July 2023 Digital Cover Experience: Inside The Chi
![The Chi Cover Final Cover[63]](https://www.ebony.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/19/The-Chi-Cover-Final-Cover63-235x144.jpg?t=1693534643)
Editor
EBONY fam, this month, we’re celebrating joy. The act of creating it, the act of amplifying it, and most importantly the act of sharing it. Simple moments and rituals that create small sparkles in daily living are sometimes all we need to manifest joy, even in the dark times. For some it comes in weekend road trips, the smiles of children, or boozy brunches. Our July editorial theme, ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ explores Black joy via the art of dining, entertaining, family, and fellowship. We’re launching two special covers that celebrate the joy of summer. First, Issa Rae graced her second EBONY cover on the heels of her ‘Barbie’ film debut. Next up, the cast of SHOWTIME’s ‘The Chi’ reveal their EBONY cover ahead of their Season 6 launch. Tune us as Jacob Latimore, Curtiss Cook, Birgundi Baker, Yolonda Ross and Luke James tell all.
Smiles are everywhere on this sunny day as Jacob Latimore, Luke James, Yolonda Ross, Birgundi Baker, and Curtiss Cook strike various poses. They are about an hour from the South Side, where the drama of their hit Showtime series The Chi has stirred for the last five seasons. Heading into the show’s sixth season as Emmett Washington, Victor “Trig” Taylor, the newly married Jada (Washington) Robinson, Kiesha Williams, and Otis “Douda” Perry is more than enough reason to celebrate. But there’s also a sense of elevation in the air and, just as important, evolution.
Since the show created and executive produced by Lena Waithe (with Common also serving as an executive producer) first premiered, in 2018, the road to six seasons has been an active one. The Chi’s is a big cast that has also seen several big-name regulars and guest stars —Jason Mitchell, Sonja Sohn, La La Anthony, Tabitha Brown, Kandi Burruss, and, most recently, Lynn Whitfield, along with Chicagoans DeRay Davis, Cory Hardrict, Lil Rel Howery, Vic Mensa, Iman Shumpert, and Jason Weaver, as well as Common and Waithe themselves – tapping in and out. James and Latimore came to the show as known singers and actors.
“It’s the Black experience. I feel like real recognizes real. And if you can just come on-screen and be real, live truthfully, people will recognize and appreciate that.”
Emmy winner Lena Waithe’s coming-of-age drama series, ‘The Chi’ centers around a group of residents in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. On a warm summer afternoon, the EBONY team, headed to the windy city to photograph the cast ahead of their much-anticipated Season 6’s launch in partnership with Showtime. Stars Jacob Latimore, Luke James, Yolonda Ross, Curtiss Cook and Birgundi Baker showed out in a series of colorful looks in pastel tones and brights. The cast embraced our ‘Garden Party theme amid lush greenery, stunning floral arrangements, decadent desserts and festive cocktails.
Showtime’s “The Chi” is set to return for its sixth season next week. As one of the most successful, long-running Black television shows currently on air, much of the credit goes to the Black writers and creatives behind the screen. The ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike has unfortunately left many writers out of work, and the duration of the strike remains uncertain. Despite this challenge, we hope that a resolution is reached sooner rather than later. As we eagerly await the upcoming season, we wanted to take a moment to appreciate the Black writers and creatives who have contributed to “The Chi” and played a significant role in making us fall in love with our July 2023 Cover Stars.
“When you look [at the show], you see your neighborhood.”
EBONY Evolution’ explores the past, present and future of our favorite stars. In an in-depth interview, we get an intimate look into the life, love, and career of Black trailblazers through their own voice and perspective. This month, ‘The Chi’ cast members Jacob Latimore, Yolonda Ross, Birgundi Baker, Curtiss Cook, and Luke James discuss the journey of their respective characters in the latest episode of EBONY Evolution. Learn more about their growth ahead of the season six premiere of the hit Showtime series.
Chicago’s historically Black Bronzeville neighborhood has long been deemed as the city’s cultural hub for Black culture, art and more. Since the early 20th century, the district has served as the epicenter for many thought leaders, including poet Gwendolyn Brooks. Located on the South Side of Chicago, the Bronzeville of present day is home to a plethora of successful Black-owned businesses from restaurants, boutiques and more. Recently, rapper Jay-Z surprised the owners—and patrons—of Bronzeville Soul during Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour stop in the city. As we continue to celebrate the cast of “The Chi” and the beauty of Chicago, we’ve curated this guide to exploring the city’s Black Metropolis.
As much as we love ‘The Chi’, there is is an essential trio that the beloved series simply cannot exist without. This young group of friends has literally grown up before our very eyes, and we can’t wait to witness their remarkable growth in this next set of episodes. Before diving into the highly-anticipated season, it’s only right that we take a moment to get better acquainted with the kids-turned-adults who have been at the heart of this series since day one. Learn more about the group of besties that we can’t live without.
EBONY fam, this month, we’re celebrating joy. The act of creating it, the act of amplifying it, and most importantly the act of sharing it. Simple moments and rituals that create small sparkles in daily living are sometimes all we need to manifest joy, even in the dark times. For some it comes in weekend road trips, the smiles of children, or boozy brunches. Our July editorial theme, ‘The Pursuit of Happiness’ explores Black joy via the art of dining, entertaining, family, and fellowship. We’re launching two special covers that celebrate the joy of summer. First, Issa Rae graced her second EBONY cover on the heels of her ‘Barbie’ film debut. Next up, the cast of SHOWTIME’s ‘The Chi’ reveal their EBONY cover ahead of their Season 6 launch. Tune us as Jacob Latimore, Curtiss Cook, Birgundi Baker, Yolonda Ross, and Luke James tell all.
Covers
![The Chi Cover Final Cover[63]](https://www.ebony.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/19/The-Chi-Cover-Final-Cover63-320x426.jpg?t=1696274390)
![Hailey Bailey Cover[1]](https://www.ebony.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/02/Hailey-Bailey-Cover1-320x426.jpg?t=1693598909)
![Jonathan Majors Retouched Cover eye[1]](https://www.ebony.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/05/Jonathan-Majors-Retouched-Cover-eye1-320x426.jpg?t=1693765236)
![CIARA- 1st cover drop[1]](https://www.ebony.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CIARA-1st-cover-drop1-320x426.jpg?t=1693401642)
