Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA

Before the 13 GRAMMY award nominations, five GRAMMY wins, and a storied 37-year career where she’s been celebrated as an artist’s artist, there was Chicago. Jazz, soul and R&B legend Lalah Hathaway joins CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen on “Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA” to talk about the city—and the CTA bus rides—that helped shape her extraordinary musical journey. From her love for her hometown to the book she’s written about her legendary father, soul icon Donny Hathaway, there’s plenty to discover about one of Chicago’s most celebrated voices. CTA riders heard her rail station announcements as part of the “Made in Chicago: CTA x Lalah Hathaway” partnership. Now, hear more about her story.

Go behind the glass at the CTA Control Center Operations (CCO)—the 24/7 nerve center for CTA's bus and rail network. In the eighth episode of Moving Experiences, CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen sits down with CCO Vice President Randall Gray and CCO General Manager Tonisha Chambers-Johnson. Together, they discuss what a “typical” day looks like, how the team navigates major city events like the Chicago Marathon, the DNC, Lollapalooza and baseball games, and how they keep riders informed during unexpected service disruptions.

Acting President Leerhsen sits down with Co-owner & Operating Chairman of the WNBA championship-winning team Chicago Sky, Nadia Rawlinson in the latest episode of Moving Experiences: Stories of the CTA. The discussion highlights the overlap between the Sky and CTA— two institutions that are not just in Chicago but, as discussed, “of Chicago.”

Acting President Nora Leerhsen sits down with three of the women who have pours their hearts, souls and talents into making the Red Line Extension project a reality.

CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen talks with Chance the Rapper about how this new, one-of-a-kind partnership came to be, plus the global hip-hop superstar shares his experiences about growing up in Chicago, including being a CTA rider. The two discuss the intersection of different art mediums and how it has inspired Chance’s work, particularly his latest album, "STAR LINE." Chance breaks down some of the tracks from the album and gives a behind-the-scenes look into his method, partnerships and stories behind the lyrics.