“There is an art of gathering what to burn.” In her latest exhibition, a mascletà for burning and flowering at Leisure Gallery, artist Natasha Mijares asks: What traditions do we inherit? What violence do they carry? And how do we choose what blooms in their place?

On the West Side, the spirit of community is alive. “Stone Temple has become an anchor for those drifting in uncertainty. Today, under Pastor Reshorna’s leadership, the church continues to serve as a reminder that the solution to displacement includes small acts of care,” writes Genesis Falls.

One Google search led us to a coffee shop that feels like home. In part one of our new series, #EatingOurWayHome, we visit #AddisCafe — a West Suburban café where Ethiopian tradition meets community turned family.

Accessibility, at whose expense? Riders have navigated a detour stemming from @chicagocta.bsky.social’s closure of the Austin station. The updates are long overdue, but commuters relying on the Green Line have experienced lengthened daily trips since June. Swipe ⬆️ for the TLDR.

Access shouldn’t be a barrier to growing something good. Six years ago, Sister Sharon Dillon saw only weeds where garden beds should be. Today, those same beds are thriving—thanks to her science students at Berwyn South 100’s Heritage Middle School.

Displacement is often described only through the absence of housing, of resources, of security. “But when I look through the viewfinder, I see something else: the persistence of life,” writes Genesis Falls.

Kicking off on Sept 13 is our FREE 3-week media training! Learn to decode misinformation, engage critically with media, and publish your own stories on 15West.org. Attend all 3 sessions to qualify for paid reporting on Chicago’s West Side. Open to anyone interested in community journalism!

At La Cocina de Irma in Little Village, “Grandma Irma” feeds everyone—no matter what language they speak or how much money they have. ⬇️ Swipe for the TLDR or head here to read more: www.15west.org/grandma-irma...

Enough time has passed—let’s talk Summer Smash. The energy and performances from Lyrical Lemonade’s festival still linger through Chicago’s hip-hop scene. Head here to read our reflection: www.15west.org/summer-smash...

Chicago’s new “Heat Vulnerability Index” maps the neighborhoods most exposed to extreme heat. But in communities long overlooked by city planning, residents are asking: will data lead to action? Swipe ⬇️ for the TLDR or tap the link to read more: www.15west.org/west-south-s...

👋🏽 We’re hosting media literacy workshops for anyone curious about misinformation and community journalism. Over 3 weeks you’ll learn to: • decode misinformation • critically engage with media • write your own narratives through hands-on training in digital publishing and community journalism

Tired of unanswered questions and fragmented information, Janel King and fellow residents like Patricia Ostaszewski are creating new paths to transparency in #Berwyn. Scroll ⬇️ for the TLDR or click the link to read more! 15west.org/silence-isnt...

Still so grateful for IFF’s support! 🥹 This is our largest gift to date. And with everything going on in the world, it feels surreal to be included among this list of organizations fighting for the arts. Learn more about our plans at the link below

The trust Memphis rapper Key Glock has earned from fans isn’t just about his music; it’s about his refusal to compromise his Memphis identity for mainstream acceptance. Read our review of Glock’s Chicago tour stop: 15west.org/in-key-glock...

Get ready for #news for everyone. Who are we? #15West is a new volunteer-supported newsroom and a fiscally sponsored project of @luckyjefferson.com dedicated to connecting people mile by mile, block by block, throughout neighborhoods west of Chicago.