UnBlocked Englewood is a groundbreaking partnership between the Chicago Bungalow Association and artist-activist Tonika Johnson, addressing the personal and systemic consequences of Chicago’s segregation. This collaboration combines Tonika’s transformative vision with the Chicago Bungalow Association’s expertise in home preservation to revitalize the 6500 block of South Aberdeen in Englewood.
 
Building on Tonika’s seminal Folded Map Project, which connects residents at similar addresses in economically and racially distinct neighborhoods, UnBlocked Englewood takes a reparative approach to one of Chicago’s most disinvested areas. Englewood was profoundly impacted by mid-20th century discriminatory housing practices, which extracted an estimated $3.4 to $4.3 billion in wealth from aspiring Black homeowners in Chicago through predatory land sale contracts.
 
Through strategic home repairs, block beautification, and community-building, UnBlocked Englewood offers a powerful blueprint for restoring dignity and wealth to historically disinvested neighborhoods. With the Chicago Bungalow Association leading home repairs and the Englewood Arts Collective enhancing public spaces with art, this initiative demonstrates how focused revitalization can address systemic inequities while empowering residents to reclaim their neighborhood.
 
UnBlocked Englewood has already achieved significant milestones ➔➔➔ 
 
By helping residents repair their homes and acquire land, UnBlocked Englewood is laying the foundation for a stronger, more equitable, and self-determined Englewood. These accomplishments reflect the project’s deep commitment to creating lasting social and economic impact while addressing systemic inequities.​