Creators of a new Arts and Civic engagement organization
The Sanctuary Chicago:
Q: What made you decide to create The Sanctuary Chicago? And why now?
We believe The Sanctuary Chicago was born with us, and our life journeys have culminated in its formation. We both have been blessed with mentors, opportunities, and life experiences that helped shape who we are today. One of our personal principles is the old French expression “noblesse oblige” or, “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Like so many others, we approached the 2020 new year with an optimistic vision board, not knowing that just a few months in, the year would prove to be the most challenging we had ever experienced. We founded The Sanctuary Chicago in June 2020, at the height of a global pandemic and what appeared to be a reckoning on race in America.
With over 300,000 lives lost (at that time) to this horrible virus, and countless others lost senselessly to all manners of hatred, it was apparent that we had to live every day in passionate pursuit of our purpose. We knew we couldn’t wait for a “better time” because that may not have ever come. But we did know our vision for The Sanctuary was clear and urgent, so we took a leap of faith.
Q: What are the unique contributions The Sanctuary Chicago will bring to the community?
Our driving force at The Sanctuary Chicago is to restore love, peace, and power to our community through efforts that provide creative solutions to generational disparities.
We both have a deep love for history passed down from our grandparents and elders, that influences our understanding of the way unjust and systemic racism makes our fight harder. This was the impetus for the creative solutions we plan to bring, because when you know where you’ve been, you can see more clearly where you’re going.
Our programs, events, and services in The Arts, Education, Wellness, and Life Skills strive to link individual cultivation with real opportunities, filling the gaps created by centuries of disinvestment.
One example is our business incubation program. We envision a section of our dream home (that we’re currently fundraising for *wink wink*) to be rehabbed into office spaces, that can be leased by community members who complete our business formation program.
Our hope is that they eventually scale and outgrow our space, encouraging property acquisition in South Shore by members of the community. Other intergenerational classes and programs, like our history and heritage courses, youth employment network, and wellness offerings provided in a beautiful and safe space, all work together to restore identity and strengthen community bonds.
Q: What is the importance of art and culture in programs that heal, educate, or otherwise serve the community?
In our personal experience, art and culture are what connect us one to another. As life- long creatives, our relationship with the arts has taken many forms, including being the very reason we met almost 15 years ago as 5th-grade dancers. Although neither of us became professional dancers, the benefits of a foundation in the arts have had indisputable benefits.
Studies tell us that involvement in the arts has a direct impact on academic achievement, enhances self-confidence and self-understanding, communication skills, and improves cognition. The same can be said about culture. We believe having a true understanding of one’s culture fills us with pride and a greater sense of hope for the future. We want to use the arts and culture to heal, connect and promote creative expression. Also, to encourage mental stability and development in youth and adults. We also want to inspire careers in the arts as a viable revenue source.
Q: While 2020 has been very challenging, have there been any aspects of the year that have a silver lining for your work and vision for The Sanctuary Chicago?
Absolutely! Much like everyone else, we’ve endured the financial and emotional tests of 2020. We have had to find creative ways to maintain a positive outlook. One thing this year has made abundantly clear, is the importance of prioritizing health and purpose.
We both have a deep love for history passed down from our grandparents and elders, that influences our understanding of the way unjust and systemic racism makes our fight harder.
Founding The Sanctuary Chicago in itself was a radical act of self-care. We made the conscious decision to leave our careers and redirect our time and talents, to the mission we believe in. Don’t get us wrong, there have been many struggles along the way, but we always find joy in the process. This means celebrating and regarding every small win as revolutionary. The positive feedback from community members, receiving small but mighty donations, and simply having the support and encouragement from those who want to see The Sanctuary come to fruition, all serve as a gentle reminder that we’re on the right track. Leaning into your passions brings freedom. We believe everyone should have access to the tools that help create abundant life. Despite the tumultuous year of 2020, the valleys we’ve made it through only confirm the fact that our community needs a space to simply be Black, happy, and free!
Q: Are there any personal experiences, skills or talents that served as motivation for the creation of The Sanctuary Chicago?
We truly believe The Sanctuary Chicago has lived in us all along. What were seemingly random life events, jobs or experiences as we moved through life, have proven to be integral tools needed to embark on this journey. We’ll share a little more about our own personal experiences:
Christina: As a South Side native, and bonus child of creative and hardworking grandparents, my sisters and I were enrolled in an amazing South Shore organization called Global Girls Inc. to encourage our personal and creative development.
Through my years there I was blessed to gain lifelong friendships, travel abroad, and through the performing arts, build the confidence necessary to live courageously as an agent for change. While matriculating through high school and on to college, my journey offered opportunities to strengthen my skills in communications, business operations, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.
I pride myself on being a pretty good D.I.Y-er, (do it yourself) using the power of online resources to build my own small business that helps others build theirs. Happily, I’m able to translate those experiences more directly to my contributions towards building The Sanctuary Chicago.
Jade: I come from a very creative home. My oldest sister started me on my artistic journey. After school I would have to watch my sister dance with her peers, where I would emulate what I saw to the best of my 5 year-old abilities. I am blessed to have amazing examples to guide me through life. I was taught to always consider the next person and continue to do for others as they would do for you.
Carrying this principle along through the years I continued to involve myself in neighborhood and community organizations, that help to serve others. My love for art and creativity grew stronger and followed through to now. In college I studied Fashion Marketing and Business which afforded me the opportunity to begin teaching. From there, all opportunities and challenges have advanced my skills and brought me to the formation of The Sanctuary Chicago.
With our passions for the arts and civic engagement, together with our combined skills in marketing, design, communications, & business operations, we feel confidently equipped for the journey. We also know we can’t and won’t get there alone. So we’re grateful for our small but mighty Board of Directors and all the amazing and talented people working with us, to bring integral change to the South Shore community.
Q: If you imagine December 2021, what would you like to say occurred throughout the year for you to consider the development of The Sanctuary Chicago a success?
A successful 2021 for The Sanctuary Chicago all comes down to the impact we are able to make. Our first-year goals include being able to purchase and begin rehabbing our dream home and developing and implementing at least 1 program in each of our 4 core targets. We also want to provide resources, events, and services that cater to our mission of helping others create abundant lives.
The importance of the property we’ve found are its’ unique features and the real value it has the potential to bring. Located in a city designated “opportunity zone,” this space has 3 levels complete with a commercial-sized kitchen, ballroom, speakeasy style bar, and hundreds of square feet available for multi-purpose classroom and community use.
Our hope is that once we are able to purchase, we can involve community members in the rebuilding efforts to truly have a beautiful space made for us by us. We envision community members taking full ownership of The Sanctuary Chicago, using the space to teach, learn, and just be.
Lastly, our hope at the end of a full year would be to have the investments and endowments that reflect the work and outcomes, we’ve been able to provide and plan to
With our passions for the arts and civic engagement, together with our combined skills in marketing, design, communications, & business operations, we feel confidently equipped for the journey. We also know we can’t and won’t get there alone.
continue providing. This for us means inspiring others to actualize and implement new realities abundant in health, wealth, love, peace, power, and community.
Q: What do you need from others in the community to help activate the next steps of your vision for The Sanctuary Chicago?
Our community members are the heart of The Sanctuary Chicago. We’ve received an immense amount of support from the South Shore neighborhood. We want to first, with our whole hearts, say thank you!
Our journey has just begun and we need the community’s involvement to continue building toward the future. We all have a unique set of skills and talents that can be shared with others. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and connect with us! With your time, participation, partnership, and/or monetary support, The Sanctuary Chicago will continue to grow and achieve our goals.
If you choose to contribute monetarily, all donations go directly towards securing our space, developing our programs, and impacting South Shore. Coming together is just the beginning. The world is changing and so are we.
Contact: thesanctuarychi@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/thesanctuarychi
The Quarry
Event Center is a
cultural hub, hosting business,
entertainment, and
community
healing events.
