New project puts spotlight on local ‘everyday’ heroes
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Started in August, the “Everyday Activists” project entails interviewing and taking photos of West Side heroes who are too often unheard and overlooked. Once the pandemic has subsided, organizers plan to hold two in-person exhibits – one in Austin and the other in Oak Park. Another project titled “Austin has the Mic” also aims to empower Austin residents to share their stories and help depict the community in a more authentic and positive light.
Business
Website launches to promote Black-owned businesses
The newly launched website -www.BlackShopFriday.com – provides a guide to more than 500 local Black-owned businesses – more than 40 of them in Austin – that can be searched by category and/or neighborhood. Black Shop Friday is a partnership of the city of Chicago, the Chicago Urban League and advertising agency O’Keefe Reinhard & Paul (OKRP).
abundance
Thanksgiving speaker offers this message: Live your life more abundantly
Reesheda Graham Washington, the keynote speaker at this year’s multi-faith Thanksgiving service organized by the Community of Congregations and held Sunday night on Facebook Live, urged nearly 100 attendees to pattern their lives after Jesus. “How might we get curious about living a more abundant life?” asked the serial entrepreneur who operates Live Café in Oak Park.
architecture
Pop Courts will be popping up in Austin soon
An empty and under-utilized lot is being transformed into a vibrant space for residents and businesses to set up shop and relax. Once finished, the lot will have a basketball court, a plaza for pop-up markets, a lawn for seating, a spot for food trucks and a mural painted by local artists.