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Chicago Avenue has a King. Westside Health Authority is caretaker of the ‘The Chieftain’ a 10 foot bronze statue depicting Martin Luther King as a Nigerian warrior.  That landmark is located just 2 blocks away in the Austin Justice and Peace Plaza (Chicago + Mandela Road). Today was all about The Queen’s... read more →

In Austin there are 34,000 youth between ages 13-25. That age group has the highest amount of disposable income in the neighborhood. Young Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow is a collection of seven young black men (and one woman) who are launching a Mobile Retail Cooperative in Austin, Chicago. The idea was... read more →

It’s important to circulate dollars in the neighborhood you live. The Shop AV72 Travel Guide was a showcase of eight local businesses on Chicago Avenue.  We’ve actually never been inside the Chicago Public Library West Chicago Ave Branch. Nick Cave, the trained dance performer with Alvin Ailey also creates fabric... read more →

Ms. Myrtle, as Father Tom Walsh calls her is about tribe building.  Creating a business during tough times takes a woman full of energy, faith and love. When Mrytle Mullins had thoughts of purchasing the building that would become Chic’s Elite Hair & Nail Salon 44 years ago at Chicago Ave &... read more →

Gone Again, the West Side’s first black owned travel agency was in attendance.  Soon they will take a group of Chicagoans to Kenya for 9 days. The HHW Vocal Arts Ensemble arrived with no less that 50 performers draped in gorgeous robes to perform South African classical hymns. After the press conference... read more →

It’s been a long time coming, initial talks began three years ago.  Brown Sugar Bakery always wanted the next location of their award winning, southern style dessert shop to be in Austin.  Alderman Emma Mitts said it best when the mic was passed her way.  “Our community is too intelligent... read more →

Open House AV72 presents the 2018 Community & Business Summer Extravaganza on Chicago Ave between Central & Kilpatrick. Join us as we explore community, commerce and culture while connecting community to business and business to community. Our Community & Business Summer Extravaganza will launch in Austin Saturday, May 12th with the opening of Schweet... read more →

They hated Dr. Martin Luther King the marcher but they love the martyr.  It’s been fifty years since the assassination of our modern day Moses. We forget Chicago’s role in the civil rights movement. How events like the tragedy of Emmitt Till and the Chicago Freedom Movement changed the course... read more →

Morris Reed is CEO of Westside Health Authority. The 501c3 non-profit is celebrating it’s 30th year in 2018 and is the service provider for this very website. When you’re in his office you notice several awards along with a framed Tribune article spotlighting the Coalition to Save Community Banking. Instead... read more →