Kennedy Shanks is a sophomore at Lindblom Math & Science Academy in West Englewood and a question about living in Chicago inspired her to found her group Minorities, Speak Up! to change how people see our great city.
According to a profile in the Sun-Times yesterday, a cousin's friend in Nebraska asked Kennedy during a family trip if Chicago was "really that bad" and if she knew someone who had been shot... it was shocking for her, so she decided to do something about it.
Minorities, Speak Up! is a group of high school and middle school students engaged in many activities to change that narrative.... and for the holidays, they're collecting warm clothing like coats, scarves and gloves plus toiletries to give to the homeless.
To support their efforts to help the homeless and show off the best of what Chicago can do, you can drop off items at State Farm Insurance, 1813 W. 87th Street from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m-1 p.m. Saturdays. You can also contact them at minoritiesspeakup@gmail.com and follow them at their Instagram account.
Go Kennedy!