■ How West Siders celebrated Juneteenth PAGE 2
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2026
A GUIDE G TO O LOCAL OC DINING
FREE Vol. 40 No. 25
June 24, 2026 ■ Also serving Garfield Park ■ austinweeklynews.com
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INSIDE
Fashion meets disabilities at the Runway of Change Personal stories of inclusion and empowerment
EMMA BRADFORD
Journalist Laura Washington, Chicago CRED Founder Arne Duncan, Partnership for Safe and Peaceful Communities Executive Director Esther Franco-Payne, Institute for Nonviolence Chicago Founder Teny Gross, and Metropolitan Peace Initiatives Executive Director Vaughn Bryant were panelists at “The Art of Peace: 10-Year CVI Anniversary Celebration & Expo” on June 10.
Austin is becoming safer, but still has progress to make
A 10-year celebration of community violence intervention in Chicago highlights community outreach success By EMMA BRADFORD Intern Reporter
Austin remains one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Chicago. But while it is still among the top 15 for firearm-related homicide mortality rates in Chicago, Austin is becoming less violent with the help of community outreach organizations. On June 10, leading groups in community violence intervention (CVI) gathered to celebrate a decade of progress, innovation, and leadership at the Epiphany Center for the Arts for an See INTERVENTION on page 6
By HECTOR CERVANTES Contributing Reporter
Disability advocates, survivors and community members gathered Sunday at the Columbus Park Refectory for the “Runway of Change” fashion show, an event designed to celebrate inclusion, representation and empowerment for people with disabilities. The “Runway of Change” fashion show was organized by Azalia Mallory, founder of Limitless Free and United, and Jamaal Johnson, CEO of the Stay Up Foundation, both of which focus on disability empowerment and inclusion. The event featured adults and youth with disabilities modeling, sports-inspired fashion, while also providing recognition, resources and opportunities that highlight confidence, dignity and representation within the disability community. Throughout the event, speakers shared personal experiences related to their See FASHION on page 8
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