Garfield Boulevard - 79th AveRacine Ave -Stewart Ave
Englewood was annexed to Chicago in 1889 mostly populated by German, Irish, and Scottish railroad and stockyard workers. The neighborhood became a center for the middle class, and became densely populated with apartment buildings, schools, churches and several transportation routes along the neighborhood to downtown via horsecar lines, electric trolleys, and the Elevated line in 1907. By 1922, Englewood became a transportation hub- 2,900 street railways, elevated trains, and suburban trains serviced Englewood daily. It’s shopping center on Halsted and 63rd was the second largest in the city, only behind the Loop; it included a 1.5 million dollar Sears store. By the 1930s, the Great Depression did not make a large impression on its shopping district or neighborhood at large. However, after World War II, real estate value fell due to maintenance restrictions during the war. This coincided with the Great Migration, African Americans moving to Chicago from the South. Divestment from Englewood increased as the property value went down, and redlining practices took place that contributed to “white flight”. By the 1960s the majority of the population was African American, as Englewood became part of the “Black Belt” in Chicago. There were attempts to reinvigorate the shopping centers on Halsted & 63rd; however, construction of the Dan Ryan Expressway and malls such as Ford City steered people away and further drove down the housing market, and left many vacant lots in the neighborhood. Many of the systemic issues, and problems that plagued Englewood took hold of the neighborhood in the late 20th century, and many of its residents left.
Currently, community-led efforts in Englewood have been the most successful in its revitalization, along with the city initiative of selling vacant lots to residents for $1. Community organizations such as “Residents Association of Greater Englewood”(RAGE), and Teamwork Englewood, and many others have put in massive efforts to reinvigorate and engage the community.
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.
VISITEarl's Garden Mae's Kitchen is an educational community garden that provides a host of activities for their community.
VISITCedillo's Fresh Produce is an immigrant run farm based in Englewood leading community training on healthy eating and food growing skills. They also run a community garden that is home to local run events and gatherings.
VISITTina Hammond owns an outside event space/lot called The Promise Land. || "You know we work hard for the things we have we just want our community to have the things that other communities have. That I shouldn't have to go out of my community to see a space where you can sit and just, you know, not even a park, but just a space just to sit. Or an art space or somewhere you can skateboard or ride your bike, we don't see spaces like that in west Englewood" -Tina Hammond
VISITElevated Garden is a space maintained by Getting Grown Collective and owned by an elder who lived on the who passed away earlier in 2020 and his family couldn't afford to keep the lot so they sold it and the community space was lost which is unfortunate because it was a hub for community.
VISITAyodele, a Yoruba word meaning joy in the home, is a sisterhood of women who recognize the guidance of the Creator in our mission to study, heal and express ourselves through African Drum and Dance from a woman’s perspective.
VISITRed Clay Dance is Chicago's premier Afro-contemporary dance company, voted Best Dance Organization by the Chicago Reader in 2019. It’s mission is to awaken “glocal” change through creating, performing and teaching dances of the African Diaspora–change that transforms cultural and socio-economic inequities in our local and global community.
VISITChef Mel is a community garden steward and chef, who leads cooking demos at the Breathing Room garden and Star Farms. These cooking demos serve as a space for story sharing and community building. || "Gentrification makes it almost impossible for people who live here to afford their rent." - Chef Me
VISITMars D Silver is a community performing artist. Mars D. Silver organizes around Black programs and events at The Logan Center and Harold Washington Cultural Center.
VISITRichard Gallion is a performance coach and teacher. Mr. Gallion offers acting classes, writing classes, and directing classes.
VISITCommunity artist who offers diverse programming. Ea offers Inter-generational Arts & Wellness programming (classes, events, workshops) for Social & Emotional development, Dance (performance, choreography therapy), African Drumming (Healing Circles, Community circles/classes, performance), Restorative Theater/ Spoken Word, Yoga, Expressive Art Therapy.
VISITZahra Baker was mentioned in the third workshop as a community storyteller, she is also a performer, recognized for her work as a folk and jazz vocalist, and dramatic actor. She has worked as a drama and vocal music Teaching Artist in several Chicago Public Schools for the past 25 years. She specializes in African American folk arts including Storytelling: folktales, urban tales, original tales. Vocal music including songwriting, arranging and recording, poetry writing and performance, quilting, and collage. Zahra has performed at venues such as the Old Town School of Folk Music Field Trip Series, the Chicago Jazz Festival, the National Association of Black Storytellers Conference and Festival, the Guild Literary Complex, the Chicago Cultural Center, Jonesborough National Storytelling Festival, Rhode Island Black Storytelling Festival, and countless schools, museums, and festivals for the past 25 years.
VISITMohawk Johnson is an artist and rapper born in Englewood who attended one of the many peaceful protests the summer of 2020 and was arrested for assaulting a CPD officer without evidence to support this claim. The hashtag and instagram FREEMOHAWK has been a source of mutual aid support, Chicago specific resource and activist information and updates on Mohawks current house arrest. FREE MOHAWK has organized multiple marches, multi media collaborations and performance livestreams and participated in mutual aid fundraisers throughout the pandemic.
VISITJoVonna Jackson is a mosaic, ceramic muralist, and knitter from Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. Jackson is a member of the Englewood Arts Collective. JoVonna recently completed a residency at Hamilton Park cultural center where ceramic and mosaic workshops held for the community to come and participate. Her goal is to continue this practice for the community to continue to have these outlets.
VISITRob Smooth is a Hip Hop artist, producer, Audio engineer and a member of the Englewood Arts Collective. Rob leads youth based audio production program called MICAPP (Made in Chicago Audio Production Program).
VISITAntoine Butler is the cofounder of Residential Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) He is a lifelong Englewood resident and enjoys sharing his talents and giving back to Englewood whenever and however he can. Although he's not a lawyer, he's worked as a Cook County Court Clerk for the last 22 years and his knowledge of the legal system runs deep. He often volunteers his time with adolescents in the community, passing along advice for how to better navigate the legal system in hopes of giving them a second chance. At R.A.G.E. Butler focuses on youth, education, civic engagement, and economic development. He was also the host of Englewood's Docs & Dialogue, a monthly series where community youth could view “shockumentaries” that focused on culture, hip hop, entertainment, and history. He shares his DJ skills and musical talent for free or at a low cost at a variety of local events. He planned to open a restaurant called Ellies Urban Grill as part of the City of Chicago's 2018 Retail Thrive Zone initiative.
VISITJanelle Nelson is resident and co-founder of JNJ (Janelle and Joe Nelson) Creative (currently on hiatus)— She is a visual consultant, creative project manager and thought-partner, she also provides strategic graphic design solutions for a small number of clients on a rotating basis. Janell works with a myriad of companies and cultivates passion projects that "put a little more good into the world". Projects under her belt span from community events, annual reports, marketing campaigns/adverts, print and digital books, logos, posters, T-shirts (all of the Englewood Arts Collective visuals—including this site), the visuals for Folded Map Project and consultation sessions.
VISITAntoine Butler is the cofounder of Residential Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) He is a lifelong Englewood resident and enjoys sharing his talents and giving back to Englewood whenever and however he can. Although he's not a lawyer, he's worked as a Cook County Court Clerk for the last 22 years and his knowledge of the legal system runs deep. He often volunteers his time with adolescents in the community, passing along advice for how to better navigate the legal system in hopes of giving them a second chance. At R.A.G.E. Butler focuses on youth, education, civic engagement, and economic development. He was also the host of Englewood's Docs & Dialogue, a monthly series where community youth could view “shockumentaries” that focused on culture, hip hop, entertainment, and history. He shares his DJ skills and musical talent for free or at a low cost at a variety of local events. He planned to open a restaurant called Ellies Urban Grill as part of the City of Chicago's 2018 Retail Thrive Zone initiative.
VISITJanelle Nelson is resident and co-founder of JNJ (Janelle and Joe Nelson) Creative (currently on hiatus)— She is a visual consultant, creative project manager and thought-partner, she also provides strategic graphic design solutions for a small number of clients on a rotating basis. Janell works with a myriad of companies and cultivates passion projects that "put a little more good into the world". Projects under her belt span from community events, annual reports, marketing campaigns/adverts, print and digital books, logos, posters, T-shirts (all of the Englewood Arts Collective visuals—including this site), the visuals for Folded Map Project and consultation sessions.
VISITWest Englewood Library hosts a Monthly Teen Poetry Nite, along with a wide array of events and programming for the community.
VISITJohnson College Prep is a school based in Englewood. Johnson offers general and advanced placement art course for our students. As well as numerous student clubs and enrichment opportunities for students to explore culture, self-expression, and different art forms.
VISITSaint Benedict the African Parish is a religious organization and church that is active in the community. The Parish commissions works of visual, musical, and theatrical art that often lead to lessons and performances.
VISITA community center and cultural hub on the Southside dedicated to transforming buildings. Various artistic and communal redevelopment programs and offerings.
VISITImagine Englewood If is an organization that uses teaching, environmental awareness and communication coaching to empower Greater Englewood. They offer youth art classes, summer camps, collect information on healthcare knowledge, and offer lead poisoning education.
VISITCo founded by artist/ educator/ designers Eric Hotchkiss and André Westhelle, Made in Englewood Inc. is an interdisciplinary design studio that creates objects that are culturally-relative and driven by the narratives of the community in which it resides. Their work ranges from functional art works made of wood, metal and alternative materials to design work including 3D modeling and consulting.
VISITThe Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce works by (a)dvising, (d)eveloping and (s)howcasing its established businesses and acting as a comprehensive economic development partner while creating a favorable social environment for chamber members. The Chamber facilitates annual festivals for example that showcase local artists and businesses. According to their Facebook they offer monthly business seminars, virtual business academy and annual festivals to showcase local businesses.
VISITI Grow Chicago uses a grassroots Healing Justice model, individual healing and collective change to offer programs. They work to address the traumatic effects of violence and poverty. Programming focus areas listed on their site includes Mentorship and Support Services, Restorative Justice and Community Building, Yoga and Healing Arts, Urban Farming and Food Access and Creative Arts.
VISITThe Englewood Portal is a digital tool for residents and organizations to tell their own story, to share the latest events and news happening in Greater Englewood. Organizations, Schools, Associations, Government Agency, Clubs and Businesses are also encouraged to share information on the portal. Teamwork Englewoods mission is to improve the quality of life of the residents and stakeholders of Englewood by facilitating economic, educational and social opportunities.
VISITGetting Grown Collective is a community organization collective facilitates urban agriculture and food distribution. Pre-pandemic, Getting Grown Collective hosted health clinics and events to unite black and brown farmers in Chicago.
VISITThe Residential Association of Greater Englewood is a resident-driven association established to build relationships with fellow residents, Englewood’s public officials, business owners and organizations. R.A.G.E. is a grassroots organization that strategizes to address community problems, creates tangible solutions (holistic and block by block) and actively seeks ways to keep fellow residents informed about the latest news in Englewood, Chicago.
VISITA non profit organization that funds projects, programs and exhibitions for dance education and social dance with an emphasis on the history and role of footworking on the south and west side of Chicago. Latest and largest project that was due to premier in 2020: In The Wurkz, produced by The Era Footwork Crew with original music from Chicagos Teklife DJ's is "a touring dance project based on the lives and dreams of dancers on the South and West side of Chicago."
VISITChicago Food Policy Action Council is a 501-c3. The initiative, "Urban Stewards Action Network" is an action-based transformational network of community farmers and partner organizations in the food system. Their activities in particular were mentioned by community members as an active space of programming on the Southside. The network holds a safe space for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) coalition building and redefining power in the Chicago region. USAN is co-facilitated by Nyabweza “Bweza” Itaagi from Grow Greater Englewood and Aasia Mohammad Castañeda from the Chicago Food Policy Action Council (CFPAC).
VISITIn Spring 2019, City Open Workshop began collaborating with Chicago artist Tonika Lewis Johnson to develop the concept for an accessible art and event space in the Englewood Community.
Englewood Community Cultural Planning Council (ECCPC or EC3) is a 501 (c) (3) ENTITY formed for the purpose of promoting/supporting the arts and cultural affairs in Greater Englewood. The Council uses arts-based projects to heighten awareness, address community issues and improve the quality of life in areas of health, jobs and job training, education, the environment, and neighborhood safety and peace.
VISITTIME - 21:36 is a public safety initiative that takes an innovative approach to activate and empower community members to develop solutions that will deter violence and revitalize the community. They use text alerts to activate and engage community members. They offer local information on Job Training, Job Placement (Background Friendly), Expungement Services, Free Legal Services, After School Programming & Sports, Mentoring Services, Food Support, Small Business Support and Women Empowerment.
Kuumba Lynx primarily facilitates storytelling, mutual aid, and performing arts programming in Uptown, Englewood, Little Village, and Austin, however program participants represent over 27 Chicago communities. From Auburn Gresham to Humboldt Park, and from South Shore to Rogers Park, KL’s celebrates its participants global experiences and perspectives. Kumba Lynx current events include a Family Open Mic Night, Birth Education 101, Circle Keeping and Defund thePolice Training.
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