Gold Coast to Gary 30-mile
On November 7, 2021, I will be completing a solo 30-mile run that will stretch from Chicago’s Gold Coast to Gary, Indiana.
(**assuming I am healthy/injury-free following the Chicago marathon on Oct. 10!) ...
Throughout my second year of service with Teach for America, the commute to Gary was one I made daily. The stretch of highway that runs south through Chicago and into Indiana cuts though some of the most segregated neighborhoods in the country. It took me from one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Chicago to a city with a median income of roughly $20,000-30,000 in only 35 minutes.
“You commute to Gary everyday?! That’s so far!”, was a common reaction I heard when I told people in my community where I was teaching. They were often shocked to learn how close it actually was.
This demonstrated, to me, the effects of that segregation. Perhaps due to barriers between our communities such as poverty and racism, I noticed a lack of attention for the northern neighborhoods’ proximity to Chicago’s south side/ Gary and the issues that occur there.
In no way can I suggest that I, in privilege, have the power to mend any damage created by such segregation. Nor do I single-handedly have the power to bridge these communities. That being said, the purpose of my run is simply to raise awareness for the proximity of the communities. I want to show you how close we are—that we are all one community— by getting to the other end on foot.
At various checkpoints, I will he joined by a few of my students—the children that silently educated ME.
In addition, I will be raising money for the first project of an up-and-coming non-profit established by Willa Okeke, “The Willow Tree Foundation”. Okeke is Gary born and bred and has fought all her life for improvement in her community. She has also had a profound impact on me personally as well as my work in urban education.
Her first project will be creating a new, clean park in Gary where children can play safely. She’s told me that she's always had to take children in her care to surrounding cities, outside of Gary, to play at their parks
To donate to my 30m and contribute to Okeke's children’s park in Gary, please follow this link to my GoFundMe.
In addition, please feel to reach out with other questions regarding the purpose, The Willow Tree, etc., or for educational resources.
& Stay tuned for nov 7!!
** a special thanks to Travis Jolly (GPD) who has so generously provided me with a security team to accompany me on this run**
