Established in 1983, the Chicago Access Network Television, better known as CAN TV, is a public, educational, and government access (PEG) cable television service in Chicago, Illinois. Its mission is to "promote people's right to speak and be heard, teach independent media use, seek understanding through media, link people to local opportunities, and invest people with the power of technology."
Darrious Hilmon is the Executive Director of CAN TV. Hilmon provides global oversight of the five-station television network, serving as the lead champion for digital literacy, access, and equity, and the active engagement and partnership of community partners and other key stakeholders needed to ensure that community access remains relevant for viewers, producers, and guests.
I had the chance to speak with Hilmon on a recent episode of Fulcrum Democracy Forum (FDF). The program engages citizens in evolving government to meet all people's needs better. Consistent with the Fulcrum's mission, FDF strives to share many perspectives to widen our readers' viewpoints.
Darrious and I have known each other for some time. In my role as publisher of Illinois Latino News, an affiliate of the Latino News Network, we have collaborated in the production of programs, including Chicago Politics, PRESENTE!, Sazon de Illinois, and 3 Questions With.
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Hilmon is the host of the popular CAN TV Signature Program In the Arena airing Tuesdays at 7p on CAN TV19.
Most recently, Hilmon served as Executive Director of the Chicago State Foundation, where he was charged with advancing the interests and welfare of Chicago State University through partnership development, stewardship of university assets, and identification and solicitation of financial support from individuals, corporations, and foundations.
Hilmon has also served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the Chicago Urban League (CUL), overseeing fund development, outcomes-driven programs, and design and implementation of cross-functional initiatives, including CUL’s Race and Equity Initiative and Centennial Campaign. Hilmon hired and led the fund development team responsible for delivering the most successful annual fundraising campaigns in the civil rights organization’s 101-year history.
A graduate of the University of Michigan, Hilmon is the Essence® best-selling author of the novels, 5 Dimes (Penguin/NAL; 2003) and Divalicious (Penguin/NAL; 2004), and the anthology, Mad Love (AuthorHouse; 2005).
Here are other Change Leaders who I had the opportunity to interview as part of the Fulcrum Democracy Forum series:
- Sam Daley Harris, founder of Civic Courage
- Sylvia Puente, President & CEO, Latino Policy Forum
- Jaisal Noor, Solutions Journalism Network's Democracy Cohort Manager
- Audra Watson, Chief of Youth Civic Programs, Institute for Citizens & Scholars
I am the Fulcrum's executive editor. As a journalist, I take a collaborative approach to paving the path forward to a more informed and engaged citizenry, fortifying the foundations of democracy.
