‘We Are the Culture’ author Arionne Nettles says Black Chicagoans are limitless

Journalists often avoid including themselves in the stories they tell. But when Arionne Nettles sat down to write a book about Black Chicago, she knew she had to include some of her story. 

“I am a byproduct of the culture that I’m talking about,” Nettles said. 

Her book is called “We Are the Culture: Black Chicago’s Influence on Everything.” And when she says “everything,” she means it: The book chronicles Black Chicagoans’ impact on dance, music, fashion, hair and even journalism itself. 

In this episode, host Erin Allen talks to Nettles about the book, her own story and why Black Chicagoans are limitless.