These principles shape how I operate and how I decide what gets featured.
The Brown Line is editorially independent. No advertiser, sponsor, event organizer, or community member has any influence over what gets featured, how it's covered, or what gets left out. All coverage decisions are made based on The Brown Line's editorial criteria and my own judgment.
The Brown Line is a curated cultural guide — not a reviewing or rating platform. Inclusion is not an endorsement, and absence is not a judgment. The goal is to surface meaningful cultural programming, not to evaluate or rank it.
I spotlight events and cultural programming based on these core criteria:
Community & Cultural Relevance
Rooted in Global South diaspora communities
Community-centered, solidarity-driven, or culturally significant
Accessibility & Inclusion
Affordable (free or low-cost whenever possible)
Accessible within the city of Chicago
Designed to be welcoming and inclusive
Depth & Intent
Educational, intellectually engaging, or culturally enriching
Supportive of holistic community wellness
Independence & Integrity
Independent or underpromoted
Ethically organized — not exploitative or extractive
Meeting these criteria doesn't guarantee coverage. I receive more submissions than I can feature, and final decisions come down to editorial judgment and space.
Community members and event organizers are welcome to submit events for consideration at [email protected]. I review all submissions using the criteria above, but not everything can be included. Submitting an event doesn't guarantee it will be featured.
I don't accept payment, gifts, or compensation in exchange for coverage or mentions. If something is featured here, it's because I genuinely believe it's worth your time. I may occasionally attend events using complimentary access, but that never guarantees coverage or influences what I choose to include.
The Brown Line does not currently run ads or sponsored content. If that changes, any sponsorships will be clearly labeled and only accepted from organizations that align with The Brown Line's values. They won't influence editorial decisions.
I work full-time as an editor at a national nonprofit newsroom. The Brown Line is a separate, independent project. Because this work is community-rooted, I may have personal or professional connections to some of the people or spaces featured. Those relationships don't determine coverage. When context matters, I'll share it. The Brown Line has a perspective, not a political agenda. The Brown Line is intentionally centers Global South diaspora communities in Chicago. The politics you'll find here live in the communities I cover — in the events, the organizers, and the cultural work being documented — not in advocacy or activism on my part.
I do my best to verify event details — dates, times, locations, and ticket info — before publishing. Things can change, so it's always worth double-checking with organizers directly. If I get something wrong, I'll fix it. For smaller errors, I may update and flag on social. For something more significant, I'll clearly acknowledge and correct it in the next issue. To flag an error: [email protected]
I welcome feedback, critique, and conversation from the communities this work is for. That's part of keeping this project honest and useful.
Every publication has a lens. Mine is shaped by my identity as a South Asian American Muslim woman, journalist, and Chicagoan. That lens influences what gets spotlighted — more transit-accessible than suburban, more culture-focused than consumption-driven, more community-rooted than trend-chasing. The Brown Line isn't a neutral aggregator. It's a curated publication with a clear point of view and stated values. You deserve to know that — and to decide for yourself whether this ride is for you.
Last updated: April 2026 Questions? [email protected]