On this episode of Notes from Chicago, host Ashley Phillips sits down with Chicago photographer and visual artist Kenn Cook Jr. to discuss how he captures the true essence of the West Side of Chicago.

Kenn shares how photography became a powerful tool for documenting community, culture, and everyday life — challenging the negative narratives often attached to the West Side. Through his exhibition ‘Echoes of Home’ and his upcoming zine ‘From the West Side with Love,’ he spotlights the beauty, resilience, and complexity of Chicago residents whose stories are too often overlooked.

The conversation also explores his photojournalism work covering social issues in Chicago, including immigration enforcement activity involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the responsibility artists carry when documenting their communities. ...