We marched for the Americans with Disabilities Act the week of March 10 to March 17, 1990. The cherry blossoms were in full bloom in Washington, DC. We marched with thousands of others, people with disabilities and their supporters–it was an awesome time.
I’d like to see south side youth have access to activities that challenge them and give them a sense of purpose and a place to feel they belong and can have a direction as far as their everyday struggle.
On February 8, 2023, C3EN and West Side United cohosted C3EN’s first town hall at Homan Square. Members of the community, researchers, medical students, and community leaders shared ideas, priorities, and concerns about chronic diseases in their communities in a lively conversation and brainstorming session.
North Lawndale is where I witness beautiful gardens and architecture that could outrival anything my younger self could imagine. It’s also where I witnessed the aftermath of the MLK assassination, young sisters and brothers dressed regally in their Black Panther uniforms, and the shooting of my mother at the age of nine.
My mother, Jacqueline Reed is the founder of Westside Health Authority. She inspired me with the passions of the Civil Rights Movement and the role of activism and community organizing in improving health and wellness for African American populations.