Feature spotlight: Charles Jenkins

Each day this week we will be spotlighting one of the first six "Lawndale: A Living History" featured elders and mentors on the blog. Today's spotlight: Charles Jenkins, whose photo can be found on the back end of the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot, facing Spaulding Avenue. Please visit his profile page on the Living History virtual exhibit for much more on Charles!

(c) 2020, Jay Simon

Charles Jenkins was born in Misssouri but has spent most of his life in Chicago and specifically in North Lawndale. He was here during the riots following the assassination of Dr. King, which he discusses in his oral history.

A man of many interests, Charles has worked in several industries, including thoroughbred horses. He serves on the board of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, having himself experienced homelessness; he has been active with CCH for 25 years and is a founding member of their speakers bureau. Today he serves as a mentor and role model for many others.

Charles is a leader with the North Lawndale-based organization Men Making a Difference, which has been a key partner in everything the Lawndale Pop-Up Spot has done since its inception. Charles organized the Spaulding block party that coincided with the opening of LPUS in 2019. Charles even chose the name "Lawndale Pop-Up Spot"!

Here's a clip of Charles talking with "Lawndale: A Living History" photographer and curator Jay Simon about his advice for young people. His key message: Stay woke!

Here was Charles at the unveiling of his photo.

Finally, we'd be remiss if we didn't share this great photo of Charles from our first Halloween Harvest event with Gardeneers in 2019.

Charles Jenkins as Black Panther, Halloween 2019