On Sept. 20, locals, organizations and elected officials gathered on Chicago Avenue to run through the Soul City Corridor for the tenth annual Austin POWER 5K race.
Mayor Brandon Johnson, dignitarie and community members at the start/finish line of the Austin POWER 5K Run/Walk on Saturday September 20, 2025 | Todd Bannor 
Runners, including Ira Acree, the lead pastor at Greater St. John Bible Church in Austin, begin the Austin POWER 5K Run/Walk | Todd Bannor 
Mayor Brandon Johnson with State Representative Camille Lilly at the Austin POWER 5K Run/Walk | Todd Bannor 
State Representative La Shawn Ford with community members | Todd Bannor 
Malcolm Crawford, executive director of the Austin African American Business Networking Association, accepts a check from Lake & Cicero Ice House Liquors at the opening ceremony of the 2025 Austin POWER 5K Run/Walk | Todd Bannor 
28th Ward Alderman Jason Ervin and 29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro at the opening ceremony of the Austin POWER 5K Run/Walk | Todd Bannor 
Chicago Treasurer Melissa Conyears-Ervin and 29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro | Todd Bannor
A decade ago, the 15th District Chicago Police Department and Austin African American Business Networking Association created the race acronym for People Organizing Wealth and Economic Resources. The 5K is designed to promote health and unity in Austin and prevent crime and violence.
The Austin POWER 5K is for all fitness levels. This year’s theme was family reunion, encouraging past participants and volunteers to join new ones in an event to empower the West Side neighborhood.
