@uicurbanforum
The University of Illinois at Chicago hosts the Urban Forum, a national event designed to advance dialogue about the future of urban communities. Sign up for this year's Urban Forum on April 8th: urbanforum.uic.edu
Did you attend the #2025UICUrbanForum? 🏙️ We want to hear from you! Tell us about your experience and help shape the future of the UIC Urban Forum!
🗳️ Take the survey here: go.uic.edu/2025urbanforum
That's a wrap 🎬 on the #2025UICUrbanForum! Thanks to everyone who was able to join us in-person and to our amazing speakers for sharing your bright ideas with us today. See you next year!
Todd and his colleagues works to change that through employment and training opportunities for residents. 💪🏾
⚡Last but not least - Khelan Todd of the North Lawndale Employment Network!
Todd shared what it feels like to feel invisible - in job interviews, community conversations and more. For 16,000+ people in North Lawndale, feeling invisible is a reality.
Oscar Sanchez of the Southeast Environmental Task Force is next! ⚡
"When it comes to institutions, we are always extracted from."
Sanchez shared how researchers often come into communities to research, but don't commit to giving data back to create real solutions.
⚡Continuing with Kate Eakin from McKinley Park Developmental Council!
"We create opportunities for our neighbors to engage... We help people understand what to bring to meetings so they can be a part of the process."
Community voice must be at the core of decision-making.
#2025UICUrbanForum
⚡Lightning Talk #3: Melissa Chrusfield of the PCC Community Wellness Center.
Chrusfield shared how PCC serves community members by listening first. "It's a subtle shift, but it's a quality one"
DYK: PCC has the first free-standing birth center in Illinois, providing safe labor experiences!
Next Up: UIC's very own Kate Albrecht! ⚡
Albrecht spoke on her current work: mapping Chicago's health networks for better collaboration and sustainability.
"The first step to human-centered design is empathy...one of the main things is understanding the community"
Public Equity's own Tony Woods!
Woods' lightning talk ⚡ explored how PE advocates for public health and equitable resource distribution.
They also provide comprehensive violence prevention services through their broad network of partners.
"We work in-sync to meet people where they are"
Each presenter will speak on a topic of their choosing - lightning style! ⚡ #2025UICUrbanForum
Thanks to Keith Lewis, Sr. Director of Community Collaboration at UIC for kicking off this great group!
Lighting Talk Time! We're joined by:
⚡Kate Albrecht, UIC
⚡Melissa Chrusfield, PCC Community Wellness Center
⚡Kate Eakin, McKinley Park Development Council
⚡Oscar Sanchez, SE Environmental Task Force
⚡Khelan Todd, North Lawndale Employment Network
⚡Tony Woods, Public Equity
"When all our people are good for is a study, that becomes problematic."
Alonzo Waheed tells the audience how traditional research will extract from BIPOC communities, without actually providing a solution.
"I think it's time we get some solutions" 💪🏾
"Even when it wasn't criminalized, it was okay. But the moment it became our industry, it becomes criminalized"
Alonso Waheed of Equity and Transformation Chicago starts the panel off talking about the informal economy, citing hair braiding, drumming buckets and those selling food on the street.
Keeping the good vibes going with Panel 2️⃣! We're joined by a group of experts to discuss how long-term university-community research partnerships create mutual learning and trust.
🌇Pablo Alvarado, Nat'l Day Laborer Organizing Network
🌇Nik Theodore, UIC
🌇Alonzo, Waheed, Equity and Transformation
"There is no way to escape the reality that we are in the midst of the greatest crisis in higher education," says keynote speaker Juan González, citing that university students, staff, parents and administrators must band together to defend our democratic education system. 🤝
#2025UICUrbanForum
González shares how universities can be partners with their communities, rather than perpetuate threats of expansion and erasure.
He notes that higher education today can do more to not only work with the community, but protect them against harm and tyranny. 📚
#2025UICUrbanForum
Welcome to the #2025UICUrbanForum Juan González!
González is a senior research fellow at the Great Cities Institute and co-host of @democracynow.org. Today he joins us as our keynote speaker!
"Between 1950 and 2024, Chicago lost 600,000 manufacturing jobs" - Teresa Córdova.
The impact? ➡️ High youth joblessness rates, disproportionately affecting BIPOC youth.
The need? ➡️ Workforce development programs, strong partnerships with local schools/orgs and wage equity.
#2025UICUrbanForum
Adding community members to a research team = more hyperlocal researchers on the team.
Philip Nyden and Win Wiewel share why community perspectives must be at the center of research strategies during our first panel. 📈
#2025UICUrbanForum
Panel time! Reflecting on the commitment to build great cities with:
🎤 Teresa Córdova, Great Cities Institute
🏙️ Philip Nyden, Loyola University, CURL
🏙️ Wim Wiewel, Higher ed leader
The panel is diving deep into topics like infrastructure, zoning and gentrification.
Starting the day off right with welcome remarks from Joe Hoereth, UIC Inst. for Policy and Civic Engagement Director and Chancellor Miranda!
Welcome to the #2025UICUrbanForum!
We're about to get started at the #UICUrbanForum! Follow along here today for live updates! 🚨
Less than a week until #UICUrbanForum2025! 🌿 Join us Tuesday, April 8 (11:30-4) at the UIC Student Center East for Lightning Talks with our speakers about the future of our urban communities.
🌆 Hear from Kate Eakin, Oscar Sanchez, and more.
Tickets: urbanforum.uic.edu
Don’t forget to sign up for the #UICUrbanForum2025!
Our incredible speakers will discuss policy, urbanism, transportation, equity, and more, engaging in dialogue about how we can enhance our cities.
Register for free today: urbanforum.uic.edu
📍750 S. Halsted St.
🗓 April 8, 11:30 - 4 pm
We're delighted to welcome Melissa Chrusfield to the #UICUrbanForum2025! 🌿 Director of Communication & Engagement at PCC Wellness and a Community Advisory Committee member for West Side United, she’s a passionate advocate for her community.
Join us 4/8: urbanforum.uic.edu.
UIC professor Nik Theodore has dedicated his career to understanding the processes and effects of urbanization.
With unique insights on urban governance, economic informality, and social inequality, we can’t wait to hear from him at the #UICUrbanForum2025. 🌇
Join us 4/8: urbanforum.uic.edu.
On 4/8, Alonzo Waheed will join us to speak at the #UICUrbanForum2025! 🌳 As Program Director at E.A.T., Alonzo is committed to uplifting communities through faith, service, and advocacy.
We look forward to hearing his insights on building thriving urban communities. Register: urbanforum.uic.edu.
Thrilled to have Dr. Phil Nyden, professor emeritus and Founding Director of Loyola’s Center for Urban Research & Learning, at #UICUrbanForum2025! 🏙️ A leader in university-community research, he explores what makes diverse communities thrive.
Join 4/8: urbanforum.uic.edu.
We're excited to welcome Khelan Todd, Chief Impact & Innovation Officer at the North Lawndale Employment Network, to the #UICUrbanForum2025! 🌇
Founder of the Black Male Enterprise, he focuses on driving economic mobility and investing in underserved communities.
Join us 4/8: urbanforum.uic.edu.
We're delighted that Teresa Córdova, Director of the Great Cities Institute, will join us on 4/8 at the #UICUrbanForum2025 🏙️
We look forward to hearing her thoughts on strengthening community engagement to drive economic development 🌿
Learn more:
urbanforum.uic.edu