As L!VE approaches its first year anniversary celebration, we invite you to share in the launch of our new product line, soy candles that are reminiscent of 6 of our favorite drinks in the cafe! Join the "Let Our Light Shine" Campaign, and spur on this new partnership between New Moms/Bright Endeavors, an Austin-based non-profit that supports teen moms and their children using social enterprise as one component for job creation.

Posted: Thursday, February 15, 2018

Molly Sackler, Oak Park Resident & L!VE Lover, shares a piece that she created at the Oak Park Working Moms: Working it Through, Part II Gathering

Posted: Thursday, July 13, 2017

On Tuesday, June 20, 2017, 32 women from or affiliated with the Oak Park Working Mom Facebook group, came together at L!VE Café & Creative Space with the objective to be together, face-to-face, life-on-life, to experience one another, and to practice the artful skill of resting in tension together, as we shared burning statements, essential questions, possible responses, and preliminary next steps to continuing our discourse and recourse on how to be together well in this community and beyond. Reesheda Graham-Washington, owner of L!VE, moderated the "curated conversation," Shelena Johnson, L!VE's Curated Experiences Intern, captured some of our thoughts and expressions, and Jontisha Graves, neighbor & Library Media Assistant at Percy Julian Middle Schools compiled a photo-journal of the experience. Below are some of the notes and photos that were captured of the event.

Posted: Wednesday, June 21, 2017

In the last few weeks, I have had the incredible gift of being immersed in storytelling! It has been a remarkable experience, and I have learned lessons, great and small, simply from submitting myself as a listener with no agenda other than to know the teller more deeply and to glean from what I hear, nuggets for my journey to L!VE!

Posted: Thursday, June 8, 2017

"A Continuation Rather than a Beginning" This issue focuses on where we are in our history and how we can be present to it in ways that cause us to thrive.

Posted: Wednesday, March 15, 2017

As I examine the landscape of our country this morning, particularly on the heels of this week’s election, I can’t help but acknowledge the pervading sense that nobody won. In fact, a quick overview of any media outlet today seems to underscore one thing for certain: All of us are suffering. Those of us who were giddy, looking forward to the reception of the first female president of the United States, or those of us who, while not so excited about the democratic nominee, but still took solace in the expectation that the current national agenda would,

Posted: Thursday, November 10, 2016

These days, I have been pondering quite a bit about what it takes for me to L!VE deeply into my full identity. And as I explore this notion, it leads, more often than not, to more questions: How do I exist unapologetically in a world that perpetually mandates my gratitude and perpetually requests that I ask forgiveness for being just who I am? How will people work to relieve me of my gifts and talents, and what parts of me will they want to leave behind? What will be stolen away with no citation; not even a

Posted: Friday, October 28, 2016

Join Us on the Journey!!! Thinking about starting something? Unsure of what the journey will look/feel like? Listen to our new, 2-3 minute “Stories on the Journey” segments, as we chronicle the journey to the Opening of L!VE Cafe in Fall 2016! Take a glimpse into the story of Reesheda N. Graham-Washington, CEO of L!VE, as she, the L!VE team, and all of the amazing people they encounter do life together and discover themselves and one another in the process! We want to L!VE with YOU!!!

Posted: Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Come Join Our Team!!! We have been on the journey to our grand opening since January of this year, and the time has FINALLY come! Over the last two weeks, we experienced our first round of interviews, and from them, we have been able to acquire 6 amazing baristas/event coordinators for L!VE Café. About a third of these candidates are from Oak Park, a third are from the Austin community, and a third are from surrounding Chicago neighborhoods.

Posted: Monday, October 24, 2016

Visit kincity.org for more Kin City episodes.

Posted: Thursday, October 6, 2016

This summer, I learned more deeply, the value and importance of pruning. As the season was gradually revealing itself, I was pouncing on the opportunity to kick winter out–to let her know that her services were no longer needed! I wanted to find the most salient way to convey to her that she was simply no longer welcome here! I had decided I would put bright pink geraniums in the two large pots sitting on my bungalow stoops, a neon sign, flashing at winter—we are closed to you, and open to all of what summer has to

Posted: Tuesday, September 6, 2016

MEET ANNA GOLLADAY What does it look like when people of faith embrace the idea that not only are we all created intimately and fully in the image of God, but that we also each are entitled to the bounty that God has for us? What does it mean for a faith community or church facility to work toward a footprint that encourages energy and channels funding in the direction of entrepreneurs? What would our church facilities look like if we were buzzing with activity Monday through Friday versus only on our high holy days? How can

Posted: Thursday, July 21, 2016

In April/May I had the privilege of being a panelist and speaker at The Parish Collective’s Inhabit Conference in Seattle, Washington and The Conspire Gathering in Cincinnati, Ohio. I had a wonderful time seeing old friends who stand with us in solidarity in rooted, place-based, asset-based, Christian community development principles and practices. By far, the highlight of the experience was meeting so many remarkable leading ladies who are integrating transformative community development in the places they call their own. Each of them are integrating ABCD practices into the work they are doing WITH community, though not all

Posted: Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Visit replacingchurch.org for more from Replacing Church.

Posted: Monday, May 16, 2016

This past month I had the privilege of being a panelist and workshop leader at The Parish Collective’s Inhabit Conference in Seattle, Washington. I had a wonderful time seeing old friends who stand with us in solidarity in rooted, place-based, asset-based, Christian community development principles and practices...

Posted: Sunday, May 1, 2016

On March 29th, in solidarity with friends/colleagues whose work examines social exclusion at Adler University, I had the transformational experience of participating in a social exclusion simulation process. Now in the spirit of full disclosure, I have leaned towards a skeptical view of simulations, at best, for many reasons. I have often wondered if “simulating” challenging conditions in the world subtly and quietly strips marginalized people groups of their dignity and voice, minimizing opportunities for them to share their own stories. Likewise, given the institutional context in which these simulations often occur, I have often been concerned that they further feed the privilege and entitlements inherent in having access to the resources required to produce such ...

Posted: Friday, April 1, 2016

This past week, Communities First Association Sojourner & CCDA C6 Cohort member, Diane Elson Miller and I visited fellow CCDA C6 cohort member Rev. Robert McCathern and the Joy Tabernacle Church family in Civic Park, a neighborhood located in Flint, Michigan...

Posted: Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Because sometimes the journey is more significant than the arrival...

Posted: Monday, February 1, 2016

One of the most joyous occasions life has to offer is the moment of giving. Reflect with me on what that moment feels like. The evocation of fulfillment—the potency of purpose—rich with hope for the future of that which we gave!

Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2016

One of the most joyous occasions life has to offer is the moment of giving. Reflect with me on what that moment feels like. The evocation of fulfillment—the potency of purpose—rich with hope for the future of that which we gave! A moment full of meaning in an otherwise perplexing series of events, sacrificial giving brings clarity of purpose. In that one instant, we know what we are here to do: to help one another be our best selves and experience the joy of participating in one another’s journeys. No other act is more rewarding than sharing ourselves, our lives, our resources, with one another. With so much to gain from the giving experience, it is baffling how little we share with each other the joys of giving and how infrequently we inspire others to give. ...

Posted: Saturday, January 16, 2016

The past few months have offered a few opportunities for reflections on the value of participating in several coaching relationships. As a firm believer in the value of coaching, I both serve as a coach as well as allow myself to be coached (as all solid coaches do). In both cases, there are a few consistent gifts that emerge...

Posted: Thursday, January 14, 2016

For over a year, L!VE mostly hung out in a laptop. From time to time, I would talk about it with close friends, but never too broadly because I had no idea how I would ever find the time, the space, the resources to take L!VE any further...

Posted: Friday, January 1, 2016