FRIDAY, MAY 17th from 4 - 6:30P: Hear We Art™ is ILA's interactive and educational art experience fusing visuals and sound for an immersive community experience. This unique community experience helps us connect with community members in an intimate setting to encourage awareness around cognitive skill-building while connecting attendees to local teaching artists.

We use these workshops as an opportunity to bridge the gap on our commonalities in this human experience through creative interaction, facilitated by a local artist and co-facilitated with a healing practitioner. Our goal in these sessions is to help members of our community from all walks of life learn new, decompressive ways to connect and to optimize participants' emotional vocabulary and awareness. Enabling them to identify and express their feelings more accurately and profoundly.

By doing so, individuals can achieve greater self-awareness, foster meaningful connections, navigate societal challenges with resilience, and harness their emotions as a source of personal power and social change.

Facilitated by Wellness Practictioner: Candis Oakley of Very Human Social and long-time GCYC Mentor Artist EDO

To learn more about ILA Creative Studio visit: www.ilacreativestudio.com

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On Juneteenth, join D-Composed, a Black chamber music collective, and Tricia Hersey, Founder of The Nap Ministry for Freedom Lullabies, a rest experience that celebrates the power of our Ancestors freedom and uplifts Black composers' works with revolutionary text readings from 1 - 3P.

While the D-Composed string quartet performs the music of Black composers live, Tricia Hersey will read revolutionary text from historical figures such as WEB DuBois, Audre Lorde, bell hooks, and excerpts from her New York Times Bestselling Book, "Rest is Resistance." Attendees will collectively rest and nap amongst the lush sounds and affirmative text as we celebrate liberation and dream for the future.

There will be a limited number of yoga mats available. In the spirit of community and coziness, please bring yoga mats, blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, socks, and other items that feel like care to you.

Food and refreshments will be served right after the performance.

Space is limited so please ensure that you are registered for the event. Doors open 12:30p. Performance begins @ 1p sharp

This Black liberation event is for those who identify as part of the African Diaspora.

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May 3rd, from 1 - 6PM our partners at Chi Village will be bringing the Watoto Viberaiser to the center. At the heart of the Watoto Viberaiser are youth activation stations where children can dive into hands-on experiences like crafting their own seed starter kits, savoring delicious treats from Taylor's Tacos, and adorning themselves with beautiful henna designs by Dija. The program also includes workshops, such as Corey Mason's session on elevating one's frequency, Dijas' Paint N Vibe for a splash of creative expression, and the cultural fusion dance workshop, Connect The Dot: West African Dance to Chicago Footwork, led by Mike D & Imania Fatima. Join us in nurturing our Watoto, the cherished link between our ancestors and the promise of our collective future.

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On May 10th our partners at D-Composed brought their meditative program D-Compressed.

Black chamber music collective D-Composed hosted an evening of rest, relaxation, and well-being with their music and meditation experience, D-Compressed.

While the D-Composed string quartet performed the works of Black composers, Cherish Hicks of Beyond guided attendees through affirmations and sound bowl meditations, creating a meditative and reflective experience.

Designed for guests to just be while listening to chamber music, attendees are encouraged to bring their mats, blankets, pillows, or whatever is needed for a restful experience.

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