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Juanita Bratcher

A Multi-Award-Winning Journalist, Bratcher was born in Columbus, Georgia. She graduated from Columbia College (Chicago) with a degree in Journalism. She was later hired as a staff writer for the Chicago Defender.

After almost a decade of investigative reporting, Bratcher left the Chicago Defender to start Bratcher-McMillan Publications, One on One TV and CopyLine Magazine. During that time as writer, publisher and editor for CopyLine Magazine, she also authored 17 songs and over 600 poems, many of which have been published in various anthologies – Best Poems of 1997, Best Poems of 1988, Best Poets of 1988, Poetry’s Elite: The Best Poets of 2000, A Celebration of Poets, The Best Poems & Poets of 2001, The Best Poems & Poets of 2003, The Sound of Poetry, Theatre of the Mind, and Colours of the Heart.

In 1993, her first book was published titled "Harold: The Making of a Big City Mayor," a book written about U.S. Congressman Harold Washington who successfully became Chicago's first Black Mayor in 1983. Bratcher was assigned to cover Washington's campaign trail during his successful run prior to her leaving the Chicago Defender.

She later published several more books, including the authorized biography of  John H. Stroger, former Cook County President and Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Commissioners  titled "Beyond the Boardroom: Empowering a New Generation of Leaders." She served as Stroger's personal assistant in Cook County Government and Press Secretary for his 2006 re-election campaign.

She was a journalist for more than 45 years and community activist for over 58 years at her passing, and is listed in several Who's Who publications including Who’s Who, including Marquis Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in the World, Who’s Who of American Women, Who’s Who in the Midwest, Who’s Who in Finance & Industry, Who’s Who of International Authors & Writers, Strathmore’s Who’s Who, Who’s Who in Executives and Businesses, Who’s Who in the 21st Century, Outstanding Writers of the 20th Century, 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals of the 21st Century, Who’s Who Historical Society, 2000 Outstanding Scholars of the 20th Century, A Mini-View of Black History, Somebody Special, and a 1993 Kool's Achiever nominee, as well as many others

She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Kizzy Award, Kizzy Foundation; Portraits of Achievers, Probation Challenge; Black Businesswoman of the Year, Everyday Hero Award, Illinois Secretary of State George Ryan; Par Excellence Journalism, Outstanding support of Human Rights, Illinois Department of Human Rights; Media Award, Black Contractors United; From Whence We Came Award, Allstate Insurance; Press Award, Chicago & Northern District Association of Club Women, Inc.; Excellence in Achievement, Zeta Phi Delta Sorority, Inc.; Service Award, Boy Scouts of America; Service Award, U.S. Department of Education, Region 5; Exemplary Civic Service Award, Dorcas Center; Community Service Award, Ada Park Advisory Council; Dedicated Service to the Community, Firefighters for Justice & Equality; Certificates of Merit, Chicago Public Schools; and Outstanding Service in the Media & Telecommunications, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Bratcher is the host of “One on One”, a cable television show; has also served as guest, panelist, or guest co-host of numerous television and radio programs, and participated in many workshops and forums on careers, journalism and politics, as a moderator or panelist.

Bratcher transitioned in her sleep on March 29, 2019. She is survived by her daughters Pamela McMillan, Angela Bratcher, Sonya Bratcher and son-in-law Clarence McMillan. Her husband, Labor Leader  Neal A. Bratcher, Sr. and son preceded her in death.