BrownTown chops it up with Kiara Hardin and Infiniti Gant, multifaceted organizers with the Obama Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) coalition. Ten years since the announcement of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) on Chicago's South Side and five years since the passing of the Woodlawn Ordinance that ensured housing protections for some residents, the coalition has continued to organize to ensure affordable housing for more area residents, including and specifically South Shore. The gang compares and contrasts the political moment and opportunities from summer 2020, in the midst of the uprisings, to fall 2025 under a Brandon Johnson Mayoral Administration with a backdrop of a fascist takeover on the federal level. They end with a discussion on the interpersonal nature of community organizing at its root in relation to de-pedestalizing politicians in order to circumvent power to the people because when we fight, we win! Originally recorded September 10, 2025.

GUESTS
Kiara Hardin is a dynamic project manager and organizational strategist with a passion for creative, collaborative solutions that center the needs and priorities of the Black community. With a strong focus on capacity-building, Kiara partners with Black-led and Black-focused organizations to create anti-authoritarian systems that fortify organizational infrastructure and promote sustainable growth. Her work, driven by a commitment to social equity, particularly addresses the social determinants of health. A dedicated community organizer, Kiara played a key role in the organizing efforts behind the South Shore Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) ordinance, working alongside local residents to fight for equitable development and protect long-standing Black communities from displacement. Through this campaign, she is helping build grassroots power, elevate community voice, and ensure that public policy reflects the lived experiences and demands of South Shore residents. Follow Kiara on Instagram and Linkedin.

Infiniti is an incredibly motivated, astute, and empathetic community organizer with the willingness to push beyond previous experiences to contribute innovative ideas and creations. A skilled public speaker, researcher, organizer, independent worker, and team player, she's all about freedom and committed to using those skills for building people power for her community.

Follow the Obama CBA on Instagram and Twitter. Follow Southside Together on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!

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Other topics mentioned:

• Correction: The shirt Caullen describes, the Panthers were at the County Courthouse, not City Hall
• Original Obama Center announcement
• 2020 Uprisings Coverage & SoapBox Media
  • Lightfoot's Tent City Occupation & all-day protest
  • Ep. 55 - Obama CBA from July 2020
  • Micro-Doc on Obama CBA
  • Uprisings Media
• South Korean Hyundai factory workers detained (PBS)
• Chicago Ward/Neighborhood/Community Area Info (1, 2, 3)
• Average Median Income (AMI) per City of Chicago
• No New Prisons Campaign and Gov. Pritzker

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CREDITS: Intro and outro soundbites from SoapBox's Obama CBA micro-doc. Audio engineering by Kassandra Borah. Episode photo provided by Infiniti Gant.

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