the following Monday.

[Photo] ‘It’s heartbreaking’: Part-time faculty speak out after union sends email ordering them to strike or face disciplinary action

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
October 27, 2023
Diana Vallera, CFAC president, addresses a crowd of students and part-time faculty about participating in a strike starting on Monday, Oct. 30. The crowd of supporters went outside of the 600 S. Michigan Ave. building soon after a meeting between the Columbia Faculty Union and some of Columbia's administration on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023.

[Photo] Breaking: Part-time faculty union to start strike on Monday

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
October 26, 2023
Columbia students sit down together to make picket signs in support of the Columbia Faculty Union and Student Body Coalition on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 at 600 S. Michigan Ave.

[Photo] Part-time faculty union hosts event to make picket signs ahead of possible strike

By Allison Shelton and Vivian Richey
October 24, 2023
Susan Padveen, associate chair and Grace Overbeke, assistant professor in the Theatre Department speaking to the Chronicle about the importance of having a space for students and faculty to mourn the loss of lives in the Middle East amidst the war. The first event opportunity to silently mourn was on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at 72 E. 11th St., and people can keep up to date with more events through social media.

Faculty support, educate students on the Israel-Hamas war

By Sydney Richardson, Allison Shelton, and Abra Richardson
October 17, 2023
Nicollete Alvarez and Christine Goodwnye of Pool Kids hang out at Riot Fest after their set on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. Riot Fest is a three day music festival held in Douglass Park filled with a hectic lineup of various genres.

Rain or shine, hot or cold, Riot Fest attendees dress for self-expression

By Addison Annis and Abra Richardson
September 16, 2023
Quinn Geshel, Michaela Jenkins and Hannah Ragins show off their looks inspired by Insane Clown Posse, who they are going to see tonight, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at Riot Fest in Douglass Park.

Bryannah Minor, Dayvon Simmons, Kennady Richard, I'Ja Wright and Karington Coy prepping the Black Student Union's booth before Columbia students arrive for Convocation, located at Grant Park on Friday, Sep. 1, 2023. Their booth has colored pencils and cards providing information about their club.

Members of Columbia's Black Student Union speak about the importance of giving Black students a voice and focus on diversifying the campus while at Convocation located at Grant Park on Friday, Sep. 1, 2023. All of the members are excited to speak with the student body about their program and values.

Columbia students, parents and friends line up outside of The Arc, located at 37 W. Van Buren St., waiting to check-in for their move in time slot on Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2023.

[Photo] Columbia students begin moving into dorms

By Miranda Bucio, Staff Reporter
August 29, 2023
Chris and Oliver Wood play the guitar on their knees while performing one of their newly released songs, on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at the Salt Shed, located at 1357 N. Elston Ave. Band’s new album “Heart is the Hero” was written amidst the pandemic and is about trusting your heart.

The Wood Brothers return to Chicago with new music and a performance at The Salt Shed

By Olivia Cohen and Abra Richardson
May 12, 2023
Carlos Lerma, who just finished the first year of his Film and Television major, stands outside the Dwight as he prepares to travel back to Mexico for the summer. Lerma is planning on continuing his studies as a film student as well as releasing a book featuring his poetry collection.

[Photo] And Action! Carlos Lerma works to master his filmmaking craft at Columbia

By Uriel Reyes, Staff Reporter
May 12, 2023
Yonty Friesem, an associate professor in the Communication Department, talks to the Chronicle about being one of the four winners of the Excellence in Teaching Award, on Thursday, May 4, 2023. One of Friesem's instructional areas is working to increase media literacy.

College selects four faculty for Excellence in Teaching Awards

By Olivia Cohen and Abra Richardson
May 5, 2023
Small Chinese shoes called lotus shoes are put on display on the eighth floor of 618 S. Michigan Ave. building, on April 14, 2023. Lotus shoes were worn by women in the early 19th century in China, to bind women's feet to fit smaller sizes.

Fashion Studies Department aim to teach ‘beyond the west’ as they continue to implement DEI into their lectures

By Abra Richardson and Amaris Edwards
May 4, 2023
Former Faculty Advisor to the Columbia Chronicle and former Associate Professor Curtis Lawrence talks with Opinions Editor Justice Lewis on the set of Media Hub Minute, on Friday, April 28, 2023.

[Photo] Communication Department loses its only full-time Black faculty member as Curtis Lawrence departs the college for Block Club Chicago

By Olivia Cohen, Editor-in-Chief
April 28, 2023
Music lovers reflect on ticket price increases

Music lovers reflect on ticket price increases

By Kimberly Kapela and Abra Richardson
April 27, 2023

Students compete for the title of ‘Biggest Mouth’ as the music competition returns to Metro

By Abra Richardson, Multimedia Reporter
April 22, 2023
Mayoral candidate Brandon Johnson welcomes a lively, cheering crowd during his victory speech after the announcement of his win over Paul Vallas at the Marriott Marquis Chicago located at 2121 S. Prairie Ave. on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.

Brandon Johnson elected next mayor of Chicago

By Leah Love and Abra Richardson
April 4, 2023
Llexxi Youngs, a senior film and television major, speaks about being one of the only Black students in her classes during the panel discussion led by the Antiracism Transformation Task Force on the fifth floor of the Student Center at 754 S. Wabash Ave. on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The panel was held for the Columbia community to address discrimination and racism on campus.

Antiracism Transformation Team announces effort to survey campus community about racial climate

By Amaris Edwards, Amina Sergazina, and Abra Richardson
March 22, 2023
Samuel Brown puts finishing touches on his first client of the day, Darren Johnson, at a Haircuts For Humane event at Danny's Barber & Beauty Salon located at 241 W. 119th St. in Chicago on March 6, 2023. Johnson has been a long-time client of Brown's and was eager to get a free haircut as he looks for re-employment.

Haircuts for Humane offers free haircuts to those in need

By Abra Richardson, Multimedia Reporter
March 10, 2023

Climate activists march South Loop streets protesting fossil fuel investments

By Elizabeth Rymut, Sam Tucker, and Abra Richardson
March 6, 2023
Protesters march towards Chase Tower, located at 10 S. Dearborn St. to spread awareness towards climate change on Friday, March 3. The crowd carried signs stating statistics and outrage towards Chase Bank.

[Photo] Youth climate activists march against fossil fuel investments

By Elizabeth Rymut, Managing Editor
March 3, 2023
Fashion Study Collection intern Anya Tapely pulls out a rack of clothes containing American fashion designers to find more pieces by Alice Berry on Feb. 22 at the Fashion Study Collection at 618 S. Michigan Ave. on the eighth floor.

Columbia’s Fashion Study Collection discovers unfound pieces by Black artists

By Abra Richardson, Multimedia Reporter
February 27, 2023
Rallygoers stand together in the cold with signs and candles outside of Saints Volodymyr and Olha Ukrainian Catholic Church, located at 739 N. Oakley Blvd. to support those fighting in Ukraine and to protest against Russian attacks, which has been going on for a year on Feb. 24.

[Photo] One year into Russia’s invasion, hundreds gather in Ukrainian Village

By Ruth Johnson, Managing Editor/Graphic Designer
February 25, 2023
Roderick Sawyer

Roderick Sawyer

By Abra Richardson, Multimedia Reporter
February 24, 2023
Giovanna Martin, Manifest's Creative Director (left) let a meeting attendee (right) help announce this year's Manifest Theme, Unlock, on Feb. 10 at the Student Center located at 754 S. Wabash Ave. Martin was chosen to be the creative director through an application process.

[Photo] Exclusive: ‘Unlock’ to be theme for Manifest celebration this year

By Vivian Richey, Staff Reporter
February 10, 2023
Brittany King, The Empowered Fee Fes member, an advocacy group for women with disabilities, located at 115 W. Chicago Ave., speaks with members via Zoom meeting on Feb. 6 about scheduling and enhancing their meeting repertoire.

[Photo] Women with disabilities ‘Take Charge!’ of sex education conversations after exclusions

By Amina Sergazina, Senior Reporter
February 8, 2023
A detailed look into Dawn Grace's tattoo of the day, a delicate peony is getting outlined and ready for coloring and shading, at Bella Rose Tattoo, located at 3811 N. Kedzie Ave. on Jan. 30. The tattoo gun buzzes loudly as it etches ink into the skin.

‘It was almost like closing a chapter in my life’: A healing journey through tattooing

By Kimberly Kapela and Abra Richardson
February 8, 2023
This year’s Lunar New Year Celebration, The Year of the Rabbit, is part of Uptown’s annual tradition of celebration that goes back more than 40 years.

Chicagoans come together to celebrate Lunar New Year amid racial targeting

By Abra Richardson and Amina Sergazina
February 4, 2023
Arewa Karen Winters urges the crowd of protesters to do research about candidates in the local elections coming up on Feb 28.

[Photo] Protestors in Chicago demand justice for Black Memphis photographer killed by police at traffic stop

By Elizabeth Rymut, Managing Editor
January 31, 2023
Located in all campus buildings, individual masks can be purchased in the vending machines for $2.50. The machines are restocked weekly. However, technical difficulties may occur.

Mask provisions at security discontinued for students

By Abra Richardson and Elizabeth Rymut
December 13, 2022
Vinyl records and boots are on display near the window at Vintage Goose on 1538 N. Halsted St.

[Photo] Fashion boutique Vintage Goose uplifts local, independent artists

By Kimberly Kapela, Copy Editor
November 14, 2022
Get to know your candidates for Illinois governor: Pritzker vs. Bailey

Get to know your candidates for Illinois governor: Pritzker vs. Bailey

By Abra Richardson and Elizabeth Rymut
November 2, 2022
A couple of paintings created by McLuckie line the walls at Press Here Studio.

Columbia alum and adjunct team up for colorful exhibition exploring ‘madness’ for queer people

By Amina Sergazina and Abra Richardson
October 28, 2022
Wild Rivers takes over Thalia Hall as fans watch them on a Monday evening.

Indie-folk band Wild Rivers reflect on their exciting year

By Abra Richardson, Staff Reporter
October 13, 2022
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