Your friendly neighborhood superheroes

When the COVID-19 pandemic thrust people around the world into ongoing uncertainty, President Obama shared words of encouragement with a group of Chicago organizers who were working tirelessly to support their neighbors.

After President Obama urged the group to come together to create an even bigger impact, Rodney “Hot Rod” Washington, Briana “Bri” Smith, Ashley Nicole, and Evanescia “EvieTheCool” Thompson took his words to heart.

The Chicago organizers combined their individual efforts to form Powers for Good, an initiative where they use their talents, resources, and passions to strengthen their neighborhoods. “We are all superheroes in our own way, so let's all come together,” Rodney said. “That was our big thing. Let’s be superheroes to the community.”

To the members of Powers for Good, showing up with love for their neighbors is at the core of what they do, even if the group does it in different ways. “We want to create educational equity and financial stability, but we also want to create healthy, happy, and loving spaces for our community,” said Bri Smith. “We want the hood to be a happy place for all. The energy from one house transfers to the next, so it’s important to treat your community like family. Especially in Chicago, where everyone claims to be cousins anyways.”

Beginning in June, they poured money and time into repairing Black- and Latinx-owned businesses that were looted during this summer’s social unrest. They hosted an event, A Taste of Black Excellence, where they passed out free family meals and essential care packages to neighbors in need. As the fall approached, they encouraged their neighbors to be civically engaged, encouraging them to complete the census and register to vote. With a tough winter season ahead, Powers for Good are coming up with even more ways to check in on their neighbors.

Hear directly from these inspiring and energetic leaders about why it’s especially important to check on neighbors right now, then commit to checking on your own neighbors.

Growing up, my neighbors were my honorary relatives. If my parents didn’t have food or had to run somewhere, I could have dinner with my neighbors. Likewise, my parents would take the other kids in our building on neighborhood field trips to the skating rink, Chuck E. Cheese, or the beach. My grandma would make us healthy meals, which was something that we hadn’t experienced because we lived in food deserts. On the broke days, we’d hoop on crates in the alley, make up dance routines, play kickball in the alley, or have water balloon fights while my other grandma played the piano outside. Those experiences allowed us kids to be kids and maintain our innocence. We didn’t have much money, but we had a block filled with love.

Today, the world is filled with grief, isolation, and financial stress. There are so many senior citizens dying alone and so many young people raising themselves. It’s important to check on your neighbor because everyone wants to feel loved. It’s human nature. Powers for Good taps into our community and reaches out to people who feel like they’ve been forgotten. We make sure everybody eats, and we do our work with a nobody-left-behind vibe. We’re going to make sure our people are good.

Inspired? Commit below to check on your neighbor or  view our tips to help you get started.

As an adult, I can honestly say that Briana Smith is my favorite neighbor, friend, and co-conspirator. During my toughest times she not only welcomed me into her home, but she showed me unconditional love. She played a huge part in helping me get my life together. Bri is an individual that has given her heart to the city and does so much good for the people. It is truly an honor to not only call her a friend, but also a partner in Powers For Good.

Even though I’m not originally from Chicago, I absolutely love the power and people of the South Side. I really admire how the community comes together to support each other in spite of hardship and tragedy. The South Side embodies the spirit of Chicago as a city of hope.

Your neighbors are a part of the community; showing care for them builds unity. When we show love we tend to get it back, and spreading that energy is so important. We never know what our neighbors may be going through, but we almost always have the power to help them.

Commit below to check on your neighbor or  view our tips to help you get started.

Everyone was connected on the block I was raised on. I miss the times when we could have block club parties, where all the neighbors would come out, talk, eat, and spread love. My favorite neighbors were definitely the kids I grew up with. We all protected each other on Vanderpoel Ave.

My parents always taught me to be kind to everyone and to give off the energy you would want to be given. A neighbor could as easily be family. Even if we’re not related by blood, living side by side makes me want to protect those around me and make sure they are doing well.

In addition to Powers for Good events, Rodney hosts community bike rides as part of his  #PepRallyTakeOver+ (Opens in a new tab) initiative.

Throughout my upbringing I moved a lot, but my family always resided on the North Side of Chicago. I used to hate moving until I realized that I got to meet people from all walks of life. The best memories for me were when I would just run into an old neighbor randomly and we would have free-flowing conversations about anything and everything. It’s like, no matter how much time or distance that comes between us, we always find our way back home through interactions. It’s always so organic and pure, and I love it. My favorite neighbor is definitely Irma Rizzo. When I met her she was a 19-year-old who was a camp counselor at Pottawatomie. She looked after me and my siblings Jigga, Jasmin, and Bri. She taught us Spanish and made sure we were always well-mannered, even when our parents weren’t around. She made sure that we stayed active in sports and arts programs, and she allowed us to participate in camp even when we couldn’t afford it.

Loving our neighbors like we love ourselves helps create a tight-knit village. It takes a village to raise children, grow our communities, and be the change we want to see. I believe our neighbors are our family, so checking in and spreading love comes naturally to me. We all we got! We can have a good time, laugh, and smile with each other, and we can all do small things like helping our neighbors bring in the groceries from time to time.”

Commit below to check on your neighbor or  view our tips to help you get started.

Our mission is to inspire, empower, and connect people to change their world, and we are thrilled to see how a virtual conversation with our neighbors contributed to Rodney, Briana, Evanescia, and Ashley’s push to do even more good for our hometown.