Posted 5 days ago in Trending, downtown day, community
4 MIN READ – On July 13, My Block, My Hood, My City (MBMHMC) will host Downtown Day, a citywide event, aimed at bringing nearly 1,500 youth to downtown Chicago in an effort to expose Chicago teens to the dynamic opportunities of the Loop and downtown area. Over 35 downtown businesses will offer free or discounted attractions; intimate workshops; tours and culinary experiences.
Downtown Day is part of Art Design Chicago, a citywide collaboration initiated by the Terra Foundation for American Art that highlights the city’s artistic heritage and creative communities. It is funded in part by the Terra Foundation for American Art.
“We are happy to support Downtown Day to provide opportunities for young Chicagoans to connect with several of the artists and museums involved in Art Design Chicago, a series of exhibitions and events that highlight the city’s creative communities. Through these experiences, participating youth will broaden their understandings of their city through the lens of art and design,” said Sharon Corwin, president and CEO of Terra Foundation for American Art. “The foundation is committed to fostering dialogue around American art and expanding opportunities to engage with it, and our support of My Block, My Hood, My City continues to advance this aim.”
"Bringing youth from the south and west side communities to downtown Chicago is not merely about sightseeing – it’s about opening doors of opportunity wide enough for everyone to walk through,” said Jahmal Cole, founder and CEO of My Block, My Hood, My City. “It’s about leveling the playing field and ensuring that every young mind, regardless of their zip code, has the chance to see, learn and dream without limitations."
The day begins with a partner and media breakfast at Capital One Café at 8 a.m.; followed by a welcome reception for participating youth at 10 a.m. at the Harris Theater near Millennium Park. Youth are free to explore and interact with participating businesses from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Participants will be chaperoned in small groups by representatives from youth organizations from across the city along with a collection of volunteers and MBMHMC staff.
“Our partnership with My Block, My Hood, My City’s Downtown Day furthers our organization’s mission of ensuring the Loop as Everyone’s Neighborhood,” said Michael Edwards, President and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “This initiative positively spotlights downtown as a space for youth to experience often unknown parts of their city. Partnering Loop businesses’ unique opportunities and attractions showcase the unceasing compassion and authenticity of Chicagoans.”
"The Magnificent Mile® Association is excited to welcome the second annual Downtown Day to our district,” says Kimberly Bares, President and CEO of The Magnificent Mile Association. “Our members have curated a vast selection of experiences designed to engage and inspire Chicago’s youth. From boat tours to museum visits and behind-the-scenes peeks of iconic businesses, our members are committed to creating a phenomenal day for all attendees. We thank the MBMHMC for this opportunity to share the best The Magnificent Mile has to offer."
All youth attendees will be wearing My Block, My Hood, My City branded shirts and will receive a $50 gift card for retail, restaurant, or cultural activities. Due to the partnership with local institutions, dozens of different free or discounted activities are accessible to participants.
See a full list of partners below:
Organizations:
Chicago Loop Alliance
Chicago Police Department
Choose Chicago
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
Terra Foundation
The Magnificent Mile® Association
Wabtec
Businesses:
360 Chicago
American Writers Museum
Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago
Art Institute of Chicago
Big Bus Tours
Broadway In Chicago
CannonDesign
Capital One Cafe
Chicago Architecture Center
Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events
Chicago History Museum
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
City Cruises Chicago
City Hall
Design Museum of Chicago
Field Trip Chicago
Flyover
L’Oréal
Lou Malnati's
Millennium Park
Mindworks: A Science of Thinking
Mr. Chicago Tours
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago
Museum of Illusions
Organic Headshots
Raising Cane's
Rudd Resources
Shake Shack
Shedd Aquarium
Skydeck Chicago
Starbucks Reserve Roastery Chicago
The Fat Shallot
Underground Donut Tour
Villa Albertine
Vue Show Design Group
My Block, My Hood. My City encourages the Chicago community to donate or partner in this effort to help the youth of Chicago explore, experience and evolve on July 13. Those interested in advancing the work of MBMHMC can find more information at Formyblock.org/downtownday.
Images courtesy of My Block, My Hood, My City.
