Respect South Shore

South Shore Chicago is one of America’s few majority Black beach front communities located in a major metropolis. On this episode of Respect South Shore, Tonya Trice (Executive Director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce and Community Development Corporation) and Jonathan Scott (Director of Real Estate for the South Shore Community Development Corporation) discuss the opportunities and realities of economic development in South Shore, including culture, commerce, community driven planning, the $1.8 billion dollars in annual income, and the $845 million dollars in spending that originates from, but then leaves, the South Shore community every year.  

South Shore QLP Lead Steward Tewodros Josef aka “Coach Crawford" sits down with Levante Stewart, founder of Lost Boyz Inc., to unpack why a collaborative, values-aligned approach is essential for community change in a fractured national climate. Stewart names ego as the biggest barrier to true collaboration and lifts up humility, shared focus, and shared values as the core ingredients. He breaks down youth development—and specifically sports-based youth development—as a practical path to build resilience, emotional intelligence, and public safety, drawing on his own journey (including programming he started while incarcerated) and its measurable impact. Stewart calls South Shore residents to get off the sidelines and engage, then candidly addresses current funding challenges threatening the work and what it will take to sustain it.

In this compelling episode of Respect South Shore: The Movement, Lead Steward Tewodros Josef Abioye (aka Coach Crawford) hosts a vital roundtable on public safety and community violence in the South Shore neighborhood. Joined by three dynamic community leaders—Mark Buford (real estate developer), Jo E. McAllister (Lost Boys Inc.), and Anthony Williams (Lawrence Hall and South Shore Reimagined Public Safety Act Convener)—the conversation dives deep into the roots of violence, the meaning of safety, and the critical role of culture, class, trauma, and community investment.

From personal memories of 71st Street to data-driven insights about who is most impacted by violence, this episode challenges long-held assumptions—particularly the myth that young people are the primary cause of violence. Listeners will hear about the importance of mental health, economic justice, environmental beauty, and civic pride in building a safe and thriving South Shore.

The panel doesn’t just analyze the problem—they call for action: collective vision, shared responsibility, and deeper investment from both residents and institutions.

Key Themes:

-      Public safety as community well-being

-      Violence as a symptom of disinvestment

-      Generational trauma and accountability

-      The divide between renters and homeowners

-      The role of presence, pride and purpose

-      The need for collective demands and a unified strategy