21st Ward Candidate envisions a new ward, wants community input

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BY TIA CAROL JONES

The first thing that led her to run was a series of shootings that took place close to her oldest son’s school.

“Children are 1, legally required to be at school, but 2, having to look my kid in the face and explain to him that a place where he’s supposed to feel safe is not safe was heartbreaking,” she said. There was a lack of response from the elected officials about the shootings she added.

The second thing was having a nineyear old come into her backyard and play for three hours. “To me, that said that kid was so desperate for a place to be a child, that he was willing to break into a strangers’ backyard just to have a moment of peace,” she said, adding that her backyard is designed for her children to play because the parks are not necessarily safe, infrastructure-wise. For Clark, the backyard incident really highlighted the need for affordable or free programming for children.

Currently, Clark is the program director for the Ready to Work program, which is hosted at the Hope Center Foundation. She works with young people ages 16-24 in the program, which provides job readiness skills and training. She also is the executive assistant for retired Congressman Bobby Rush. Prior to that, she was the Community Advocate and Executive Assistant for Rush.

Ayana Clark, candidate for 21st Ward Alderperson, currently works as the Program Director for Ready to Work, a program that provides job training to young people 16-24. She has built a network of more than 400 community organizations. Photo provided by Ayana Clark.

she needs to reform them. As a Community Advocate for Rush, what she heard from people is they felt left behind by their Alderpeople, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Our Seniors, especially, were in dire need of resources and there was nobody at the local level doing the work to connect them with those resources they need,” she said.

Clark wants a 21st Ward she can raise her children in. According to Clark, the way it looks right now, it isn’t a safe and productive place for her children. She goes outside of the 21st Ward for activities, with the exception of The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center Chicago, located at 1250 W. 119th St. She wants to create a coalition of people who live, work and play in the 21st Ward. Her overall vision is to empower the community with the knowledge and resources they need to hold elected officials accountable, but to also create a ward that represents the vision of the residents.

“I can talk about my vision all I want, but I’m not the only person who has to live here. So, every policy and everything I’m trying to put in place is designed to give the larger community a say in what happens in our neighborhood,” Clark said.

The New 21st Ward is about 65% of the 34th Ward and 40% was the old 21st Ward. Clark is committed to going block by block and finding out the needs of the residents.

Clark worked with the Counting On Chicago Coalition to get people counted during the 2020 Census. She also is an alumnae of Young Invincibles, an organization focused on people ages 18-34 whose mission is to amplify the voice of young people in the political process and expand economic opportunities for people in that age group. She is an alumnae of the Obama Foundation Community Leadership Corps, as well as the Congressional Black Caucus Institute’s Political Bootcamp.

The things Clark has been through in her life have prepared her to run for office. Every system she had to navigate has been something she now wants to reform. Her childhood was spent in homeless shelters and having to deal with different agencies really taught her the shortcomings of them. That experience has given her the insight

Clark acknowledges there is a difference between politics and government. Government is getting on the ground and working toward the betterment of people, while politics are cliques and dinners. Working with Rush, she attended community meetings, so she is familiar with the big issues of the 21st Ward and the way different levels of government are going to have to work together accordingly.

Clark has built up a network of more than 400 organizations throughout the city, the state and federal level. She created a resource guide that she has been distributing while she has been knocking on doors. “This is not a part-time job; it really does have to be a way of life if you’re going to make an impact. There are a lot of elected officials who move unilaterally, but when people speak up, we can really get people to move,” she said.

CTO and “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses” to Help Small Business Owners Grow, Create Jobs, and Gain Access to Capital

Chicago, IL – Chicago entrepreneurs will have a new opportunity to develop their small business, thanks to a structured, intuitive, innovative, business education program through a partnership between the Chicago Treasurer’s Office (CTO) and Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses. The 15-week business education program will help entrepreneurs gain access to capital and learn practical skills across a broad range of topics. The program is available at no cost to the small business owner.

“The CTO is delighted to be part of another financial education program that will help entrepreneurs and small business owners prosper and help build strong sustainable communities, and long-term wealth,” said Treasurer Conyears-Ervin.

The program will accept enrollment applications from business owners through the June 6th application deadline for the Fall program that will begin in September 2023.

To qualify:

• Must be the owner/co-owner

• Business in operation for at least 2 years

• Business revenues of at least $75,000 in the most recent fiscal year

• Minimum of 2 full time employees (can include the owner)

To apply, visit “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.”

“Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses is excited to be partnering with the CTO to help provide small businesses with access to the tools and resources needed to grow their revenues and create jobs at rates that outperform the broader economy,” said Audrina Green Hawkins, Outreach Director, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses.

The CTO will recruit and enroll growth-oriented entrepreneurs in the program from across the entire city. Participating business owners will receive one-on-one business advising and expert guidance from Goldman Sachs professionals. In addition to these services, business owners unable to obtain traditional loans and other sources of credit will have access to Goldman Sachs’ network of CDFIs and other mission-driven lenders for help securing capital –at no cost to participants.

In addition, entrepreneurs will have access to a network of business leaders, advisors, trained faculty, and other small business owners, who will share expert advice and information on topics such as financial statements, negotiation, marketing, and employee management. The goal is to help them develop a customized business plan that will enable them to grow — all at no charge.

The “Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses” was designed by Babson College, one of the nation’s leading entrepreneurship schools. After six months of completing the program, 72% of its graduates had increased revenues and 50% created additional jobs.

For a program application and additional information please click here, and to review a “10,000 Small Businesses” video visit YouTube. For a schedule and complete list of the CTO’s free financial education programs, videos, tips, and additional information for building a more prosperous future, visit the City Treasurer’s Office.