Community Partner Spotlight: My Block My Hood My City (M3)

Mission

My Block My Hood My City mission is to inspire youth, empower communities, and build a better world one block at a time.

Founder and CEO

Jahmal is a multi-time Chicago Reader Activist of the Year, Chicago Magazine Chicagoan of the Year, Chicago Defender “Men of Excellence” Honoree, American Red Cross Community Impact Hero Award recipient, and the subject of the feature documentary film “A Tiny Ripple of Hope.” Jahmal has also had the honor of speaking in front of President Barack Obama and receiving an honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities from DePaul University.

Services Offered

Our community-focused programs, such as One Block at a Time initiative, mobilizes corporate volunteers to collaborate with residents on neighborhood improvement projects, Downtown Day, which invites teens, who otherwise may not feel welcome in Chicago’s tourist and business corridors, to safely explore the Magnificent Mile and beyond, #SaveStreetball which reimagines Chicago’s outdoor basketball courts as a respite (rather than a cause) from neighborhood violence, and Be a Part of the Light which inspires hope and interrupts trauma by rallying volunteers to light up Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive with holiday decorations.

Current Projects

In a bold effort to deepen his understanding of Chicago’s diverse communities, Jahmal Cole, Founder and CEO of My Block My Hood My City, has launched an ambitious initiative to live in all of Chicago’s 77 community areas, spending one month in each—to better engage with residents and address local needs.

Organizational Impact to the Community

At My Block My Hood My City, we believe that Community Safety begins with community building, resource sharing, and taking care of people no matter what. Through our diverse and multifaceted lineup of programs and initiatives, My Block My Hood My City continues to empower Chicagoans, encouraging them to explore beyond their immediate surroundings and actively contribute to the betterment of their communities.

Recent Data shows that:

• Block Clubs areas have seen a reduction in gun violence since joining the program.
• M3 Block Clubs have seen a greater reduction in gun violence than the rest of Chicago.

Funding Sources

We receive small monthly donations from a wide range of donors.

This spotlight is part of the Healthy City Collaborative, a program within the UIC Office of Community Engagement And Neighborhood Health Partnerships.

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