"Community development begins by developing the community’s most precious asset, its people."
The Lugenia Burns Hope Center was founded in 1994, by our country's most well known community organizer, President Barack Obama and MacArthur Foundation Fellow, Centers for New Horizon’s CEO, Dr. Sokoni Karanja. We are a leadership development and community organizing institute located in the historic Bronzeville community.
04/13/2026
Community Groups file lawsuit against Chicago Housing Authority. On March 17th, the CHA had an illegal vote for their CEO. There was an Open Meetings Act violation. There was not proper notice to the community about this important vote.
Act now! Click link to sign petition in support of rescinding this illegal vote.
Sign the Petition Rescind CHA’s Secret CEO Vote and Restore Transparency
03/04/2026
This week we announced the formation of the CBA for the 78 coalition. This coalition is led by the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, People Matter and Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC). This coalition is committed to putting community first in the development of the 78th neighborhood. Our tax dollars should not go toward building exclusive communities or pushing neighboring residents out of their homes through gentrification.
Website
https://cbafor78.org/
02/17/2026
Join us tonight
02/13/2026
Support Illinois Voting Rights Act
Sweeping voting-rights legislation emerged Thursday to strengthen the hands of Illinois judges to take control of disputes over redistricting and give expanded safeguards to non-English speaking voters.
02/10/2026
Support the LSC Community Democracy Bill
02/09/2026
Support the Illinois Voting Rights Act. Contact us at 833-312-HOPE (4673) or our Southern Illinois office at (618) 623-0103.
10/15/2025
This past weekend we took our first trip of the Hope Black Heritage Series. We took an intergenerational group to Memphis Tennessee. We visited the National Civil Rights Museum, the W.C. Handy Father of the Blues Museum, Historical Beale Street, I AM A MAN Plaza, Slave Haven Underground Railroad Museum, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Reflection Park. We were fortunate to have Ms. Elaine Turner, one of the famous Lee sisters of Memphis to be ourctour guide. We will be visiting 2 more destinations in 2026!!!’