Our goal with The Frunchroom is to provide a mix of perspectives: from the person who’s lived on the South Side for years to the newly arrived; from the South Loop to the 10th Ward.
Our next reader, Tamar Manasseh, is an example of someone whose story we hear often: A person who is working each day to make the South Side better for everyone.
Following the shooting death of Lucille Barnes in 2015, Tamar Manasseh, a mother of 2 who grew up in Englewood and now lives in Bronzeville, rallied several other mothers and established MASK (Mothers/Men Against Senseless Killings). In the summer of 2015, Tamar and other parents in the community took to their local corner daily to let everyone know that they’re watching.
MASK’s purpose is to put eyes on the streets, interrupt violence and crime, and teach children to grow up as friends rather than enemies. MASK’s primary mission is to build stronger communities through a focus on violence prevention, food insecurity, and housing. Additionally, MASK partners to ensure that community members have access to necessary city services, opportunities for education & professional skills growth, and economic development.
Tamar has also helped launch MASK initiatives in other Chicago neighborhoods, as well as cities throughout the nation, including Evansville, Indiana, Staten Island, New York, and Memphis, Tennessee.
Tamar will be reading a piece she has humor mixed with serious moments. Join us this Thursday the 19th at 730pm at Beverly Arts Center.
The Frunchroom 