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. I have a Masters in Writing from DePaul University, and have taught journalism, and advised and directed, student media at The City Colleges of Chicago’s Wilbur Wright College, Appalachian State University, and Kansas State University.
My students 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. I could not have reached that recognition without my students.
I founded Ira David Productions (formerly known as 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 television production company. More recent clients have included Washington Recovery Alliance, National Safety Council, and Illinois State's Operation Lifesaver, Inc.
An avid cyclist, 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.
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, has been the presenting PBS station.
To give back, I founded Pedal4Life. The 501 c3 produces public television programming and offered drug treatment centers a 10-week bicycling program for their clients recovering from substance use disorders. Bicycles help those in recovery to avoid relapse and live healthy, productive lives. We also taught program graduates to write resumes and cover letters, and offered paid internships with the Pedal America show.
I also served as consulting producer for the public television series Mineral Explorers.
I'm a certified League of American Bicyclists League Cycling Instructor. When not coordinating a video shoot, consulting or teaching students, you can find me cycling around Chicago or cooking a gourmet meal at home. Love to cook!
Please reach out to me to talk about your needs and how my team can help to fulfill them.
HONORS | RECOGNITIONS | MEMBERSHIPS
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
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)
Board Member; Women in Film, Chicago; Mentorship Co-Chair