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, Georgia. Hope lives in the Chicago area.
Leah's Stories
FAA hosts job fairs across Chicago area to recruit air traffic controllers
The shortage of air traffic controllers was highlighted during the recent government shutdown. There are efforts in the Chicago area to bring in new air traffic controllers.
Pregnant woman has 27-pound fibroid removed at Chicago hospital: 'outlook is phenomenal'
A local pregnant woman came to Loretto Hospital looking for options to deal with her advanced fibroid after other doctors told her she would likely lose a pregnancy and her fertility.
Wife, son of late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer found shot, dead, Chicago officials say
The widow and son of the late Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer were found dead Tuesday night, officials have confirmed.
New drug created at Northwestern helps pancreatic cancer patients live longer, oncologist says
ABC7 talked to a widow who says the drug helped her have more time with her husband.
Yusef Jackson presides over 1st Rainbow PUSH Coalition weekly forum as new president, CEO
The weekly forum at Rainbow PUSH headquarters brought a variety of issues to the crowd, all under the leadership of the newly appointed president and CEO Yusef Jackson.
Chicago jury awards millions to families after babies fall ill after consuming Abbott formula
A trial that lasted five weeks is over regarding baby formula made by Illinois-based Abbott Labs.
Family seeking answers after Evanston woman suffers brain damage, in coma at hospital
An incident or series of incidents at the border of Chicago and Evanston have led to an Evanston woman having brain damage.
Cherry blossom trees draw crowds to Jackson Park, new Museum of Science and Industry features coming
A sunny April day is a busy one in Jackson Park.
Chicago South Side Birth Center set to open in early 2027
The Chicago South Side Birth Center is set to open in early 2027.
Leaders of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park working to resume operations
A suburban hospital now says it will not close.