Property of Englewood - Only the Strong Survives!

Now don't think I forgot about my precious blog and the folks who actually read it....There are so many initiatives, efforts, collaborations, projects, etc., happening in my beloved neighborhood, I don't know if I am going or coming sometimes...February and March has been filled with great things to report, but when you are in the thick of the action, its hard to stop and write it all up...I may have to start doing a few videos to report quickly about the good things happening in Englewood.....

As I shared in my previous post, there is such a focus on Englewood and just some great momentum around transforming the community to truly make it a Greater Englewood...Ok where do I want to start???

These past few weeks have been occupied with powerful energy, great people, idea exchanges, productive conversations filled with laughter and it’s all wrapped around HOPE & TRANSFORMATION!! Being able to think out the box to explore all these possibilities is invigorating! Since its been a while, since my last post, let me categorize all the progress that is being made...

On the Education Front

Latesha Dickerson and myself at the
Englewood Parent Empowerment Summit in January

Even with all the changes happening at CPS, the Englewood Community Action Council is still in tact and mobilizing resources and people  to help steer with the Educational Strategic Plan into ACTION...Which you all know is where I get super excited...I love the action part! We have hosted over 20 parent workshops all throughout Englewood and recently hosted a beautiful breakfast meeting catered by the students of Harper Culinary program! Oh yes Harper has a full kitchen and cafe with young chefs holding it down!! What a great experience spearheaded by my fearless co-leader Tesha Dickerson...We are oh so ready to implement many of the goals set forth in this plan so stay tuned to more great news happening this year! Here is a video where I am talking more about the work of the Englewood CAC on Ald. Pat Dowell show...


R.A.G.E News!
R.A.G.E. is moving and shaking as always and learning we are a FORCE to be reckoned with....We've been busy connecting with new residents, recruiting more members, building relationships with various elected officials, at the forefront of the Green Healthy Neighborhood Project and much more!

Photo Courtesy of LISC

R.A.G.E. Student Club Performing at
Wentworth Elementary Fade the Black History Program in February

One our youngest student club member

R.A.G.E. Student Club Members

One of our successes this year was the launch of our student club at Wentworth Elementary....This has been a great experience connecting and partnering with this school...Our goal with these students is to produce junior R.A.G.E. members who will exemplify leadership, team-building and strong character skills. These students are witty, creative and just a joy to work with...and yes R.A.G.E. makes this happens with our own resources...We even had the opportunity to plan and host Wentworth's "Fade to Black History" program which featured a Revolutionary fashion show, spoken word, and a dynamic performance from the student club, see photo above!! I am loving every bit of this experience and can't wait until Track E vacation is over so we can start back with more fun-filled activities!!

Englewood was also fortunate to have the street where Wentworth is located (69th & Sangamon) named after the comedian and Englewood native, Bernie Mac...What a proud day to be Englewoodian....If that's even a word...LOL!

Photo courtesy of Ernest Sanders GAGDC
from the Englewood Portal

Greater Englewood CDC
Another success which was an outgrowth from R.A.G.E. Economic Development Work group is the newly created Greater Englewood CDC....This CDC will be the catalyst for economic development...I know what you are thinking...Another organization?? Yes and I am proud to be one of the founding members...Through this process I am learning and understanding so much more about community development, land use, housing, economic strategies, workforce development, etc...Now things are really starting to cook! Stay tuned for more!!

In other Englewood News
There seems to a be a lot of talk of collaboration, alliances, coalitions or just a more strategic attempt in general to connect with one another with the goal to transform Englewood for the better...Which is a good thing, I just hope its not driven by funders or other hidden agendas...Many of these initiatives are focused on the elements of violence  and safety in the neighborhood...Now, don't get me wrong, I hear the stories and know that violence is definitely a hot topic in the news these days...It's sensationalized, sparks fear and will always spark an RE-ACTION from people...Folks are just getting fed up and frankly tired of trying to do this work alone in silos...This includes the Mayor's Office, Social Agencies, Churches, police, schools, residents, etc...

Then to couple that with the national news of Trayvon Martin and a recent shooting of an Rekia Boyd...Folks are on edge and have R.A.G.E. for real!! But honestly, the revolution I am seeing is more of a virtual revolution...Social Media sites are the main platforms for expression, photos, campaigns, petitions, etc...Now, its not that I do not have an opinion about these unfortunate events, but I just can't be consumed in it...The injustices will make me angry and a sense of hopelessness will soon follow...So I choose to focus on the things that EMPOWER me, CHALLENGES me to be better and ENLIGHTENS me...These things keep my spirits high, soul smiling and motivated to reach new heights!  We must be careful of the things we let consume our hearts and minds!

So to conclude, I will like to share a few upcoming Englewood events happening in the next few days...

Green Healthy Neighborhood Recap Session - Saturday, March 31st - 9am-12pm
University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration 969 E. 60th St.
This meeting will be in collaboration with the 3rd Annual Woodlawn Summit, where CMAP will host a break out session on the current status of the GHN Plan.


Englewood Town Hall Meeting - Saturday, March 31st - 11am-2pm
Imagine Englewood If - 730 W. 69th St.
Youth, community leaders, pastors, state and local officials, as well as residents are urged to create an Action Plan to combat neighborhood violence.

Englewood Community Action Council - Thursday, April 5th - 6pm-8pm
Location: TBD
Open to all Englewood Parents, Community Leaders, Educators or Students who is concerned about the education & schools in the community. Email contact Brenda Bell at 773-553-1538 or bjbell1@cps.k12.il.us

You can also check out R.A.G.E. calendar for upcoming events here: www.ragenglewood.org/events

I thinks that's all I have for now, hope you enjoyed reading the post! Until next time, stay encouraged because we must continue to BUILD then BUILD AGAIN in order to TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life we truly desire.....

The Real World of Englewood - The Reality Show!!

Let me first apologize to the followers of this blog...I have not abandon you! Its been since May since my last post which in my book is unacceptable! Honestly, since the launch of RAGE, concluding the 2nd cycle of Media-N-Motion, and all the other stuff I have on my plate...My time to stop, reflect, then write has been limited...But today, I was determined when I got up, made me some tea, grab my laptop, and headed to the porch to listen to the birds chirmping, and embracing the peaceful calm air! I am now ready to write....
Don't get me wrong, although I have not written about Englewood, there has been an awful lot said and reported about my beloved neighborhood...So much so, I think it may be time to enlist MTV or Bravo and get our own reality show!! 

It could be the "Real World of Englewood" or "Made in Englewood"...You get my drift...That way you would see the whole side of Englewood from the people who live here vs. outsider who come do a story then head back to Highland Park or some other burbs...I think a reality show will be perfect because I don't think people would believe some of the things I witness here...The Good, the Bad or the Ugly! 

For example, there was a horrible article about Englewood that of course made the front page of the Tribune a few weeks ago...I think the subtitle of the article read, "Housing crisis was final nail in the coffin of once-promising recovery"....This article sent another ray of hopelessness amongst residents who live here....What's ironic about this piece is the fact that RAGE met these reporters and gave them a wide range of stories filled with POSITIVITY...During their "research" of the neighborhood the reporters attended one of RAGE Economic Development meetings....

There they met a lawyer/real estate developer who grew up in Englewood, moved out but decided to bring his practice back to the neighborhood...He owns several properties in the neighborhood and even organized a "clean the block" campaign whereas the business owners on the block contributed garbage cans to several locations on Racine from Garfield to about 57th street..This would have been a great story to share or even an episode in the new reality show! But we all know the media, they whether focus on the NEGATIVE, the vacant buildings, crime, etc. Which is why I choose to capture the Beauty of Greater Englewood....Like this garden located on 55th & Marshfield...

Beautiful garden at 55th & Marshfield courtesy of A. Butler

Photo Courtesy of Tribune

Another great story that the Tribune failed to capture is the story about the Kusanya Cafe...One of RAGE members have been working on this project for a few years now and is closer than ever to cutting that ribbon to launch the grand opening!  Residents are backing this project because we would love a gathering space in a neighborhood that has no cafe outside of a Dunkin Donuts...Following this story could be another great episode for the "Real World of Englewood" reality show...Or at least a mention in the Tribune...Good thing it was mention in Streetwise earlir this year.

Then there's the other RAGE member who owns the Perry Mansion Cultural Center at 7042 S. Perry...One of the only privately owned cultural centers in our neighborhood...If you have not already seen this beautiful site you should definitely drive by and see it...There is art, culture and true residents and stakeholders with a love of PEACE that rarely is talked about...

Perry Mansion Cultural Center Courtesy of A. Butler

There is pure beauty here in Englewood that no one writes about, but that will soon change as RAGE members become our very own community reporters that will focus on the arts, peace and positivity!!

Speaking of which....Make sure you SAVE THE DATE - September 10th for the Englewood Arts Festival at Hamilton Park Cultural Center located 513 W. 72nd St....

We are calling all artists to be a part of this GRAND event!! For more info, contact the Planning Coordinator at 773.924.3505.

Now, in the world of RAGE, things are still progressing very smoothly!  We recently had a fun Father's Day Celebration in one of the vacant parking lots here in Englewood...We fed the community, provided music and had just a fun-filled time for anyone who came around 74th & Racine...

Because we had such a successful event, we decided that RAGE will do a "Takin it to Da Streets" event every month this summer...Our next "Takin it to the Streets" event will be July 23rd at the West Englewood Library...Also, if you are interested in hearing about our other projects and initiatives join our monthly meeting Tuesday, July 19th at the 7th District Community Room 1438 W. 63rd St.

RAGE Father's Day Event Courtesy of Rashanah Baldwin

Here are a few of things RAGE is involved in throughout the community...

• RAGE members are team teaching a youth web/writing summer program for After School Matters
• Taught a writing class for youth at Safety Network and publish a newsletter
• Participated in the 100 Black Positive Men program at Wentworth Elementary School
• Serves on the Black Star Community PTA, whom recently met with Jean Claude Brizard, CEO of CPS to discuss tactics for parental engagement
• Serves on the Englewood Community Action Council of CPS to develop a strategic educational plan for the neighborhood
• Presented to 25 young black males of the Adler/Teamwork African American Male Initiative summer program
• Partnered with Black Wall Street to support a youth summer program that are developing young leaders how to be community activists
• Assisted with the Online Townhall Meeting at KKC with Mayor Rahm Emanuel
• Serves as advisory council member of the Englewood Neighborhood Recovery Initiative
• Serve as partners with the Englewood Back to School Parade scheduled for August 27th
• Donated funds to assist in the development of a primary school in Ghana, Africa
• Working on a comprehensive plan for economic stability in Greater Englewood

These are only a few of the accomplishments or projects that RAGE is associated with....The uniqueness of RAGE is the fact that this is an association of professional residents and stakeholders who are committed to the reinvestment of our neighborhood...We are also working together to FORCE CHANGE in a neighborhood often targeted as a hopeless dumping ground...

Some people say what's does RAGE really do??  Well, we as you can see we do a lot...You just need to keep up with us and get involved...If you are a resident who wants to get involved call us anytime at 866-845-1032!!

Honestly, RAGE could be its own reality show...Real World of RAGE!  However, with so many Non-For-Profits agenices robbing the community, churches who do not give back, businesses who $$ leave our community in less than hour, various projects and campaigns from outsiders who are trying to capitalize will make for a hliarious, yet interesting show...One thing for sure is that there is so much to cover besides foreclosed homes and vacant lots...All we need is a camera crew, a cast and then you will see the REAL WORLD IN ENGLEWOOD IN ACTION! 

Stay tuned, because I may just need to produce this product...You never know what the future will bring...right??

I think that's all I will discuss for now...As many of you know I will be off to Ghana, July 27th so please keep me in your prayers and wish me safe travels! I will be gone for about 14 days...So my next post will probably be all about my wonderful experience...Stay tuned & as always TAKE ACTION to CREATE the life you truly desire...That is exactly how I am living and loving every bit of it...PEACE!!