Conversations With The Citizen

During October, National Domestic Violence Awareness Month is recognized across the country including in Chicago at the Metropolitan Family Services Calumet Center, 235 East 103rd Street, in Roseland. The Calumet Center offers Domestic Violence Clinical Services all year long for south side residents along with a variety of overlapping services at no cost to the client.

In 2016, AJ Patton left his job to create 548 Capital, LLC and to focus on creating solar-powered affordable housing on the south and west sides of Chicago. Since then, Patton has built a network of local partners who are working to bring his vision to life. Through 548 Capital, LLC, Patton recently created the Solar Chicago Fund and began construction on their first sustainable housing site in Auburn Gresham.

Project SYNCERE, a local nonprofit focusing on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning for youth, will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary since being founded by three African American engineers in 2009. Project SYNCERE will commemorate its 10th anniversary by hosting the inaugural Power of Ten gala on Oct. 10.

The Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) recently resubmitted its Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability Ordinance to Chicago’s city council with Alderman Roderick Sawyer as a sponsor. The ordinance aims to create an elected community commission to hold the Chicago Police Department accountable for implementing policies that will rebuild trust between the community and the police.

Target Area Development Corporation (Target Area) is a grassroots social justice organization working in Chicago to assist south side communities to build the strength and capacity they need to solve their greatest problems. The organization uses street outreach to address criminal justice reform, prevent violence, and supporting residents as they return from incarceration.

KUFI CLUB OF CHICAGO OFFERS AFRICAN-CENTERED EDUCATION FOR SOUTH SIDE YOUTH The Kufi Club of Chicago is a non-profit organization that addresses the cultural, career, academic, and social needs of at-risk African American youth who live in Chicago’s Roseland neighborhood. Throughout the summer, the organization has been providing a safe space for young people to learn about their African heritage while also empowering them to become change-makers in their community.

Larry Huggins of the Chicago Football Classic discuss the upcoming Football Classic Game Day Event. The Chicago Football Classic will be held at Solider Field, Saturday, September 14, 2019. Hampton vs. Howard.

CANDIDATE FOR ILLINOIS SUPREME COURT HOPES TO BE SECOND BLACK JUDGE ELECTED TO SERVE Appellate Court Justice Nathaniel Howse Jr. is running for election to the Illinois Supreme Court as one of three 1st District judges. Howse is running for a seat that was vacated by the retirement of Justice Charles E. Freeman.

“Communities Partnering for Peace is a collaborative made up of nine organizations including Metropolitan Family Services. Our goal is to reduce violence in Chicago,” said Vaughn Bryant, executive director of Communities Partnering For Peace.

In April of 1982, 34-year-old Ezekiel Taylor tragically lost his life when three young men stole his car as he stopped at a fast-food restaurant on 79th Street and Stony Island Avenue after church one day. Decades later, his daughter Tenisha Taylor founded the Ezekiel Taylor Scholarship Foundation to honor his memory.