Upswell 2019
Project H.O.O.D. Focus Group Featured at Upswell Conference
Chicago - On Friday, November 15, 2019, Project H.O.O.D. Executive Director Corey B. Brooks facilitated a focus group entitled, Eliminating Gang Violence, Rehabilitating Communities.
This community engagement group took place at the prestigious Upswell conference held at the Chicago Hilton Hotel.
During his talk, Brooks shared his firsthand experiences and insights about mitigating gang violence in the Woodlawn and Englewood communities.
He described Woodlawn as a historic Chicago neighborhood and its notable residents, such as -
• Michelle Obama
• Joe Louis
• Jesse Owens
• Herbie Hancock
• Hamlin Garland
• Henry J. Schlacks
• James H. Wilkerson, judge of the 1931 Al Capone tax-evasion trial
• Charles Edward Merriam
• Gwendolyn Brooks
• Andrew Karzas, co-founder of the Trianon and Aragon Ballroom
• Robert Conrad
• Sam Greenlee
• Mae Jemison
• Carl Augustus Hansberry, real estate broker and political activist
• Lorraine Hansberry, playwright
• Hugh Hefner, founder and, editor-in-chief of Playboy. Hefner resided at 6052 South Harper Avenue when he produced the first copy of Playboy.
• Minnie Minoso
• Eleanor Twitchell, wife of Lou Gehrig
• Walter Eckersall
• Richard Kiley
Parkway Gardens, next door to Project H.O.O.D., was also noted as the first housing project that blacks cooperatively owned during segregation. This once historic apartment complex has descended in recent years earning the reputation as the most dangerous block in Chicago. Upon its founding, Project H.O.O.D. adopted Parkway Gardens and has developed numerous programs that are available to their residents.
Brooks also described Project H.O.O.D.’s multifaceted approach to solving the ills associated with gun violence. The trauma, isolation, drug abuse, prison rate, and hopelessness are addressed by building trust, gang truces, safe spaces, resources, job training, and corporate partnership.
Project H.O.O.D. is building a state-of-the-art community center to serve even more Chicago residents.
We invite you to explore our website and learn more about our work.
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