Trinity shares next steps for history initiative

With spoken word, sharp dialogue and a call for collective action, Trinity Christian College brought students, civic leaders and organizers together Wednesday, Nov. 19, for the “History for Community Organizing” event inside the Art and Communication Center lobby at 6601 W. College Drive.

The two-hour program opened its doors early to a steady flow of attendees who gathered for what organizers described as an “informative, inspiring, and interactive” look at the future of the History for Community Organizing project. Hosted by Trinity’s History Department, the event invited historians, educators, community organizers and students from across the Chicago region to imagine new possibilities for collaboration.

The program included remarks from Trinity Acting President Jeanine Mozie and Dr. John Fry, associate vice president for academic affairs, dean of faculty and professor of history. Fry reflected on the history of Trinity’s history department, noting that by the end of this academic year, the college will have graduated 222 history and history education majors since the programs began.

“We are small in terms of the number of faculty and the number of students, but we are mighty,” Fry said. He noted that history was one of Trinity’s original disciplines and that graduates have gone on to work in higher education, nonprofit organizations, government service and more. “There is a strong connection between people who study the past and people that have stories that should be shared,” he added.

Pastor CJ Gidron-Gee, a 2025 Trinity graduate, delivered a spoken word performance titled “The Significance of a Footprint.” His address blended memory, place and the enduring impact of community presence.

A panel discussion followed, featuring Dr. David Brodnax Sr., professor of history at Trinity; LoLita Canady, president of the Rosemoor Community Association; and De’Amon Harges, founder and “social banker” of The Learning Tree. Dr. Sky Michael Johnston, assistant professor at Trinity, moderated the discussion and emphasized the power of bringing historians and civic leaders together.

Johnston also highlighted Trinity’s application for the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Humanities Initiatives at Colleges and Universities grant. NEH, an independent federal agency, funds humanities research, education, preservation and public programs through a competitive, peer-reviewed process that supports institutions such as museums, libraries, historical sites and universities. The grant proposal is currently under review, with an award announcement expected in December 2025. Johnston noted that, if awarded, the project could also potentially connect with Trinity’s teach-out partner schools and universities as part of broader collaboration efforts.

Panelists explored themes of listening, mapping community assets, recognizing local leadership and using historical understanding as a tool for empowerment. They noted the shared challenges facing neighborhoods across Chicago and the importance of long-term relationship building in effective organizing.

Audience members took part in an open mic Q&A, raising questions about youth engagement, community trauma, partnership building and sustaining grassroots efforts. The event closed with small-group conversations and networking throughout the lobby.

Organizers said the gathering underscored a growing partnership between Trinity’s History Department and civic leaders across the region, with hopes of expanding collaborative projects in the months ahead.