Commemorating 20 years of childcare and education, It Takes A Village (ITAV), a CCLF borrower, held its ribbon cutting of their Bronzeville Academy at the old Hales Franciscan High School on October 22, 2024, at 4930 South Cottage Grove Avenue, one of its seven locations.

On hand for the celebration were community leaders and elected officials such as Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton,1st District Congressman Jonathan Jackson, 4th Ward Alderman Lamont Robinson, and Pastor Chris Harris of Bright Star Church.

The speakers praised the exceptional work that the founders Nakisha Harris Hobbs, M.Ed., Chief Executive Officer, Anita Andrews-Hutchinson, M.P.H., and Gwendolyn Harris, M.Ed. Chief Programming Officer have done in developing an education curriculum that was unlike the status quo: a high quality, culturally responsive, and social justice focused program where the students are learning to be the change they want to see and be advocates for change.

“Ribbon-cutting ceremonies are an opportunity for us to be present in this space, to take a quick moment of time to be reflective and have gratitude for those who got us to this point and, at the same time, collectively look forward to what we’re going to be building together,” reflected co-founder Anita Andrews Hutchinson.