About Ira David Levy

I am a journalist born and raised in New York City. I've published many newspaper and magazine stories on healthcare, the environment, and outdoor activity, and worked at CNN and produced and hosted a national TV series on PBS. After earning my M.A. Writing degree from DePaul University, I spent 26 years teaching journalism and advising student media at The City Colleges of Chicago’s Wilbur Wright College, Appalachian State University, and Kansas State University.

I am proud for my students. They have earned countless state, regional and national awards, including the Associated Collegiate Press’s (ACP) coveted Pacemaker, often considered the Pulitzer Prize of college journalism. In 2022, ACP awarded me with its Top 100 Pioneer award, recognizing me among the nation’s top 100 student media advisers over 100 years. But I could not have reached that recognition without my students.

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In 2000, I founded Out-Write Media, LLC, as a professional writing training service for mid- and senior-level employees. My client list includes Abbott Laboratories, The Clara Abbott Foundation, Sears,  and United Way. It eventually transformed into a full-service corporate video and public television production company.

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An avid cyclist for more than 35 years, in 2001 I created and pedaled the 9-11 New York Education Ride, a 4,486 mile trek across the United States to raise college funds for children who lost parents in the September 11 terrorist attacks.

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In 2012, I created, executive produced and hosted Pedal America, the national travel television series that broadcasted in 93% of PBS's household reach. WTTW, in Chicago, is the presenting PBS station. To give back, I founded a nonprofit​, Pedal4Life. The 501 c3 produces public television programming and offers drug treatment centers a 10-week bicycling program for their clients recovering from opioid addiction. The bicycles help those in recovery to avoid relapse and live healthy, productive lives. We also help our program graduates to write resumes and cover letters, and offer paid internships with the Pedal America show.

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I also served as consulting producer for public television series Mineral Explorers.

 

I'm a certified League of American Bicyclists League Cycling Instructor. When not coordinating a video shoot or teaching students, you can find me cycling around Chicago or cooking a gourmet meal at home. Love to cook!

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HONORS   |   RECOGNITIONS   |   MEMBERSHIPS

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Top 100 Pioneer award, Associated Collegiate Press (ACP)

ACP Professional Advisory Committee

Two-Year College Adviser of the Year, College Media Association (CMA)

Secretary, CMA Board of Directors (2005-2009)

Nominated and past candidate for CMA presidential ballot

Golden Apple Teacher Award, Phi Theta Kappa, Omega Chapter (Twice awarded)

Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers (Nominated and Published five times)

Honorary Member inductee; Women in Film, Chicago

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