Dave Hoekstra

Dave Hoekstra is a Chicago-based journalist, who has written for many publications, including the Chicago Sun-Times, where he was a staff writer and critic for 30 years. 

He was awarded the 2013 Studs Terkel Community Media Award for his columns and critiques and nominated for a Chicago Emmy for his documentary work on the Staple Singers and the Civil Rights Movement. He was writer-producer for the award-winning 2018 music documentary, The Center of Nowhere: The Spirit and Sounds of Springfield, Mo.

Dave has written several books including three for Chicago Review Press:  The Supper Club Book (2013), The People’s Place: Soul Food Restaurants and Reminiscences From the Civil Rights Era to Today (2015),  and The Camper Book: A Celebration of a Moveable American Dream (2018). His most recent book is Beacons in the Darkness: Hope and Transformation Among America’s Community Newspapers (Agate, 2022) and his next book is Art Paul: The Evolution of an Artist, which will be out in spring 2025 (Trope Publishing in Chicago). He is a regular contributor to Newcity magazine. For more on Hoekstra’s writing, visit www.davehoekstra.com