Institute of Politics

Tonika Lewis Johnson, a visionary photographer and social justice artist deeply rooted in Chicago's South Side Englewood, illuminates the shadows of injustice within real estate and land use practices, advocating for transformative change, especially in historic preservation.

Her ongoing opus, Folded Map, transcends visual storytelling by unraveling the stark disparities among segregated Chicago residents, compelling them to engage in meaningful conversations. Meanwhile, her poignant "Inequity For Sale" project unearths the living history of Greater Englewood homes sold under discriminatory Land Sale Contracts in the 50s and 60s, urging a critical reevaluation and the creation of positive change.

Internationally acclaimed, Tonika's artistry has earned her accolades, including Chicago Magazine's Chicagoan of the Year, and has been showcased at prestigious venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Rootwork Gallery in Pilsen, the Chicago Cultural Center, the Harold Washington Library Center, and Loyola University's Museum of Art.

Her impact extends beyond art, recognized as a 2019 Field Foundation "Leader for a New Chicago," a 2022 Landmark Illinois Influencer, and recently concluding a 2023 Ateliers Médicis Artist in Residence in Paris, France. Serving as a Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Cultural Advisory Council member, a lead co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective, and the Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.), Tonika now spearheads the Folded Map Project™ non-profit as its Creative Executive Officer, embodying the transformative power of art in advocacy and community leadership.