The ninth annual North Lawndale Arts Festival brought live music, local art and community spirit to Douglass Park Aug.2, celebrating the neighborhood’s culture and commitment to equity.
The festival is hosted by North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) and North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council (NLCCC), with support from the Steans Family Foundation. The park is located at 1401 S. Sacramento Dr., Chicago.
As part of the celebration, NLEN honored four community leaders with awards:
- Wade Jordan of Morton Records received the Dr. Michael A. McAfee Voice of the Voiceless Award.
- Nityananda Bell, NLEN program graduate and CTA manager, and Clarence Little, NLEN program graduate and local entrepreneur, were recognized with the Sarah Bernstein Creating a Community that Works Award.
- Jose Wilson, NLEN employee and head of workforce training and reentry programs, received the Outstanding Servant Leader Award.
Brenda Palms, president and CEO of NLEN, highlighted the organization’s commitment to honoring leaders whose work embodies the innovation, resilience, and love that define the North Lawndale community.
“Each of our honorees represents a powerful commitment to North Lawndale, whether through mentoring youth, creating safe community spaces, advancing policy, or building pathways to employment and healing,” she said. “Some have extended their leadership far beyond our neighborhood, shaping movements, ideas and collaborations with global reach.”
Sheila McNary, the head organizer for the North Lawndale Arts Festival, said:
“The goal was for us to come together as two community groups and unite other organizations in the neighborhood. I also appreciate that (Palms) is honoring some of the individuals she has served.”
McNary said that the event highlights visual, performing and culinary artists, providing a platform that uplifts local talent. It also gives community vendors, many of whom are often overlooked, an opportunity to showcase their work.
“I love the fact that we are such a culturally rich community, and people see that by attending the arts festival. They’ve seen it every year, and it keeps getting better. That’s what I love, and it’s sparked a lot of interest in the community since we started organizing the festival,” McNary said.
She added, “I also believe art can drive economic development, and I’ve seen that firsthand since I’ve been living here since 2001.”
Gregory Foster, an artist, has been working on a series with Ebony and Jet magazines for the past two and a half years. His involvement at the festival reflects his ongoing commitment to uplifting Black stories and culture.
One piece features boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and his son, autographed by Leonard himself. Foster intentionally leaves out facial features to let Black viewers imagine themselves in the scene.
“I don’t put the faces on there because I want Black people to imagine themselves within the image. I’m not a father myself, but I aspire to be one someday. So to have that image of being a strong father, it’s everything,” Foster said.
Another one of Foster’s pieces is from Schoolhouse Rock.
“I feel like everyone has rights and bills, but Black people often get left behind in many of them. Even with bills passing and efforts to teach how to pass them, it feels like the ball gets dropped on us,” Foster said.
Trinity Deer is a self-taught crocheter who started crafting during the 2020 pandemic. She creates and sells a variety of handmade items, including sunflowers, roses, hats, and car hangers. This is her second year participating in the festival, where she shares her passion and growing business with the community.
“Everyone really likes my crochet items and always encourages me to keep going with it,” Deer said.
