Kickoff City Civics Day with a special welcome from City officials and a performance by Chicago's poet laureate avery r. young. Chicago-based actor Melissa DuPrey serves as the day's emcee in the Auditorium.

A gentle offering that centers easy-going, full body stretch, breath work, and simple dance movement sequences embodying heart, joy, and self-awareness. Mobility range considered for all bodies, access, and abilities. Chairs can be used for those who cannot stand for long periods of time and/or cannot access yoga mats on the floor. Yoga socks, mats, and water will be provided. Room will be lightly aromatic.

Capacity for this session is limited to 30 participants. Seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Breakfast catered by Food for Thought.

Attendees of all ages are invited to join Somos Arte at the following stations located throughout the event: Coloring Corner; Interactive Mural; Decorate Your Tote Bag; Air Brush Tattoos; and the Photo Booth.

Local artists and developers share outside-the-box strategies for transforming vacant City-owned property into vibrant community assets. 

• Tonika Johnson, Artist 
• Ann Lui, Future Firm 
• AJ Patton, 548 Enterprises
• Lesley Roth, Lamar Johnson Collaborative 

Community Violence Interrupters outline strategies for improving safety across Chicago. 

• Samuel Castro, Institute for Non-Violence Chicago 
• Elvis Ortega, Community Safety Coordination Center, Chicago Department of Public Health 
• Jaron Washington, CP4P (Metropolitan Family Services) 

Branch managers and community leaders guide attendees through the collaborative processes behind the programming and events offered at local libraries. 

• Mariella Colon, Chicago Public Library 
• Lindsay Holbrook, Chicago Public Library - Jeffrey Manor Branch 
• Echelle Mohn, South Deering Manor Community Association 
• Ilene Uhlman, JCC Chicago 

Lunch catered by Food for Thought

Attendees of all ages are invited to join Somos Arte at the following stations located throughout the event: Coloring Corner; Interactive Mural; Decorate Your Tote Bag; Air Brush Tattoos; and the Photo Booth.

Learn about food equity, the growth of urban agriculture, and how to advocate for equal access to healthy food in Chicago. 

• Elizabeth Abnau, Forty Acres Fresh Market 
• Erika Allen, Urban Growers Collective 
• Mecca Bey, Grow Greater Englewood / Sistas in the Village 
• Dion Dawson, Dion’s Chicago Dream 
• Nick Davis, Community Food Navigator 
• Ruby Ferguson, Greater Chicago Food Depository 

Hear first-hand testimonies from local entrepreneurs and find out about City resources available to support small businesses. 

• Cecilia Cuff, Bronzeville Winery, Nascent Group 
• Teresa Ging, Sugar Bliss Cakes 
• Lotika Pai, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection  

Learn about Healing Arts Chicago, an innovative pilot program bringing free arts services to City of Chicago Mental Health Centers. 

• Shannon Harris, Artist 
• Gerry Holiday, Artist 
• Stephanie Jones-Horne, M.S., Chicago Department of Public Health 
• Dr. Francisco Rodriguez, Chicago Department of Public Health 
• Carrie Shepard, Axios 

A gentle offering that centers easy-going, full body stretch, breath work, and simple dance movement sequences embodying heart, joy, and self-awareness. Mobility range considered for all bodies, access, and abilities. Chairs can be used for those who cannot stand for long periods of time and/or cannot access yoga mats on the floor. Yoga socks, mats, and water will be provided. Room will be lightly aromatic.

Capacity for this session is limited to 30 participants. Seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lunch catered by Food for Thought

Attendees of all ages are invited to join Somos Arte at the following stations located throughout the event: Coloring Corner; Interactive Mural; Decorate Your Tote Bag; Air Brush Tattoos; and the Photo Booth.

Explore the treasure trove of civic information and programs accessible through the City Clerk’s office. 

• Anna Valencia, Chicago City Clerk 
• Pat Whalen, podcast host of “Best Evening Ever” 

Discover the tools available to create public art in your community — and hear a first-hand story about how that art can bring neighbors together. 

• Gloria “Gloe” Talamantes, Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council 
• Jimmy Castillo, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events 
• Brett Swinney, Cultural Affairs Coordinator, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events

City officials and South Side community leaders take you inside how they’re preparing for development associated with the transformational CTA Red Line Extension project. 

• Juan Sebastian Arias, Elevated Chicago 
• Tammy Chase, Chicago Transit Authority  
• Jasmine Gunn, Chicago Department of Planning and Development  
• Cheryl Johnson, People for Community Recovery 
• Andrea Reed, Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce 

Lunch catered by Food for Thought

Attendees of all ages are invited to join Somos Arte at the following stations located throughout the event: Coloring Corner; Interactive Mural; Decorate Your Tote Bag; Air Brush Tattoos; and the Photo Booth.

As part of the City of Chicago's Civics Day, 2nd Story presents The World I Want to Live In, by Lynnette Li, and Technicolor Me by Jasmin Cardenas. Each of these stories reflect how we personally respond to our relationship with our communities, and what we can apply to our life as citizens, community members, neighbors, friends, and family. The performance is directed by Liz Rice, emceed by Vince Pagán-Hill, with music by Jeff Schaller. 2nd Story is now in its 26th Season of bringing live performances from real people with real stories for real change. Learn more at 2ndStory.com.