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RDLF News: Issue 26
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Fresh Produce Partnership Success
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As a response to the pandemic, the Reva and David Logan Foundation launched what was supposed to be a short-term food distribution program, yet the need for high quality, nutritious fruits and vegetables has only grown. We continue to remain committed to providing these vital and healthy goods to our neighbors. Last year, our Fresh Produce Program supported 121 pop-up distributions throughout more than 17 Chicago south and west side neighborhoods and communities.
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While most of our work in the program consists of working directly with farmers and organizations, a unique opportunity arose between two of our partners. The Bloc has provided a free food distribution to their local community twice a month for a couple of years, but they found that they no longer had capacity to prepare the goods for distribution. With the Foundation's support, they teamed up with our partner Dion's Chicago Dream (DCD), who now prepares the 400+ fresh produce boxes for The Bloc's pop-ups.
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Everyone's collective efforts ensure the success of the partnership. Feedback is collected from clients to ensure the most culturally appropriate food is provided. Grapes, for example, were increased recently after youth enthusiastically expressed appreciation for having crisp, delicious grapes included as healthy treats in school lunches and snacks. We have also adjusted the start times of pop-ups to prevent long wait times and ensure the community feels safe when receiving their boxes.
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"The impact on the community has been amazing," said The Bloc's Director of Operations, Carla Arias-Chavez. "Many people are excited to receive the boxes, as they truly rely on them as a consistent source of fresh produce. It is with pride that we distribute Dion's boxes, knowing they make such a difference. On our end, handing off the production of these boxes to an organization that has the expertise in this very thing has been a great decision on our end. By saving significant time and resources, we've been able to reinvest in the community and expand our growing footprint."
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Pay Equity and Transparency in the Arts
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Join four of our grantees as they go beyond W.A.G.E. certification to foster a world where the entire artist is supported–holistically, equitably, and transparently. This interactive webinar brings together leaders from Threewalls, Roman Susan, Chicago Dancemakers Forum, and 3Arts to discuss their groundbreaking work in implementing pay equity and transparency in the arts.
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This session will explore actionable strategies for artist support rooted in intersectional, human-centered policies that address both financial sustainability and the well-being of artists. Join for this conversation on Tuesday, April 29 at 2pm ET/11am PT, which will provide practical frameworks for advancing pay equity and transparency in your own organization, equipping attendees with tools to ensure that artists thrive–not just survive.
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GIA webinars are open to everyone. The fee for nonmembers is $35.
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Stomping Grounds' inaugural exhibition
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Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative (SGLAI) collaborated with The Beautiful Cat Gallery to present its inaugural exhibition, Locked Achievements. The exhibition showcased the work of 12 young artists who are justice-involved. Over 10 weeks, Nate Olison, an SGLAI teaching artist with over 15 years’ experience, worked with youth at Illinois Youth Center facilities to develop their artistic voices through storytelling and illustration, and to realize just how powerful their voices and stories can be.
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The 5-week exhibition culminated in a Closing Reception in which Olison and SGLAI’s Founder and Executive Director, Elgin Bokari Smith, guided over 40 attendees on a tour of the artwork. Attendees were able to hear recordings of the poets reading their original works by using the QR codes supplied with every display. During the tour, Olison and Smith shared their reflections and experiences supporting the young artists, and highlighted the strength and perseverance that these artists possess despite the challenges of their justice involvement. The duality of challenge and achievement is ultimately why the artists came up with the title of this exhibition, Locked Achievements.
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Artistic opportunities for these youth, including their inclusion in this exhibition, can have a profound impact on their lives; from inspiring their career choices to positively influencing their court cases and bids for freedom. Mari Miller, curator at The Beautiful Cat Gallery, is working to have local independent bookstores begin selling the exhibition catalog.
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Open Applications
- Crossroads Critical Response Fund: The Critical Response Fund provides rapid response funding to protect, empower, and support communities during these heightened political moments and threats to movement building work. They aim to resource time-sensitive and unanticipated projects, organizing, mobilizations, and/or direct actions. Funding should be used within 6 months. The application deadline is April 30th.
- Co-Prosperity Exhibitions Open Call: Co-Prosperity has long been a hub for artists on the periphery- offering a space where new ideas and collaborations can thrive. Applications are now open for their 2026 solo window and group exhibitions. Priority is given to artists based in Chicago and the Midwest. Artists receive a stipend, professional documentation, mentorship and other support. The application deadline is May 4th at 11:59pm CT.
- USA Editor Safety Cohort Training Program: The Editor Safety Cohort training program brings together small groups of editors around the online course The Fundamentals of Safe Commissioning, allowing participants to dive deeper into course modules and apply the training to their own safety needs and practice through structured weekly webinars and a one to one online coaching session. All participants receive a certificate of completion. The application deadline is May 8th.
- Community Health Worker Program: One Roof Chicago's Community Health Worker Certificate Program will provide individuals with meaningful skills in an ever-growing career field while caring for at-risk and underserved populations in the community.
The program tuition is free. The 3-Part Certificate Program includes 4-week personal and professional development training at CARA Collective, 2 to 3 semester community health worker program at Malcolm X College, and an internship at Friend Health or another medical institution (opportunity for paid apprenticeship upon completion).
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Airwars: "A Long Return is a short film juxtaposing two videos along the same section of Salah al-Din Road, a main thoroughfare connecting north and south Gaza. Taken five years apart, in January 2020 and January 2025, the footage is synchronised to illustrate the full impact of the war in Gaza."
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Wisconsin Watch: “The Wisconsin Supreme Court is at the center of state politics. It has been since 2020, when it denied Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election, and has continued to make headlines — especially since flipping to liberal control in August 2023."
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InvestigateWest: “Three days later, Mickelsen said, ICE agents appeared at Mickelsen Farms, where a slew of varieties of commercial and seed potatoes grow across thousands of acres in southeastern Idaho."
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Inkstick Media: "...As long as a country has a robust opposition and elections that offer real opportunities for alternative parties to win office, the regime shift is not necessarily permanent."
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We craft this newsletter for you. If you have any comments or suggestions, please reply to this email and you might see your ideas implemented in our next issue.
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We have an open call for content from our partners to highlight the brilliant work they're doing in the community. If you are a current grantee or partner with The Reva and David Logan Foundation, please send your content to Sabrina Boggs, Communications Coordinator at sabrina(at)loganfdn(dot)org. Please note that we will not share fundraising campaigns.
Thanks for reading, and see you next time!
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