Our mission is to…

My Block My Hood My City is a South and West Side Chicago-based nonprofit organization founded in 2015 by Jahmal Cole. The inspiration for M3 emerged from Jahmal's experiences volunteering at the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center, where he observed that many teens had never ventured beyond their neighborhoods. Many teens had never been to the lake, never ridden in a taxi, never taken the elevator to the top of the Sears Tower. This realization highlighted the profound impact of limited exposure on individuals' perspectives and opportunities.

Jahmal Cole, Founder & CEO, My Block My Hood My City

To address the issue, Jahmal launched the Explorers Program, designed to broaden the horizons of underprivileged youth by introducing them to diverse cultures, cuisines, careers, and communities throughout Chicago. The program aims to inspire students to envision possibilities beyond their block or hood and take ownership of their city.

Over time, M3 expanded its scope to include community-focused programs like the One Block at a Time initiative, which mobilizes corporate volunteers to collaborate with residents on neighborhood improvement projects, Downtown Day which invites teens, who otherwise may not feel welcome in Chicago’s tourist and business corridors, to safely explore the Magnificent Mile and beyond, #SaveStreetball which reimagines Chicago’s outdoor basketball courts as a respite (rather than a cause) from neighborhood violence, and Be a Part of the Light which inspires hope and interrupts trauma by rallying volunteers to light up Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive with holiday decorations.

In recognition and support of our impactful work, we’re lucky to have worked with grant-making organizations including the MacArthur Foundation, Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation, and Robert R. McCormick Foundation as well as corporate sponsors including Aldi, Blue Cross/Blue Shield, JPMorgan Chase, and Wells Fargo.

Through our diverse and multifaceted lineup of programs and initiatives, My Block My Hood My City continues to empower Chicagoans, encouraging them to explore beyond their immediate surroundings and actively contribute to the betterment of their communities.