COMMUNITY
COUNCIL
To put the community’s needs and desires at the forefront of redevelopment, The Anchorage is partnering with West Side leaders and residents to explore how the creative campus can contribute to the neighborhood, honor the area’s rich cultural heritage, and provide space for joy, connection, and creativity.
La Shone Kelly
La Shone Kelly’s roots in Garfield Park span five generations. She is a leading expert and advocate for housing and better living, specific to Chicago’s West Side. Kelly is a founding member of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative and contributor to several quality of life plans specific to the Westside. She assisted in the development of The Hatchery, Fifth City Commons and Madison Skate Park.
Dantrell Dehart
Dantrell Dehart is a North Lawndale native with 10+ years in urban agriculture, Dantrell has worked with Gotham Greens, Herban Produce, Urban Growers Collective, PCC Austin and Kenneth Farms. He now runs his own farm, blocks from The Anchorage, growing food for the community, food banks, and nonprofits while passing his knowledge to his daughter (who joins him in the field each week).
Rello Jones
Rello Jones is a self-taught contemporary pop artist whose rubber-hose style and decade-long career have earned recognition from Chicago to the global stage. Nike, Google, and international art fairs are among his collaborators. He is the founder of Cherry Mountain, a nonprofit art center blending fine art and community engagement through self-love, identity, and cultural celebration.
Ariya Hawkins
Ariya is a Chicago-based performer, multidisciplinary theatre artist, and accessibility-centered arts educator. Her credits include Goodman Theatre, Lifeline Theatre, and national tours, including The Color Purple. As a teaching artist, she brings storytelling, civic engagement, and creative expression to universities and community spaces.
Major Purnell
Major Purnell is dedicated to the healing, development, and empowerment of young men and boys. He brings spiritual grounding and intentional mentorship to Chicago’s West Side as an advisor to several local nonprofits. He also supports more than 20 small businesses across the community through strategic guidance, relationship-building, and a commitment to neighborhood growth.
Michael Cox
Michael Cox is a Chicago graphic designer and founder of SoGoChicago. Born and raised on the West Side, Michael uses design to celebrate the culture, memories, language, and pride of the city that raised him. Since launching SoGoChicago in 2018, his work has grown into a creative expression of Chicago-especially the West Side communities that continue to inspire him.
Persephone Ross
Persephone Ross is a Chicago-based maternal health advocate, full-spectrum doula, birthworker and nursing professional with a decade of experience. Rooted in the West Side, she centers Black women, birthing people, families and marginalized communities. Her relationship-based practice honors culture, dignity, lived experience and the power families hold throughout their journeys.
Shaquira Croft
Shaquira Croft is a self-published author, poet, entrepreneur, youth entrepreneur coach, health advocate and herbalist. For over 10 years, she has empowered youth through mentorship, leadership development and entrepreneurship. As an educator and wellness advocate, Shaquira teaches herbalism and promotes plant-based wellness, economic empowerment, personal growth and community well-being.
The community council serves as ambassadors to The Anchorage, and they meet regularly to share insights and feedback by bringing community-rooted perspective into the decisions shaping the Anchorage.
COMMUNITY-BASED DESIGN
The Anchorage's community-centered ethos is reflected in its interior design, led by Norman Teague Design Studio.
The Anchorage’s design team was intentional about exploring Garfield Park’s heritage, resilience, and creative energy. They engaged over 100 residents and neighborhood nonprofits through interviews and surveys to learn what belonging looks like in a community space.
Each conversation focused on drawing out specific memories, music, smells, tastes, and feelings about what a welcoming environment could be. These community insights will be directly reflected in the design and layout of The Anchorage’s interior.