2nd Annual Smith Walk a Success! | The Smith Center for Community Advancement

Aug 14

Official Partners of the 2nd Annual Memorial Walk

On Sunday, August 24, 2014, over 60 individuals consisting of nonprofit organizations, Masonic Lodges, OES Chapters, community leaders, fraternities, sororities and families united; walked from Chicago Vocational Career Academy to Bowen High School in a passionate display of solidarity, community activism and a call for peace to the violence that is plaguing the community by participating in the 2nd Annual Smith Center Memorial Walk.

Marching down the street to slogans such as “This is Chicago, NOT Chi-raq!!!” this group literally brought onlookers outside of their houses to respond and applaud this positive display of activism as this parade of concerned citizens symbolically walked to honor the memory of those who will not be able to walk to school, start school or graduate due to having lost their lives tragically to gun and gang violence. Guest Speakers Dalton Brown of the Felony Free Society and Mack D McGhee addressed the crowd with calls to action for not only the youth in attendance to make better choices and seek nonviolent alternatives to situations but also for the need for schools and programs to teach young people how to properly handle situations with law enforcement. The Smith Center were also able to collect donations and school supplies for needy children on behalf of the Beautiful People Organization and the Aspirations of Life NPO had surprised a few participants with giveaways and they also wore shirts dedicated to those young boys and girls who lost their lives recently due to violence and will not be able to start school this fall. David D Robertson of H.O.P.E. Is… also kept the crown engaged with commentary and live streaming of the Memorial Walk.

The Memorial Walk is just another part of an ongoing commitment to the community and for families to reclaim the safety of their neighborhoods one block at a time! Please continue to support organizations and individuals that are dedicated to fighting the good fight! Out of this event there was an overwhelming thought that was incredibly clear and that it is definitely time for all of us to put words into action and be the leader you need to be, support others that are trying to be real leaders or do both! There really is no other option if you are looking for change in the community. The Smith Center for Community Advancement would like to thank the all those who came out to support this event and even those who could not support in person but still donated water, snacks and monetary donations through the website. Stay tuned to see what else The Smith Center will do to serve the community and support families as we get ready to close out the year!

2nd Annual Smith Walk Promo