Center on Halsted

🎷 Join us for an unforgettable Jazz Brunch at Center on Cottage Grove!

Enjoy live jazz by Sonic Healing, a delicious brunch from Daley's, stunning photography, bottomless mimosas, and great company.

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
⏰ 11 AM–2 PM
📍 6323 S. Cottage Grove Ave.

Bring your friends and brunch with us! Register here: https://host.nxt.blackbaud.com/registration-form/?formId=a8aae703-5f13-41a7-8c01-782f884b74fd&envId=p-pQDG1976-0GYhmEMz8qXcg&zone=usa

- today our Silver Fork Culinary Arts job readiness program started cohort 50!!!

It’s always a great opportunity to drop in & say a hello & introduce myself to the cohort members. A round of applause to all the community partners & funders/supporters that make our Silver Fork program possible & a special thanks to Chef Urban & Chef Braden for their leadership.

To find out more information about this program please take a look at our website - https://www.centeronhalsted.org/education-employment

Join us for an inspiring evening celebrating Love, Your Trans Big Sister with Chicago author Zia Varajon.

Enjoy a live reading, conversation moderated by Monica Beverly Hillz, a special performance by Sasha Love, and an opportunity to connect with community.

📅 September 2 | 6–8 PM
📍 Center on Halsted - 3656 N Halsted St

Register here: https://www.centeronhalsted.org/events/love-your-trans-big-sister-a-reading-conversation-celebration

At Center on Halsted, we’re proud to connect our community with programs that support self-expression and personal growth.

Members of our community recently participated in Jumpstart, a free three-week voice training program offered in partnership with .voice. Through expert coaching and guided practice, participants explore and develop a voice that feels authentic to them.

Across the program, 95% of participants report a greater sense of purpose and belonging.

Jumpstart runs multiple times throughout the year. Learn more about upcoming cohorts and register for free at undeadvoice.com/joinjumpstart.

🌈 Ready to WERQ?

Registration is now OPEN for WERQ!, Center on Halsted’s annual LGBTQ+ Career Fair.

Join us for a day of networking, career exploration, and conversations with employers committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion. Whether you’re actively job searching or simply exploring what’s next, WERQ! is a great place to make new connections.

Free to attend!
Register here: https://www.centeronhalsted.org/events/werq

- yesterday, members of our COH team attended the Pride South Side event.

Kudos & great job to Pride South Side on another year of a fun community event.

I had the opportunity to share my own thoughts about the work, the importance of community, & love during a podcast set. Super appreciative of the opportunity to talk more about our work & highlight our programs & services.

Connect with fellow LGBTQ+ business owners for a morning of networking and conversation, including a panel with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Learn about resources for growing your business, building inclusive workplaces, and the momentum that continues long after Pride Month.

📅 Tuesday, July 14, 2026
🕤 9:30 am to 11 am
📍 Center on Halsted | 3656 N Halsted St

Register here: https://ow.ly/4eq450ZjhZJ

Meet our moderator, Ryan Ken (they/them), for Black Futures: Community Meets the Moment ✨

Ryan will be joined by an incredible panel of community leaders:

🎤 Daniel Will (he/him), founder of Daniel’s Test Kitchen, an LGBTQ+ and Black owned Chicago pop up restaurant and catering brand.

🎤 Chinyere “Chi” Achebe (she/her), community advocate, cultural strategist, and co leader of Black Film Club Collective.

🎤 Dr. Symone Johnson (she/her), scholar of African American folklore, Black anthropological tradition, and Assistant Professor of African and Black Diaspora Studies at DePaul University.

Together, they’ll explore community, resilience, and how we can continue showing up for one another during times of uncertainty.

🎟️ Register through the link in our bio! The first 30 registrants will receive one complimentary drink ticket.

Next Week! 🌈

Join Center on Halsted at Center on Cottage Grove on Wednesday, July 8 for a Pride in Aging Lunch & Learn featuring Marie Brown, Founder & CEO of Soulful Hands Home Care.

Learn about the differences between home health and home care while connecting with community over lunch.

Free • No registration required • Ages 55+
$50 Jewel Gift Card will be raffled off!
📍 6323 S. Cottage Grove

We want to take a moment to celebrate our CEO, Joli Robinson, for being named to GO Magazine’s 100 Women We Love Class of 2026.

We’re so proud to see Joli recognized among a remarkable group of leaders making a difference in their communities and beyond.

Congratulations, Joli! 🌈

Read the full feature at GO Magazine: https://ow.ly/Jqz450ZhyXh