Tag Archives: gun violence

Exploring Leadership and Legacy (feat. Wood Harris and more) – Ep. 11



In our 11th edition, hear actor Wood Harris discuss growing up on the West Side; Michele Clark High School principal Charles Anderson sheds light on his school’s achievements; guest speakers from our Black Table event explain the importance of legacy; Chicago Bulls point guard Ryan Arcidiacono reflects on his first NBA game; one participant recounts an unforgettable day of service; and BUILD youth share thoughts on leadership.


The Sounds of Summer! – Ep. 8



BUILD knows how to make the most of summer. In this episode we follow young people from our media program, and listen to some of the fantastic original content they created this summer. Including: Community Issue Spotlights/PSAs, summer program participant interviews, coverage from a community basketball event,  and an in-studio interview with founder of Forty Acres Fresh Market, Liz Abunaw.


“People Can Change”: Latee’s Story – Ep. 7



Police Cmdr. Ernest Cato remembers the night Latee was shot. He next saw the ‘troubled young man’ 3 years later at BUILD’s 50th Gala, as Latee told a packed ballroom about leaving the streets behind and his plans for college. Commander Cato was floored. We reunited the two for a moving in-studio discussion on gangs, violence, growing up on the west side, mentors, and success on this inspiring episode of BUILD Radio.


BUILDing Voices: 50 Years and Counting – Ep. 6



Our 6th installment features 5 youth public speaking pieces, youth interviews with African-American leaders, an interview with a local youth hip-hop artist, plus, spoken word from a BUILD alumnus, and a short piece celebrating 50 years of BUILD.


Power, Poetry, and Politics (US Sen Dick Durbin, artist/scholar Eve Ewing) – Ep. 3



Benjy and BUILD youth participants talk about voting, guns, gangs, and what they see in their communities. Also, US Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois, Writer/Scholar/Cultural Organizer Dr. Eve Ewing, and original spoken word poems from youth.


Chicago Bears BUILD (Charles ‘Peanut’ Tillman, Sam Acho) & Youth “Hip-Hopera” – Ep. 2



BUILD sits down with past Chicago Bears star cornerback Charles Tillman, current linebacker Sam Acho, and franchise chairman George McCaskey. Also, the premiere of youth written/performed 3-part hip-hopera, “The Saga of Terrence Jenkins”.


Saving Lives with Art and Music – Ep. 1



In our premiere episode we are introduced to BUILD, its executive director, and why such work is critical now. We also speak to a Cook County Commissioner, a reformed gang member, and hear song, story, and spoken word pieces from BUILD’s young people.