Community Voices Spark New Ideas, Resurrect Old Ones

YouSPOKE. WeLISTENED.

Community voices spark new ideas, resurrect old ones

Since its origination in 1969, CLC has always worked with community feedback. The college gathers input through community listening sessions, event feedback, surveys and many other touch points. Dedicated to providing cultural experiences the community wants, CLC is building its reputation as a community connector.

“Relationships and outreach the college does makes a difference,” said CLC President Dr. Lori Suddick. “Real growth is being made with individuals, grassroots organizations and local businesses. Thoughtful connections are being worked on intentionally.”

While there are endless opportunities ahead, CLC has made both big and small transformative connections with the community in response to input: BRUSH STROKES IN WAUKEGAN – ARTS-INTEGRATED COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROGRAMS Waukegan is a city with a rich history of the arts, and CLC is building its partnership with the community to promote that history and deepen connections through free workshops at the Lakeshore Campus. Organized by professional local artist and CLC instructor Katrina Davis-Salazar, these workshops encourage students to make art every day.

“In the future, cross-community promotion will help further position Waukegan as an arts center and uplift its vibrant artists. This beneficial connection between our college and Waukegan families will provide quality art programming to Lake County and eliminate barriers to youth to establish more working and diverse artists.” – Katrina Davis-Salazar

SPOTLIGHT THE PERFORMING ARTS AT THREE BROTHERS THEATRE When the theatre department first started performing 50 years ago, it did so out in the community because there was no performance venue at CLC. This spring, theatre students will bring their production back out to the community at Three Brothers Theatre in Waukegan.

CLC’s symbiotic relationship with theatre executive director Josh Beadle is a natural partnership between the academic performing arts programs and the Waukegan arts community. The performance of “I Have a Story to Tell” invites Black, Indigenous and people of color students and members of the community to the center of the creative storytelling process.

“We’re getting back to the beginning, the roots, of our department and reconnecting with our community partners.” – Theatre Department Chair Craig Rich

TAKING A STAND TO CAPTURE LOCAL BLACK HISTORY AT THE DUNN MUSEUM As part of an ongoing partnership with Lake County Forest Preserves, the Black Student Union at CLC played a pivotal role in the “Our Voice is Black History: Past, Present, Future” fall exhibit at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville. Lake County artists, students, faculty and community member voices came together to create a better understanding of the experiences of Lake County’s African American community. In pursuit of seizing a good learning opportunity, culinary and hospitality students catered the exhibit reception.

“Sometimes being able to creatively express yourself allows you to relieve stress and help your mental health in being able to really say what’s on your mind. This was a critical time to show we are part of the community and for our students to get experience leading a movement. It’s a way of showing our students how to be successful outside of the classroom,” said African-American Student Outreach Coordinator Beverly Phelps.