One Chicago, One Nation Launch
By Erin Williams
On January 13th, Allah Made Me Funny’s Azhar Usman and Rami Nashashibi, the Executive Director of Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN) appeared on Chicago Public Radio’s Vocalo.org to bring attention to One Chicago, One Nation. The humor and insight they brought to their Vocalo.org interview carried over into the energy they brought with them the next night, on January 14th, where Azhar and Rami spoke to over 657 people at the launch of One Chicago, One Nation at the Chicago Cultural Center. Also taking the stage were poet Kevin Coval; journalist and producer Bill Kurtis; co-founder and convener of United Congress, Rev. Patricia Watkins; President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, Terry Mazany; CEO of One Nation, Henry Izumizaki; Vice President & General Manager of Link TV, Wendy Hanamura; Executive Director of Interfaith Youth Core, Eboo Patel; Associate Director for Religious Diversity at DePaul University, Dr. F. Javier Orozco; and youth from Imagine Englewood If and JCUA’s Or Tzedek. Launch attendees also got to listen to music (and watch breakdancing!) from Seneke Ensemble, Duzan Ensemble, Indigo, and DJ David Chavez. Profiled by The New York Times , The Chicago Tribune, The Chicago Sun Times, Gapers Block, and NonProphet Status, the launch catalyzed Chicago toward working together on common projects for the common good.
To get involved, apply to be a Community Ambassador (applications due March 19!) or submit your film to the One Chicago, One Nation film contest (http://www.linktv.org/onechicago) (submissions due April 23rd)!
