10 BIPOC Youth Empowerment Programs Impacting The Chicago Area

In Chicago, numerous organizations are dedicated to empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth. Each fosters leadership, creativity, and community engagement in their own unique ways. The 1937 Foundation, rooted in the core principles of Pain, Purpose, and Progress, not only advances its initiatives but also supports and celebrates these impactful programs.​

The 1937 Foundation: Embracing Pain, Purpose, and Progress

At The 1937 Foundation, our mission is anchored in addressing the challenges faced by marginalized communities and transforming them into opportunities for growth and empowerment. Our core principles—Pain, Purpose, and Progress—guide our efforts:​

• Pain: Recognizing and addressing the historical and systemic injustices that have caused suffering within BIPOC communities.​

• Purpose: Channeling this recognition into meaningful initiatives that promote healing, education, and empowerment.​

• Progress: Fostering sustainable development and positive change through community engagement and support.​

Our programs include Healing Circles and mental health initiatives aimed at providing safe spaces for individuals to share experiences and find collective healing. In alignment with our mission, we want to shed light on 10 different organizations. Each of these is making significant strides in empowering BIPOC youth in the Chicago area:​

1. Chicago Freedom School

The Chicago Freedom School (CFS) equips Black and Brown youth with tools and skills to build power and community as they envision and organize for a world free from oppression. Their youth programs are co-developed and implemented in partnership with youth, ensuring that the initiatives are relevant and impactful. One of their flagship programs, the Freedom Fellowship, is a six-month intensive social justice leadership program for youth aged 14-17. It explores social movement history, systems of oppression and liberation, community organizing, and youth-led action.

2. The Dovetail Project

The Dovetail Project empowers young Black and Brown fathers aged 17 to 24 by providing a 12-week curriculum that teaches parenting skills, financial literacy, and job readiness. Founded in 2010 by Sheldon Smith, the organization addresses the challenges faced by young fathers, aiming to break the cycle of absenteeism and promote active fatherhood. Their Fatherhood Relief Fund, initiated in 2020, delivers essential items such as food, diapers, and formula to families in need, exemplifying their commitment to community support.

3. Assata's Daughters

Assata's Daughters is a Black women-led organization that focuses on political education, organizing, and revolutionary services. Operating through a Black, queer, feminist lens, they provide programs that empower young Black people to become leaders in their communities. Their initiatives are deeply rooted in the tradition of Assata Shakur and the Black Liberation Movement, aiming to develop the next generation of organizers.

4. Marwen

Marwen offers free visual arts education to Chicago students from under-resourced neighborhoods and schools. Since its inception in 1987, Marwen has served thousands of students, providing courses in painting, photography, graphic design, animation, fashion design, ceramics, and more. Their programs not only nurture artistic talents but also offer college and career counseling, ensuring that students have the support they need to pursue their passions.

5. My Block, My Hood, My City (M3)

Founded in 2013 by Jahmal Cole, M3 mentors underprivileged youth through educational programs and field trips. The organization exposes young people to opportunities beyond their immediate neighborhoods, focusing on STEM, arts and culture, volunteerism, health, community development, culinary arts, and entrepreneurship. By broadening their horizons, M3 empowers youth to envision and work towards a brighter future.

6. Chicago Youth Programs (CYP)

CYP endeavors to serve the comprehensive needs of each youth with an asset-based approach that intends to mitigate risks while building strengths. They make a long-term investment in youth, beginning as early as birth and lasting until age 25. This gives them the confidence that young adults will have successfully completed their post-secondary plans. And from there, be well on their way to establishing a life-sustaining career.

7. Imagine Englewood If

Imagine Englewood If focuses on empowering youth in the Englewood neighborhood through various programs. One of their initiatives, the Growing Citizen Leaders program, is a youth empowerment program for teenagers. This lets them engage in collaborative youth-led projects, professional development workshops, and civic engagement training. IEF’s program fosters leadership skills and community involvement among the youth.

8. Bright Promises Foundation

The Bright Promises Foundation addresses childhood trauma caused by racism and promotes healing among BIPOC children and youth through their Healing, Leading, Changing initiative. By focusing on healing youth racial trauma, they empower young individuals to overcome challenges and become leaders in their communities.

9. Young Cultural Stewards (YCS) - Chicago Park District

Through community-based programming, YCS engages over 2,500 youth across 100 parks and 45 neighborhoods. Initiatives like TRACE (Teens Re-Imagine Art, Community, and Environment) and the Inferno Mobile Recording Studio encourage youth to critically and creatively engage with art, technology, and media. These programs empower young people to become advocates and caretakers of their parks, neighborhoods, and communities.

10. Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100)

BYP100 is an African American youth organization focused on community organizing, voter mobilization, and other social justice campaigns centered on Black, feminist, and queer issues. Learn more about their organization here.

Investing in the Future of Chicago’s BIPOC Youth

Empowering BIPOC youth in Chicago is not just about creating opportunities. It’s also about breaking cycles of inequity and building sustainable pathways to success. The programs highlighted here make a tangible difference. They do so by equipping young people with leadership skills, creative outlets, mentorship, and community-driven initiatives. These organizations are shaping a future where Chicago’s youth don’t just survive but thrive.

At The 1937 Foundation, we stand firmly behind these groups and their missions. Our commitment to Pain, Purpose, and Progress means not only addressing systemic challenges but also uplifting those who are actively creating change. By supporting these youth empowerment programs, we ensure that young people have the resources, confidence, and community they need to reach their full potential.