Hello There!
Darcel Rockett is a consummate storyteller and writer whose work centers on narratives for and about populations/communities who need to be heard. An avid documenter of the Black experience, she continually aims to shine a light on the many facets of race and culture. She is currently a senior journalist for the Chicago Tribune where she covers stories that pique her curiosity.
“Darcel Rockett really listens to people – she hears you. She is an empath. She understands. She describes experiences in a way that allows the reader to connect to the people that she’s writing about…to create bridges. Darcel is a standout because she is a humanist and she comes from her heart, but she has such a head, such a brain, such an ability to craft words into a picture that people can relate and connect to and truly reflects the voices of the people she writes about. When I think of the media as a tool for building power and influence for those who need more of it, when I think about the importance of the media as our public history and when I think about the media as our storyteller, I think of Darcel Rockett.”-Laurie Glenn, founder, president and CEO of Thinkinc., international strategic public affairs and political consulting firm
Awards & Recognition
2024 Studs Terkel Award: For definitive craft of storytelling, which illuminates Chicago’s diverse human experiences and fosters cross-cultural connection and deep dialogue exchange.
2024 Illinois State Historical Society: Superior Achievement, Ongoing Periodicals
Illinois’ Underground Railroad series, Best of Illinois History Awards