LaShawn Stewart, a Chicago West Side native, is an author, educator, mentor and consultant whose roots run deep in the vibrant culture of Chicago’s West Side, who was raised by her grandparents and uses her diverse talents to empower others guiding them from their journey to self-discovery and fulfillment.
She recently shared her powerful stories and participated in an open mic at the monthly Westside stories-telling gathering hosted by the Front Porch Arts Center.
“Her poetry, rich in themes of destiny and unity, reflects her commitment to fostering understanding and connection as a passionate advocate for education and personal growth,” Front Porch Arts Center founder Keli Stewart said.
Reflecting on a conversation with Stewart’s grandmother, who suggested that everything needed to know about Black culture could be learned from Stewart’s neighborhood, it became clear there was a lack of documentation about the West Side’s contributions.
“Storytelling is something we have done for thousands of years. Thinking about that first fire being lit and how people would gather at the end of the day to talk about what happened, share their successes, and give testimonies, Westside Stories is very much about mapping those experiences. With its testimony, humor, and drama, anything can be a story at Westside Stories,” Stewart said.
Stewart noted that great storytelling experiences come from the people present and shares that her favorite stories are those about grandparents.
LaShawn begins her story by recounting an impulsive trip she took to Los Angeles to cover the BET Awards with just enough money for a round-trip ticket. If LaShawn’s grandparents had known what happened, they would have been very upset with her. Planning to spend the night at a Starbucks, LaShawn found herself overwhelmed by people seeking help that she could not provide.
When LaShawn arrived at the Starbucks after the award show, she realized that it was not a good idea, as she was not the only one spending the night there. She faced unexpected challenges at this busy Starbucks, where she was overwhelmed by people asking for things she couldn’t afford. Unlike the former Starbucks in Oak Park on Harlem and Lake, where LaShawn felt secure leaving her belongings unattended, this location was chaotic. Despite trying to seek help through prayer, she struggled with the situation and felt vulnerable.
“I tried this at Starbucks, but struggled because I was frequently asked to buy things I couldn’t afford. Then, One Direction arrived with a huge crowd, and security had to close the place. Amid the chaos, I met an old friend who is now a famous actor. Despite my reluctance, he arranged a hotel stay for me. This experience taught me to always travel with sufficient funds.
After the story LaShawn read a few pages of some of the poetry she created from her book “I Never Knew What Time It Was.”
“It’s just a collection of poems, very random. It’s about love, relationships, imaginary connections, infatuation, and activism,” LaShawn said.
Before and after LaShawn spoke, community members that were present had the chance to participate in an open mic.
Owens Shelby, Circuit Judge of the Fourth Municipal District in Maywood, participated in the open-mic and spoke about the importance of community involvement as it played a crucial role in his unexpected journey to law school. Growing up, he never considered a legal career, but his college roommate’s plans inspired him to apply.
“Growing up, I never met any lawyers or thought about law school or anything like that. I happened to be in college when my roommate was thinking about going into law school. So, I decided I would apply to go to law school,” Shelby said.
Initially, he was discouraged by the high cost of law school despite a small scholarship offer. However, his involvement with the Better Boys Foundation, where he maintained friendly relationships with the staff, led to an opportunity as one day, a staff member informed him of a full-tuition scholarship at Chicago-Kent College of Law for African Americans, which he applied for and received.
“I was just so happy. That one phone call got me a scholarship. This shows the Lord works in mysterious ways,” Shelby said.
The Front Porch Arts Center, launched in 2019, aims to bring arts and cultural events to the West Side, a region often overlooked despite its rich narratives. The center was created to celebrate local stories and provide a space for community engagement.
LaShawn went live on YouTube during the event. View the full video here. To stay up to date on the latest events of Front Porch Arts Center, visit their website at https://frontporchartscenter.org/welcome-1
