Leah Hope
Prior to joining ABC 7, Hope worked at KATU-TV, the ABC affiliate in Portland, Oregon. At KATU-TV, she anchored weekend evening newscasts and reported during the week. Previously, she held the same positions at WISH-TV in Indianapolis, Indiana. Hope began her broadcasting career as a general assignment reporter at WBOC-TV in Salisbury, Maryland.
Hope's work covering issues in the African American community has been honored on both national and local levels. In 2003, she won two awards from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for reports on a group of "Lost Boys" attacked by a Chicago gang and changes in the cosmetic industry that reflect the changing face of America. The NABJ Chicago Chapter awarded Hope the 2003 Russ Ewing Excellence in Journalism Award and recognized her again with the 2004 Excellence in Enterprise Journalism Award for a series of reports on affirmative action.
Hope received an Emmy award for the half-hour primetime special, "9/11/02 The New Homeland." She contributed to "People, Places, and Things You Should Know: Women in Science and Technology," which won the 2001 Gracie Award from American Women in Radio and Television. Hope has been awarded several Peter Lisagor Awards, given by the Society of Professional Journalists, for stories ranging from breaking news coverage to consumer and business reporting. She was honored by the Chicago chapter of the Council on Islamic American Relations with the 2007 Media Award for ethical reporting. Hope was honored as the 2013 recipient of the Diogenes Award for Excellence in media from the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois. In addition to that she won an Emmy for reporting during the 2012 NATO Summit.
Hope is as a visiting faculty member at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies in St. Petersburg, Florida. She is a Journalism Advisory Board member at Columbia College and belongs to several journalism organizations including: Investigative Reporters and Editors Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, American Women in Radio and Television, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Outside journalism, her community involvement includes work in the arts. She is a member of the Leadership Advisory Council at the Art Institute of Chicago, Museum of Contemporary Art and Instituto Cervantes of Chicago. Hope's charitable work took her to Minneapolis on bicycle to participate in the 2001 Chicago AIDS Ride. She has been involved in several breast cancer awareness campaigns to promote early detection.
Hope received her B.S. degree in Broadcast Journalism/Political Science from Syracuse University in New York. She is the great-granddaughter of John Hope; the first African-American president of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. Hope is married and resides in the Chicago area.
Leah's Stories
Family of Dexter Reed, who was shot, killed by Chicago police, files federal civil rights lawsuit
The family of a man, who Chicago police fatally shot during a traffic stop, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit.
Over 100 'very proud' Will, DuPage County residents become US citizens in Joliet ceremony
It is a long and sometimes difficult process, but, as of Tuesday, over 100 people can now call themselves U.S. citizens.
Jury finds Sandra Kolalou guilty of murder, dismemberment of landlord Frances Walker in 2022
A jury found Sandra Kolalou guilty of the murder and dismemberment of her landlord Frances Walker in 2022.
Woman accused in death, dismemberment of West Ridge landlord testifies in own defense
The woman charged with killing and dismembering her landlord testified in her own defense Friday.
Annual Englewood back-to-school parade canceled due to police resources ahead of Chicago DNC
A beloved tradition celebrated in Chicago's Englewood community for decades has been canceled.
Kolalou trial: Other renters testify they heard arguing night before landlord killed, dismembered
Neighbors of the woman accused of killing and dismembering her landlord on the Far North Side in 2022 testified Wednesday in her murder trial.
US Rep. Jonathan Jackson faces criticism for comments made about Chicago Fire Department
Congressman Jonathan Jackson was recorded at a private event alleging some white firefighters in the past would let homes in predominantly African-American neighborhoods burn.
Mother-daughter prom held in honor of fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston
A prom event Wednesday in the south suburbs was especially meaningful for the mother of fallen Chicago Police Officer Aréanah Preston as the event paid tribute to her memory.
Blue Island Police Department to swear in its 1st officer who is a DACA recipient
A Blue Island woman who came to the U.S. as a child, and was allowed legal status to work through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, is taking the oath to serve and protect.
Berwyn teacher uses LightSound to 'show' visually impaired students 2024 solar eclipse
An instructional coach at Morton West High School was able to get a LightSound device in time for Monday's solar eclipse so his students with visual impairments could experience it.