Pershing Road - Garfield AveWestern Ave - Halsted St
Due to industrialization in the area, and the Union Stock Yard, Back of the Yards is a historically immigrant neighborhood. The culture of the neighborhood has always paralleled the working environment; in the late 19th century Back of the Yards was settled by Irish, German and Czechs who were skilled butchers. In the 1900s the neighborhood transformed into Slavic enclaves where the people who worked in factories and in the stockyards had created their own schools and churches that were specific to their culture. Back of the Yards was infamously immortalized by Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” who described the working conditions and pollution in the area. After the Great Depression, there was a major shift in the neighborhood with community organizing, industrial union movements, and civil rights to improve overall living standards in the neighborhood. These movements were led by the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council and United Packinghouse Workers of America. In the 1970s, Back of the Yards became a home for Latinx immigrants, and African Americans.
Currently, Back of the Yards remains a largely Latinx immigrant, and African American working class neighborhood, heavily influenced by factories in the area. The main areas of commerce are along Ashland Ave, and 47th street.
In 1940, the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council introduced an annual community festival that was known as the Free Fair; this month-long event served as both an opportunity to bring entertainment and activities to the Back of the Yards neighborhood and as a fundraiser for the BYNC’s various programs. The event features a wide array of music and dance performances including aztec dancing, ballet folklórico, mariachi, banda, etc. Additionally, the event hosts live painting by local artists and many art vendors sell their art.
VISITCommunity led yearly event, started in 2011. Free art sessions/ project building/ support community groups with projects for event/promote art and culture.
VISITIn 2016, Fiesta de la Vida became a week long celebration of life organized by Alderman Raymond Lopez + many other community organizations. It was planned on the same weekend as the Dia de los Muertos Procession and many community members believed it was an attack from the Alderman in response to their refusal to let him hang his banners and have main stage at this community focused event. This festival did not continue after this year.
Local annual lowrider car and bike gathering, featuring a blessing, raffles, live music, and drink specials.
VISITMexican celebration of independence on September 16th. Community joins together on the streets to yell for independence.
Mexican Catholic tradition that happens before christmas day. Every night between Dec 16th and the 24th community walks from church to different community homes asking for "shelter" for the birth of Jesus and a celebration ensues every night in different neighborhood homes.
Star Farm is a NFP with a farm made accessible to community organizers, artists, and educators. They host arts workshops and storytelling events and support community building and healing practices.
VISITNeighborhood park offering space for cultural programming and events.
VISITProgramming for all age groups including crafts, storytime, book discussions. Inter generational community parties - especially for the holidays. Summer parties at the park. Movie nights. Workshops on painting, vision boards, also open to community members to lead workshops at the library.
VISITEmpty green space used by community for the yearly Christmas tree lighting and gathering + food distribution, marches, and other significant events. Shopping center that was once the original site for the Fiesta Back of the Yards. Now it is a hangout spot for many youth and youth based organizing.
Programming for all age groups including crafts, storytime, book discussions. Inter generational community parties - especially for the holidays. Summer parties at the park. Movie nights. Workshops on painting, vision boards, also open to community members to lead workshops at the library.
VISITXochitl-Quetzal Aztec Dance Experience a journey into Mexico's ancient Aztec culture of music, song and dance. Xochitl-Quetzal invites you to a dynamic and vibrant performance honoring the heritage of the tradition of La Danza De Los Concheros. Join us and explore the Aztec world of indigenous ceremony and ritual. We offer free dance practice lessons and cultural healing ceremonies in Back of the Yard and Little Village.
VISITAmor al Arte is a collective of neighborhood women that came together to create art opportunities for the neighborhood.
VISITA collective of young artists and performers based out of Back of the Yards. Collective was born out of Back of the Yards College Prep.
VISITThis intergenerational marimba ensemble is over 30 years old and started out of the Holy Cross Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. In 2016 they began their summer pop-up ensembles, playing on street corners with heightened levels of violence in Back of the Yards. This pop ups were intended to bring community together and create a sense of peace in moments of violence.
VISITAround since 1992, this flea market is a space for gathering for many community in the neighborhood. It was identified during one of our workshops as an important space for culture-making.
VISITNeighborhood park offering space for cultural programming and events. Mentioned by Alma Silva + other community members as important space for community cultural events.
Mentioned during a workshop as one of the few community spaces where youth and elders are able to hang out safely. || "Safe space is where people feel safe in the community, whether that's home, Dunkin' Donuts on 43rd , McDonald's by Swap-O-Rama, the church, the grocery stores, where you buy tortillas at Atoltonico, the food vendor on 47th and Paulina. That's what i mean by safe spaces- the people who visit these safe spaces are the ones sharing our stories, our histories. Which shows the lack of spaces in our community- safe spaces." - Pedro Leon
Mentioned during a workshop as one of the few community spaces where youth and elders are able to hang out safely. || "The people who visit these safe spaces are the ones sharing history and story." - Pedro Leon
Built in the late 1800s, this remnant of the Chicago Stockyards still serves as an important community landmark and hosted the Dia de los Muertos Procession in 2020.
Identified in survey as an important landmark for the community. All the colors and murals are representative of the neighborhood's Mexican culture.
Kwameana Jackson was identified as a storykeeper in the narratives workshop. Kwameana is a catholic worker at Su Casa Women's Shelter in the neighborhood and land steward + chef at the Breathing Room.
Anthony Brown is part of the Port Ministries and has ran their bread truck initiative for many years. He was identified as a community storykeeper at one of our community narrative workshops.
VISITAlma was identified as a storykeeper in both a survey and a workshop. They are part of Free Street Hood Momz and are also a core member of the Parent Mentor group in Back of the Yards. This group of parents is involved with four different schools in the neighborhood and organize various events throughout the year. || "El arte va estar siempre va estar reconocido y lo podemos ver en nuestro barrio de BoTY, los murales que están pintados alrededor de nuestras comunidades donde existen edificios en mal estado y quieren convertir una obra de arte de ahí." - Alma Silvia-Sigala || "Existe un grupo con que pertenezco Hood Moms con Free Street y yo me siento muy contenta creo que es una parte de sanacion y nos están enseñando el arte en alguna manera en representarnos. No aislarnos por no saber inglés me siento parte de, me siento incluida, me sienta representada, por mi color, me siento muy representada." - Alma Silvia-Sigala || "Y eso es arte, en toda la extensión de la palabra, el simple hecho de que yo hable y de mi testimonio de alguna manera representa bastante." - Alma Silvia-Sigala
VISITCommunity stakeholder and leader of the IHM Marimba Ensemble, Angie was identified at our narratives workshop as a community storykeeper and teller.
Bruce Wellems is a community stakeholder and leader as part of the Peace and Education Coalition. He organizes community events and was identified by community at our workshop as a storykeeper/teller.
Henry is a leader of Xochitl-Quetzal Danza Azteca, as well as a visual artist.
Consuelo was identified in Narratives Workshop as a storykeeper and teller in the community. Consuelo is a mom, part of Parent Mentors (with Alma) and also part of Hood Momz. || "El vecindario está describido [como] “caliente” por la violencia pero lo llamó mi pueblito." - Consuelo Martinez || "All our residents every single one of them,a parents, child, father, mother, brother, sister, our aunts, our uncle, we are all storytellers, we are all cultural assets in our own sense." - Consuelo Martinez || " En Mi Comunidad hay una lluvia de colores por nuestra cultura Mexica, pero predomina nuestro color brown, por que eso somos morenitos. ll In my community there is a rainfall of colors from our Mexican culture. But the predominant one is our color BROWN because we are brown.- Consuelo Martinez
Bertha was identified is both a survey and workshop as an important neighborhood storyteller and keeper. They are also a librarian at the Back of the Yards Library Branch.
Quique is an artist and musician, currently a member of the band Subele that performs across the city. He has led MicroFoam for two years now, an open mic night at Back of the Yards Coffee House.
Mayra is a visual artist, graphic designer, and youth facilitator working out of Back of the Yards. They are also co-owner of Back of the Yards Coffeeshop.
VISITClaudia is a community member and artist youth instructor + mentor.
Tola's Creations provides spiritual items, cultural apparel focusing on African prints, African artwork, jewelry and classes and workshops on African spirituality.
VISITMuralist and Graffiti Artist created mural pieces on 49th and Hermitage, 49th and Marshfield, 51st and Wood, 51st and Elizabeth, 46th and Laflin, 48th and Wolcott, 47th and Ashland.
Gloria "Gloe" Talamantes is a cultural worker, visual artist, writer, arts and cultural program developer, and placemaker.
VISITPedro Gustavo is a Brighton Park based visual and culinary artist currently engaging community specific culinary+health project. Mainly illustration and graphic work (DRAWING), painter and sculptor. Works with figurative work and work that represents the human soul without fully representing the human body. || "Current project : Old Black Cat - Started off as an idea for providing food to families that were affected by COVID. To offer a healthy pizza pie for a low-cost that can be made and delivered to families who don't have time to cook. Idea is to explore the simplicity of the marguerita pizza. Goal is to become first street vendor selling pizza pies!! Planning to build a woodstove oven on wheels."
Over the last ten years I've worked in Urban agriculture which prompted my mother to share stories, stories that have shifted and stirred my creativity and provided a window to the past that before then was never open to me. When the oppurtunity presents itself i run/have ran workshops on tincture making, jewelry making, and gardening. Currently working with partner in plant starts and sales in Las Yardas.
Mayra is a visual artist, graphic designer, and youth facilitator working out of Back of the Yards. They are also co-owner of Back of the Yards Coffeeshop.
Over the last ten years I've worked in Urban agriculture which prompted my mother to share stories, stories that have shifted and stirred my creativity and provided a window to the past that before then was never open to me. When the oppurtunity presents itself i run/have ran workshops on tincture making, jewelry making, and gardening. Currently working with partner in plant starts and sales in Las Yardas.
Local church that hosts concerts, events, and workshops for the neighborhood.
VISITInspired by St. Francis and the Franciscan Charism, the Port Ministries mission is to provide the fundamental needs of the mind, body, and spirit. The organization addresses these needs through a series of programs and services that holistically work together to serve the under-resourced and under-served residents of the local communities (Back of the Yards, Englewood, Gage Park).
VISITThis place has been a home and refuge for many. There are murals on the brick walls surrounding the property that change over time, while murals within the 130-year old former franciscan friary reflect the stories, experiences, and hopes of hundreds of past residents, immigrants, citizens, homeless and hopeful alike. Frieda's Place Soup Kitchen, a 28 year-old-ministry, is a place of community storytelling and storykeeping, and also is blessed with a growing collection of murals in its dining room. The apartment above the soup kitchen has been a community called Pete's Place, and is currently a place where volunteers coming to learn about this neighborhood stay for up to a week. The Breathing Room, curated by #LetUsBreathe, a BLM-affiliated artist and activist group, is the third building on campus, which actively curates political education via the arts. Finally, nearly a half acre of open space is farmed and gardened collectively by Su Casa and #LetUsBreathe in conjunction with neighbors and the broader urban agricultural community, hosting events, photoshoots, workshops, meals, conversations, and much cultural exchange.
VISITCatholic Church that offers its space for different workshops and community events around arts, music, and woodshop.
VISITChicago Public Library located within Sherman Park. Programming for all age groups including crafts, storytime, book discussions. Inter generational community parties - especially for the holidays. Summer parties at the park. Movie nights. Workshops on painting, vision boards, also open to community members to lead workshops at the library.
VISITChoir Program: The Choral program at BOYCP began in 2015 under the direction of Mr. Terry Morrow.The Choirs engage in 2 yearly concerts, in addition to numerous performing events within the building and out in the Back of the Yards community. Each December, a Winter Concert takes place, and each Spring, the annual "Taste of Broadway," which is comprised of Choir students and non-choir members of the student body who audition for roles. || Fine Arts Program: "I am the Director of Bands at BOYCP and am in charge of leading all of the instrumental ensembles such as the Beginning Band, Intermediate band, and Advanced Band. Although these are curricular classes the advanced band has performed for other schools, competitions, 5k's etc. I also teach extra curricular ensembles: Drumline, Jazz Ensemble. Although they are still in the beginning stages, we are looking forward to perform as soon as we can. Our school also has a partnership with NEIU where they bring in a a Mariachi teacher who is helping establish a Traditional Mexican Music Ensemble at our school. We just started in the winter of 2019 so we are still getting our feet wet in the music but we are a good group!"
VISITCommunity space offering a variety of activities and events, hosts art workshops and events.
VISITThe #LetUsBreathe Collective is an alliance of artists and activists organizing through a creative lens to imagine a world without prisons and police.
VISITPlant Chicago is a non profit based in BOTY that began in 2011 based in the old firehouse. It's mission is to cultivate local circular economies with no waste. They teach workshops on growing food indoor and outdoor, composting and more. They host programs for small business in the neighborhood, cooking classes, volunteer/ internships and a local farmers market.
VISITThe Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council (BYNC) was founded in 1939 by Joseph Meegan, Saul Alinsky, supporting clergy, business owners, union officials, and residents. BYNC, located at 1751 W. 47th Street in Chicago, is among the oldest not-for-profit community organization in the Unitied States, serving a large area of Chicago’s Southwest Side, which includes the communities of Brighton Park, McKinley Park, and New City. As chronicled in Upton Sinclair’s now famous book, The Jungle, the Back of the Yards area suffered from social disorganization, unemployment, poor housing, and juvenile delinquency. BYNC was created in response to these growing social issues and continues today to organize residents and bring social services and economic resources to the community.
VISIT"We offer cultural arts programming to strengthen the development of Spanish language and children's cultural identity through music, art and literature."
VISITMexican Folkloric Dance. Learn about traditional Mexican Folkloric through dance and history!
VISIT