Executive Summary

As an intergenerational, Black-led grassroots community-based nonprofit organization, we boast a board, senior leadership, and staff who reflect the residents' social, economic, and political conditions in the south side Chicago neighborhoods where it is building community power. Through deep levels of engagement, KOCO has won concrete improvements such as more resources and services for seniors in 6 high rise housing developments, the re-opening of Dyett High School with a $14 million investment, $14 million in funding for youth employment initiatives, and a nationally recognized mutual aid initiative ‘KOCO Serves’ which has services 10,000 neighborhood families and seniors at the height of the COVID pandemic. KOCO also co-led a community coalition that successfully advocated for affordable housing units in communities adjacent to the Obama Presidential Center.

These campaign wins provide evidence to our community residents and the world of the effectiveness of grassroots organizing for building racial equality and economic mobility in underserved Black communities through systems and structural change. A KOCO member stated, “I see KOCO [Kenwood Oakland Community Organization] as our city hall. I look to them for information, to help find answers to my problems and see how I can help make the neighborhood better.”

KOCO has built a membership base of more than 900 intergenerational community residents. Our leaders are providing inspirational leadership in equity campaigns building political will for sustainable public schools, rent control laws, investments in youth leadership and jobs, senior bill of rights, and equitable access to Illinois’ clean energy economy.

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