About Ira David Levy
Ira David is a journalist born and raised in New York City. He has published many newspaper and magazine stories on healthcare, the environment, and outdoor activity. He has worked at CNN and produced and hosted a national TV series on PBS. After earning an M.A. Writing degree from DePaul University, he spent 24 years teaching journalism and advising student media at The City Colleges of Chicago’s Wilbur Wright College, Appalachian State University, and Kansas State University.
His 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 Ira David with its Top 100 Pioneer award, recognizing him among the nation’s top 100 student media advisers over 100 years.
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In 2000, he founded Out-Write Media, LLC, as a professional writing training service for mid- and senior-level employees. His client list includes Abbott Laboratories, The Clara Abbott Foundation, Sears, and United Way. Ira David eventually transformed Out-Write Media 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 he 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, he 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, he 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. Ira David says, "The bicycles help those in recovery to avoid relapse and live healthy, productive lives. We help our program graduates to write resumes and cover letters, and offer paid internships with the Pedal America show."
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Ira David also served as consulting producer for public television series Mineral Explorers.
Ira David is a certified League of American Bicyclists League Cycling Instructor. When not coordinating a video shoot or teaching students, you can find him cycling around Chicago or cooking a gourmet meal at home.
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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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