ORGANIZING AND ISLAM
Organizing in neighborhoods has taken two paths that reflect historicdichotomy between integrationist and nationalist strategies. Many topconununity leaders collaborate on urban issues through city’s grasgrootsnetwork, forging multi-racial coalitions, while others take blacknationalist approach, looking only within the African-American communityfor leadership and resources.
In first category are Ani Russell of communitypolicing network, 312-461-0444; Jacky Grimshaw, formerstrategist for Harold Washington now working an community transportationissues; 773-278-4800, ext. 133; and Barack Obama,773-684-4809, whose work to empower blacks has included his law practice,community organizing, philanthropy and most recently electoral politics: heis a candidate for state senate. A quiet leader with broad vision ofempowerment and redevelopment in the Grand Boulevard neighborhood isSokoni Karanja, 773-373-5700, whose nonprofit Centers forNew Horizons provides social services, youth programs, education and childcare.