Wendell Hutson is a reporter for DNAinfo Chicago covering the Englewood, Chatham, Auburn Gresham communities on the South Side.

A Chicago native, Wendell is a 20-year veteran newspaper reporter who has worked in the Windy City his entire career. During his tenure he has won numerous awards including the 2009, 2010 and 2011 A. Philip Randolph “Messenger” award sponsored by the National Newspapers Publishers Association.

Previously, Wendell worked as a senior contributing writer for the Chicago Crusader, a 71-year-old community newspaper where he covered education, health, business and politics. Other newspapers he worked for include the Chicago Tribune, Illinois Real Estate Journal, Chicago Defender, and Pensions & Investments.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Columbia College Chicago, and since age 10 he has always wanted to be a journalist, especially since English was his favorite subject.

Wendell lives on the South Side with his wife and two sons.

Fun Fact: When he was younger, Wendell filled a out a Playboy subscription order form but had the bill sent to Oprah Winfrey's studio at 190 N. State. He later received the magazine and a card stating, "Enjoy!" with her signature "O" written underneath it.