Conclusion: What Does It Look Like to Thrive?

“People should be able to see themselves in the places they live. Do they see themselves reflected in the community, the businesses, the cultural spaces?” – Humboldt Park Latinx non-profit leader

Across all the interviews, respondents emphasized that their social justice efforts, community-directed activities to address economic barriers, and the persistent lack of funding to Black and Latinx communities were not new to COVID-19. However, the pandemic has deeply exacerbated the need felt in communities and expanded the number of people who were struggling financially, as well as socially and emotionally. Several mentioned that city and national leadership were remarkably innovative when meeting big businesses' needs but seemed to lack creativity when it came to helping vulnerable communities. They also referenced the innovation and strengths of communities as cornerstones of any recovery efforts. Several mentioned that thriving requires leaving behind a scarcity mindset. Communities cannot thrive if they continue to divide the same limited resources. To support thriving communities, decision-makers must reexamine all the resources and expand what is available to disinvested communities. Respondents emphasized that thriving requires power and agency within and across communities, with residents shaping and driving the reforms.

Most of all, the community leaders interviewed dreamed of good places to live. Respondents across the city and suburbs spoke of thriving commercial districts with healthy food and safe spaces for people to exercise, relax, and have fun. They envisioned beautiful spaces where people could easily access what they needed without driving long distances or sitting on the Pace bus for hours. Several people mentioned the need for communities to get to dream and reinvent their neighborhood. A thriving community was described by several as a sanctuary where people could see themselves and their culture reflected in beautiful ways. For at least a few, this included a community where artists could be viable business owners without having to work night and day to support themselves.

Access to good paying jobs and economic opportunity was one of the most prominent themes in envisioning a thriving community. Respondents envisioned various creative funding sources to allow young people, workers, and artists to build their own businesses. In some communities, this meant building credit unions and government funding for urban banks similar to existing rural lending projects. Several talked about the need for starter capital to even participate in city business development initiatives. Several spoke about the need for changing the narrative around South suburban, South Side, and Far West Side communities to address stigma.

For most, a thriving community depended on access to good-paying, stable, skilled jobs. Several spoke of the need for anti-racist hiring policies and employers who would just give people a chance and support mental health. More than one envisioned trauma-informed hiring and HR practices. Leaders imagined new job opportunities to replace lost public sector jobs formerly held by the Black middle class and creative supports to help gig workers thrive. Others mentioned the dream for equal pay for women of color and what a positive impact that would have on the neighborhood economy.

Good housing was also an essential part of a handful of interviewees’ visions. Many imagined a community where people wouldn’t have to spend the majority of their income on housing. A few Latinx leaders talked of allowing people to stay where their families and cultural heritage were instead of being priced out and moving hours away from everything they knew. Leaders dreamed of creative solutions for homeownership, struggling mom and pop landlords, affordable housing without public housing, housing connected to workforce development, and the high number of suburban homeless youth. Housing solutions raised by participants reflected the specific issues facing each community (e.g. gentrification, loss of housing stock). One participant specifically mentioned that thriving would require exactly that—housing solutions tailored to the needs of different communities.

For a few, better funding for schools and a redesigned curriculum that looked less like a military academy and more like a place for children to thrive and grow were part of this thriving community. Smaller class sizes, meaningful education, and mental health supports in schools were all part of the picture.

Finally, addressing the harms of racism was part of the thriving community envisioned by a few leaders. One imagined a community with federal reparations, including access to capital, appreciation for assets, and forgiveness of student loan debt. Others imagined the white community stepping up to address racism and level the playing field for Black people in particular.