CWCRC - ACTIVATE THE 77 WEBSITE 2

activate the 77

From the desk of La Kisha Latham

Dear Colleagues and Community Members,

I am writing to express the critical importance of our "Activate the 77" project, an initiative of the Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission (CWCRC) that aims to engage all 77 communities in Chicago in the reparations process.

The "Activate the 77" project is not just another community outreach program; it is a transformative endeavor that seeks to give voice to every corner of our diverse city. By appointing 9 Regional Commissioners and 77 Community Commissioners, we are creating a comprehensive network that will gather data, feedback, and insights from every neighborhood in Chicago. This grassroots approach ensures that the unique perspectives and needs of each community are heard and considered as we shape our city's approach to reparations.

The importance of this project cannot be overstated. For too long, discussions about reparations have happened at a high level, often missing the nuanced experiences and needs of individual communities. "Activate the 77" changes that paradigm. It brings the conversation directly to our neighborhoods, engaging residents in a meaningful dialogue about how reparations can address historical injustices and create a more equitable future for all Chicagoans.

Moreover, by implementing a structured reporting system - with monthly reports from Community Commissioners, quarterly syntheses from Regional Commissioners, and regular updates to the City of Chicago - we are creating a sustainable mechanism for ongoing community input. This will not only inform our current reparations efforts but will also provide valuable insights for future policy decisions and community initiatives.

The "Activate the 77" project is more than just a data collection effort. It's about building a network of engaged community leaders, fostering cross-community collaboration, and creating a model for community-driven reparations that could inspire similar efforts across the nation.

I urge all of you to support and engage with this crucial initiative. Whether you're a community leader, a concerned citizen, or a policymaker, your participation and input are vital to the success of "Activate the 77" and, by extension, to the future of equitable development in Chicago.

Together, we can ensure that every voice is heard, every perspective is considered, and every community plays a role in shaping a more just and equitable Chicago for all.

Sincerely,

La Kisha Latham

Secretary Treasurer

Activate the 77

Communities

The Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission (CWCRC) is a pioneering organization dedicated to advancing the cause of reparations in Chicago. One of its flagship initiatives is the "Activate the 77" project, which aims to engage all 77 communities in Chicago in the reparations process.

Executive Summary

The Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission (CWCRC) is launching "Activate the 77," an ambitious initiative designed to engage all 77 communities in Chicago in the reparations process. This comprehensive project aims to gather data, feedback, and insights from every corner of the city to inform and shape Chicago's approach to reparations. By activating grassroots participation across the entire city, the CWCRC seeks to ensure that the voices of all communities are heard and considered in this critical process.

The project's structure is built on a two-tiered system of community representation. At the top level, 9 Regional Commissioners will be appointed, each overseeing one of Chicago's regional territories. At the local level, 77 Community Commissioners will be selected, one for each of Chicago's community areas. These commissioners will serve as local liaisons, gathering data and feedback at the neighborhood level.

Community Commissioners will submit monthly reports detailing their engagement activities, key issues, and local perspectives on reparations. Regional Commissioners will compile quarterly reports synthesizing data and providing recommendations based on community feedback.

A crucial addition to this reporting structure is the implementation of quarterly reporting to the City of Chicago. The CWCRC will compile comprehensive reports summarizing the findings, trends, and recommendations from all regions. These reports will be submitted to relevant city departments i.e. the Office of Equity and Racial Justice and officials (more specifically the Black Caucus), ensuring that the community's voice is directly communicated to decision-makers. This regular reporting to the city will help inform policy decisions, resource allocation, and the development of reparations initiatives at the municipal level.

The project's key objectives include ensuring comprehensive representation of all Chicago communities, gathering granular data to inform targeted initiatives, building a network of engaged community leaders, and creating a sustainable structure for ongoing community input. The quarterly reports to the city will play a vital role in translating community input into actionable policy recommendations.

Through this inclusive and comprehensive approach, including direct reporting to the City of Chicago, the CWCRC aims to develop a truly representative reparations strategy that addresses the unique needs and perspectives of each community in Chicago. This model of community-driven reparations, with a direct line of communication to city officials, could potentially inform similar efforts in other cities across the nation.

Activate the 77 Communities

This list represents the diverse neighborhoods that make up the city of Chicago, each with its unique character and community identity.

Communities

1. Albany Park

2. Archer Heights

3. Ashburn

4. Auburn Gresham

5. Austin

6. Back of the Yards

7. Belmont Cragin

8. Beverly

9. Bridgeport

10. Brighton Park

11. Burnside

12. Calumet Heights

13. Chatham

14. Chicago Lawn

15. Chinatown

16. Clearing

17. Douglas

18. Dunning

19. East Garfield Park

20. East Side

21. Edgewater

22. Edison Park

23. Englewood

24. Forest Glen

25. Fuller Park

26. Galewood

27. Garfield Ridge

28. Grand Boulevard

29. Greater Grand Crossing

30. Gresham

31. Hermosa

32. Hyde Park

33. Irving Park

34. Jefferson Park

35. Kenwood

36. Lake View

37. Lincoln Park

38. Lincoln Square

39. Little Italy

40. Little Village (La Villita)

41. Logan Square

42. Loop (Chicago Loop)

43. Near North Side

44. Near South Side

45. Near West Side

46. New City

47. North Center

48. North Lawndale

49. O'Hare

50. Oakland

51. Portage Park

52. Pullman

53. Riverdale

54. Rogers Park

55. Roseland

56. South Chicago

57. South Deering

58. South Shore

59. Streeterville

60. The Loop

61. Washington Heights

62. Washington Park

63. West Elsdon

64. West Englewood

65. West Garfield Park

66. West Lawn

67. West Pullman

68. West Ridge

69. Woodlawn

Citations:

[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/23198909/9b41078b-bd5b-4d10-a424-f66a535443ef/Shami-Bio.pdf

Delegating the

REGION	COMMUNITITES	WARD	BLACK POPULATION
North	Albany Park, Edgewater, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Uptown, Lincoln Square	32, 40, 46
NorthEast	Edison Park, Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, Dunning	41
West Side	Austin, West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, South Lawndale	24, 28
SouthWest Side	Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Brighton Park, Clearing, West Elsdon	14, 15
South Side	Chatham, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Roseland, South Chicago, South Shore	6, 7
Central	Loop (Chicago Loop), Near North Side, Near South Side, Near West Side	25
Far South Side	Burnside, Calumet Heights, Pullman, Washington Heights, West Pullman	9
Far NorthWest Side	Belmont Cragin, Galewood, Hermosa	30
South Central	Bridgeport, Back of the Yards, Little Village (La Villita), Garfield Ridge	11

Our primary focus is to group the 77 communities into 9 regions for the purpose of gathering reparations data in Chicago, IL.

We are able to convene people within the same communities for education, data collection, storytelling, and feedback in a pragmatic and efficient way.

Communities

RegionCommunitiesNorth SideAlbany Park, Edgewater, Lincoln Park, Lake View, Rogers Park, Uptown, Lincoln SquareNortheast SideEdison Park, Jefferson Park, Forest Glen, DunningWest SideAustin, West Garfield Park, East Garfield Park, North Lawndale, South LawndaleSouthwest SideAshburn, Auburn Gresham, Chicago Lawn, Brighton Park, Clearing, West ElsdonSouth SideChatham, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, Roseland, South Chicago, South ShoreCentralLoop (Chicago Loop), Near North Side, Near South Side, Near West SideFar South SideBurnside, Calumet Heights, Pullman, Washington Heights, West PullmanFar Northwest SideBelmont Cragin, Galewood, HermosaSouthwest SuburbsBridgeport, Back of the Yards, Little Village (La Villita), Garfield Ridge

Project Manager

Simyra Campbell

Biography

Simyra Campbell is a dynamic leader dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a project manager for the Conrad Worrill Community Reparations Commission (CWCRC), she passionately advocates for reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans and prisoners of war, while also championing mental health awareness and youth empowerment.

Driven by her motto, "Embrace different cultures without losing your own," Simyra works tirelessly to create inclusive communities and expand opportunities for underrepresented groups. Her commitment to fostering open dialogue led her to establish "Let's Talk About It," a platform that encourages community members to engage in meaningful conversations about important issues.

Recognizing the power of mentorship and goal-setting, Simyra founded a Vision Board Workshop that connects young people with professionals, helping them visualize and work towards their aspirations. Through this initiative, she empowers youth to dream big and provides them with the tools and support to turn those dreams into reality.

Simyra's multifaceted approach to community building and social justice demonstrates her unwavering dedication to creating a more equitable society. Her work continues to inspire and uplift those around her, making a lasting impact on individuals and communities alike.

Regional Commissioners

The Regional Commissioners in the Activate the 77 project serve as pivotal figures, overseeing and coordinating reparations efforts across multiple communities within their designated regions of Chicago. Their role is multifaceted, combining leadership, analysis, and strategic planning to ensure the effective implementation of the project's goals.

At the core of their responsibilities is the task of synthesizing and analyzing the data collected by the Community Commissioners within their region. They compile comprehensive quarterly reports that highlight regional trends, patterns, and key issues identified across their communities. These reports include recommendations for reparations initiatives based on the aggregated community feedback, providing a crucial link between grassroots input and policy formulation.

Community Commissioners

The community commissioners for the Activate the 77 project play a crucial role in engaging their respective communities and gathering vital information for the reparations process. Their duties encompass a wide range of responsibilities aimed at fostering community involvement and ensuring that local voices are heard.

First and foremost, community commissioners are responsible for organizing and conducting regular community meetings, forums, and events to engage residents in discussions about reparations. They gather both quantitative and qualitative data on community needs, perspectives on reparations, and local issues through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Acting as a bridge between their community and the regional commissioners, they ensure that local voices are represented in the broader reparations dialogue.

ORGANIZE

COMMUNITY MEMBER

ENGAGE

EDUCATE

COLLABORATE

Measuring Our

To measure the success of the Activate the 77 project, we will implement the below comprehensive evaluation framework that tracks key performance indicators across multiple dimensions.

HOW ARE WE DOING?

These metrics will include quantitative measures such as the number of community events held, participation rates at these events, and the percentage of commissioners submitting timely reports. We will also assess qualitative factors like community satisfaction with the engagement process and the quality of policy recommendations generated. The project's reach will be gauged by tracking the percentage of Chicago residents aware of the initiative, while its impact will be measured through the number of actionable policy recommendations implemented by the city. Regular surveys and feedback sessions will help evaluate the effectiveness of our community engagement strategies. Additionally, we will monitor the project's operational efficiency by tracking budget adherence and timeline compliance. By consistently analyzing these metrics, we can ensure that the Activate the 77 project is meeting its goals of comprehensive community engagement, effective data collection, and meaningful contribution to Chicago's reparations policy development.

Success

312-702-1730

info@cwcrc.org

ChicagoReparations.org