Project H.O.O.D.’s ‘Summer Jam’ Is a Hit with Woodlawn Community

Woodlawn residents come together for Project H.O.O.D.’s “Summer Jam” Light in the Night event on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Summertime Chi was in full swing as Project H.O.O.D. hosted “Summer Jam” as part of the Light in the Night initiative, a Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) program aimed at reclaiming public spaces. The event took place Wednesday, July 17, 2024 in Woodlawn.

Community members of all ages enjoyed free food, music, face painting, a gaming truck, and more as they gathered well into the evening. Events are held throughout the year as a fun and unifying outlet where all are welcome.

Leonard “Bud” Salley, a Project H.O.O.D. Hospital Response Coordinator and Lead Light in the Night Coordinator, said that organizing such events are a labor of love for his community. From the early planning stages to serving food the day of, Salley is extremely involved in ensuring attendees have a great time.

“If you really care for the neighborhood and care for your community, you really want it to be nice every time,” Salley said. “[…] I like to be hands-on. I could have somebody else serve the food, but I like to be with the people. I love it.”

In an area that experiences its share of violence and trauma, Salley said he takes pride in knowing these events can bring peace and healing to his community.

“It’s so calm now. If you look around, there’s people here that haven’t stood around each other in over ten years,” Salley said. “It’s good for us in the Woodlawn area. We’re doing Light in the Nights in different neighborhoods, and that’s the good part. Everybody is comfortable.”

Tene Smith, owner of Chicago Paint and Twist, was also on-hand to lend her artistic skills. Groups of children eagerly stood in line to get images of animals, cartoon characters, flowers, and more etched on their faces, leaving them smiling ear to ear with memories to last.

“[My work] is to transform the human spirit. When a child gets their face painted, they smile and a smile is healing. I’ll transform a child and then their parents see it. And when the parents are happy and the organizers are happy, then the community is happy. It spreads to everybody.”

Tene Smith, owner of Chicago Paint and Twist, paints a young girl’s face with a colorful rainbow.

Project H.O.O.D. is one of 15 Chicago organizations representing CP4P, a coalition of nonprofit organizations focused on gun violence prevention across 28 neighborhoods.

To learn more about upcoming Light in the Night events, check the calendar here.