The completion of the first permanent campus for the North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN) was celebrated with an Open House on August 26, 2021. Held on-site at 1111 South Homan Avenue, the event included a ribbon cutting and was attended by prominent local officials including Toni Preckwinkle and Alderman Michael Scott, Jr.

This adaptive reuse project saw the former Community Bank of Lawndale, the first African American-owned bank in the neighborhood, transformed into a vibrant community hub. The design is driven by NLEN’s aim to create a connection between the site and the community, supporting its residents with pathways to economic prosperity. In front of NLEN’s main entry, a former parking lot has been transformed into a landscaped public plaza.

Larry Kearns shares remarks at NLEN’s Grand Opening

Guests enjoy Sweet Beginnings café offerings.

WKA’s Larry Kearns and Emmanual Garcia pose with Barbara Palms Barber, the President of NLEN and CEO of Sweet Beginnings.