In 2013, communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago fought the largest school closures in history. In 2018, South and West Siders had an opportunity to build together again: ensure equitable public education in their neighborhoods, defend their communities, become informed and share resources. Hull-House gathered educators, and activists to discuss organizing and action across neighborhoods. Speakers included: Amara Enyia, public policy consultant and community organizer in Austin (moderator); Elisabeth Greer, co-founder and founding board member, Chicago United for Equity; Candace Moore, Staff Attorney, Education Equity Project at Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights; Simone Woods, Student Support Manager, Communities in Schools; and Byron Sigcho, Director, Pilsen Alliance. This event was filmed by CanTV and can be viewed by clicking here.

This event was a part of Hull-House’s exhibition Claiming Space: Creative Grounds and Freedom Summer School (September 19, 2017 - July 29, 2018) an exhibition that explored the transformation of public school space amidst school closures on the West Side. Making the West Side: Community Conversations on Neighborhood Change is a Hull-House project that investigates the history of neighborhood change and contemporary issues on Chicago’s West Side.