#385 Emmanuel Pratt, Sweet Water Foundation

Sweet Water Foundation (SWF) practices Regenerative Neighborhood Development - a creative and regenerative social justice method, that creates safe and inspiring spaces and curates healthy, intergenerational communities that transform the ecology of so-called ‘blighted’ neighborhoods. Utilizing a unique blend of urban design, urban agriculture, carpentry, art, and STE(A+)M focused education, SWF cultivates engaged youth, an intergenerational and interdisciplinary workforce, art, locally-grown food, and affordable housing.

Since 2014, SWF has created a series of urban acupuncture inspired installations that actively re-story and re-construct a neighborhood located at the nexus of Englewood and Washington Park, two African American communities directly impacted by redlining and an ongoing practice of municipal disinvestment. Within 5 years, SWF has transformed 4 contiguous city blocks into what is now known as ‘The Commons.’ The Commons includes ~3 acres of Community Farms, a Community Garden, 2 pocket parks, a formerly- foreclosed home transformed into community school, a vacant house transformed into an Art Gallery meets live-work space, a community Work-Shop, a series of custom greenhouses, and a timber frame pavilion that serves as outdoor performing arts and community space.

At Chi Hack Night, Emmanuel + SWF team members will discuss their plans for The Commonwealth, an emerging community land trust that is taking a triple bottom line (people, planet, profit) approach to neighborhood development of 10 city blocks at the nexus of the Englewood and Washington Park communities on Chicago’s South Side.

RSVP required Braintree now requires all attendees to RSVP beforehand by 12:00 PM (noon). Walk-ins will not be allowed!

ASL This event will not have an American Sign Language interpreter.

Food Food and drinks will be provided. We encourage attendees to bring their own water bottles to reduce waste.