The Crusader staff mourns the loss of a remarkable talent and a true trailblazer in broadcast journalism: Renee Ferguson, whose steadfast dedication to truth, equity and community left an indelible mark on the city she loved. Renee passed away on June 8, 2025, surrounded by family and colleagues who shared her passion for storytelling and justice.
Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Renee sparked her interest in storytelling from a young age—clipping articles about the city’s rich history and the heroes about whom few had heard. As a journalism student at Northwestern University’s Medill School, she honed her reporting skills with fervor, determined to give voice to the unheard. She began her career at local public radio before joining WGN-TV in the early 1990s, becoming one of the first African American women to hold a prime-time anchor role in Chicago.
Her reporting career spanned more than three decades. Through her rigorous investigations into housing inequities, systemic racism in the criminal justice system, and disparities in education and healthcare, Renee became a beacon of fearless journalism. Whether perched outside city hall or walking Chicago’s most underserved neighborhoods, she approached each story with a mixture of compassion and tenacity. “You’ve got to see it to tell it,” she often remarked—an ethos that carried her into every assignment.
Renee’s journalistic excellence did not go unnoticed. She earned seven Chicago Emmy Awards, a prestigious Alfred I. duPont–Columbia Award, and was awarded a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard, underscoring her dedication to impactful journalism and investigative reporting that exposed truth and inspired reform.
Renee’s trailblazing extended beyond her on-air presence. She mentored dozens of young reporters of color, many of whom went on to prominent roles in broadcast and print media. She advocated fiercely for newsroom diversity long before such conversations were common. Her efforts helped pave paths for future generations of journalists seeking to tell more representative stories of Chicago communities.
Colleagues remember that, behind the camera, Renee possessed a wry sense of humor and a warm laugh that could light up a newsroom. She would often stay late to polish final edits or linger after meetings to counsel a worried young reporter. Her teammates say that her steadfast encouragement made a real difference in their lives, professionally and personally.
Renee’s husband, Ken Smikle, publisher of Target Market News and her partner in both life and community advocacy, passed away in 2018 after a battle that brought awareness to organ donation. They are survived by their son, Jason Smikle, who continues to carry forward their shared commitment to media and social equity.
Renee’s legacy endures in the countless stories she told—stories of struggle, of triumph, and of Chicago’s complex tapestry. Her unwavering belief in journalism’s power to illuminate truth and to empower voices too often ignored will continue to guide the work of those who follow in her footsteps.
A public memorial celebration is planned for later this month at the Chicago Public Media Center, where friends, colleagues, and community members will gather to share memories and honor her legacy.