Walking With Purpose: A Powerful Start to the 2025 BCP Walk Club
- Shani Smith
- Apr 26
- 9 min read
Updated: Apr 27
The 2025 season of the Black Cornerstones Project (BCP) Walk Club launched with purpose, legacy, and deep community spirit on a cold crisp spring morning at the iconic Pullman National Historical Park. More than just a walk, this year’s kickoff was a call to community, celebrating movement, honoring Black history, and cultivating collective wellness on Chicago’s South Side. It wasn’t a large gathering but felt monumental. It was a meaningful and reflective meeting of two community leaders. Shani, BCP’s founder, and Lisa D., a dedicated Block Club President and 4th District Beat Facilitator, led the inaugural walk of the season. Their presence alone underscored the club’s commitment to intertwining community leadership with grassroots activism.
The two began their morning at the Pullman Visitor Center, where they explored exhibits showcasing the legacy of George Pullman, the historic community he developed, and the iconic luxury train cars that shaped rail travel in America. Walking through the museum they paused at the Pullman Porter exhibit which served as a poignant reminder of the strides made by Black laborers. A powerful space that pays homage to the Black men whose work helped in shaping America’s middle class and the broader labor movement in America.
“Walking through this space reminds us that our steps today are part of a legacy,” said Shani. “These men paved the way not just with their labor, but with their organizing, their courage, and their vision.”
After soaking in the powerful stories at the museum, the group strolled across the street to continue their experience at the historic Pullman Club House. There, they were welcomed by the warmth of the Pullman Club Coffee Shop, a cozy community gem located at 605 E. 111th St in Chicago. Over delicious turmeric ginger lattes and fresh glazed cake donuts from Old Fashioned Donuts sold at the coffee shop, they both connected, shared stories, and planned future routes and neighborhood walks.
Lisa D. reflected on the power of gathering in spaces rooted in Black history. “This is what a community looks like, honoring our past while building something beautiful together today. Walking isn’t just about exercise. It’s about reclaiming our space, our health, and our joy.”
Walking is more than just a simple activity; it's a journey that can unite people and build strong communities. As excitement fills the neighborhood, the BCP Walks is gearing up for its 2025 season. This year promises to be packed with energy, friendship, and a shared goal, encouraging everyone to step outside and discover the joys of walking together.
Joining the BCP Walks means immersing yourself in a community-focused movement that prioritizes health, happiness, and connection. This year, the club aims to enhance engagement and inclusivity, creating memorable stories and experiences that will be cherished for years to come. While teaching community members about planning and development projects they could create as part of BCP’s Reimagine Stony Initiative. Residents will learn to initiate a development project in Chicago by forming a coalition, engaging with local leaders, and utilizing various city resources.
The 2025 Walk Club season will continue with weekly walks, each rooted in wellness, storytelling, and connection. As BCP continues to promote community care through culture, walkability, and celebration, this kickoff set the tone for a powerful year ahead.
A Look Back at the BCP Walk Club's Journey
The BCP Walk Club also known as BCP Walks is based in Calumet Heights. Founded just a year ago, the BCP Walk Club has rapidly evolved into a vibrant community initiative aimed at strengthening neighborhood ties through walking and accessibility. Engaging members ranging from ages 4 to 84, the club has become a melting pot of diverse backgrounds united by a shared love for their community.
Black Cornerstones Project was a recipient of the 2024 AARP Community Challenge Grant to conduct a walk audit. In the summer of 2024, local residents conducted a comprehensive walk audit in the Calumet Heights community, focusing on a one-mile radius around 87th and Stony Island. This area, integral to the Greater Stony Island Planning Area, encompasses ten historically Black neighborhoods, including Avalon Park and Calumet Heights.
The walk audit spanned more than 253 blocks between June 1st and August 30th, aiming to evaluate the neighborhood's walkability, safety, and accessibility. Residents, volunteers, and community stakeholders collaborated to assess sidewalks, lighting, crosswalks, and overall infrastructure. The project highlighted several key findings: uneven sidewalks, inadequate lighting in certain areas, and limited access to pedestrian-friendly amenities like benches and water fountains. Participants also noted areas of opportunity, such as potential spaces for community murals and the need for safer crossings near schools and parks.
Through the audit, BCP Walk Club members gathered invaluable data creating the Reimagine Stony Initiative, which seeks to transform the Stony Island corridor into a walkable community hub. The audit also engaged residents in envisioning a neighborhood where health, connectivity, and cultural heritage are prioritized. This grassroots effort reflects BCP’s mission to inspire actionable change through community-driven insights and initiatives.
What started as a small group gathering for weekly strolls has blossomed into a vibrant community movement. This transformation didn't happen overnight. It involved dedicated members who turned casual walks into significant experiences. Over a short few months, countless stories of friendship and encouragement have emerged. Each walking event became a space for people to bond over shared goals, aspirations, and even challenges.
Reasons to Join BCP Walks
The 2025 kickoff was more than a launch—it was a celebration of progress, participation, and purpose. This year’s focus on inclusivity and intergenerational wellness welcomed everyone to bring their full selves to the walk, creating a space where movement meets meaning.
There are so many reasons to join BCP Walks. Whether you join an existing group or start your own walking club, walking is one of the most accessible forms of physical activity, with proven benefits for heart health, mental clarity, emotional resilience, and chronic disease prevention. But walking together—especially in familiar neighborhoods—offers something even greater: community.
Joining BCP Walks transforms a simple act into a powerful ritual of connection and care. Each Saturday morning, neighbors come together not just to move, but to bond, to check in, and to dream bigger about what’s possible for our communities. It's a place where elders share wisdom, children find role models, and residents of all backgrounds feel seen and valued.
Participation in the Walk Club also deepens engagement in the Reimagine Stony Initiative, which aims to revitalize the Stony Island corridor and surrounding neighborhoods by promoting walkability, cultural preservation, and local leadership. Through walk audits, storytelling, and community mapping, members play an active role in shaping how their neighborhoods grow and thrive.
Whether you walk to improve your health, meet new people, or be part of a movement for change—there’s a place for you here. Every step taken with a BCP Walk Club strengthens the bonds that tie us together—one sidewalk, one story, and one Saturday morning at a time.
What Attendees Can Anticipate on BCP Walks
Lace up your sneakers, grab your wheels, or bring a buddy—every Saturday is a chance to move, groove, and build community with the BCP Walk Club!
The BCP Walk Club meets every Saturday at 8 a.m. on the northwest corner of 88th and Blackstone Avenue in the Avalon/Calumet Heights community, weather permitting. In cases of inclement weather, alternate locations are announced to ensure the continuity of the walks.
Each walk offers participants the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and explore the neighborhood's scenic routes. Walkers move in pace-matched groups and supportive pairs, making room for everyone—regardless of age, fitness level, or mobility needs—to participate in a way that works for them. Whether you're walking, rolling, or strolling, there’s space for you.
The club plans to introduce interactive workshops such as “Mindfulness in Motion,” focusing on the mental health benefits of walking, and “Walking for Wellness,” highlighting the physical health advantages. These initiatives aim to enrich the walking experience and promote holistic well-being among all members.
Participants are encouraged to bring their cameras or phones to capture images of community spaces they want to reimagine—vacant lots, overlooked corners, or gathering places filled with potential. These photos become part of our collective vision for the future, helping to shape conversations around neighborhood transformation and investment.
Most importantly, the walk is a weekly reminder to show up—for your health, your spirit, and your community—but first and foremost, for yourself. Because when you choose to take that first step (or roll), you’re making a powerful commitment to your own well-being and creating space for others to do the same.
Check out the events page on the website to see the times, dates, locations, and themes of upcoming walks.
Heartwarming Personal Experiences
The BCP Walk Club continues to grow, creating a rich collection of stories that emphasize the transformative power of walking. Members often share personal journeys that document both individual change and community building. For example, Shani lost 20 pounds since starting the club while also building more community bonds. Every weekend, she walks with new neighbors and old friends, building healthy habits together and creating cherished memories.
One especially inspiring story comes from Mrs. Bunice S., an 84-year-old resident who has become one of the walk club’s most dedicated participants. Before the project, she often felt isolated and hesitant to walk alone due to safety concerns and uneven sidewalks in her neighborhood. But after joining the club, everything changed. “I used to be afraid to walk around my block,” she shared. “Now I feel safe and connected to my neighbors. This project has given me a sense of belonging and improved my health. I’ve met so many wonderful people, and I’m not just walking—I’m thriving.” Her words are a powerful testament to how collective movement can heal, empower, and uplift.
The Walk Club has also helped bridge generational and historical gaps. A brother and sister who joined one Saturday met a longtime resident who shared stories about their great-grandfather’s legacy as a precinct captain—connecting past and present through shared steps. Walks have sparked meaningful conversations with local business owners, deepening ties to the places we pass every day.
These stories resonate strongly within the club, motivating both established members and newcomers alike. Many find inspiration in the narratives of resilience and connection, encouraging them to embark on their own walking journeys.
Building Bonds Beyond Walking
The BCP Walk Club is more than just a walking group; it's about forming deep connections. Every shared stride fosters a sense of belonging. Through collective experiences, participants cultivate friendships that extend beyond the paths they tread.
Even in times of grief, the Walk Club showed up. When one of the officers who often walked with us lost his mother, the group came together to offer support. He later expressed how the walks had become a mental health refuge—a weekly moment of peace, connection, and care.
The club also collaborates with local organizations to promote wellness initiatives and volunteer opportunities. This not only boosts community involvement but also demonstrates how walking can be a force for positive change. When members join BCP Walks, they commit to more than just fitness; they become part of a movement focused on uplifting the community as a whole.
A Bright Outlook for the Year Ahead
Ultimately, the BCP Walk Club is developing a culture centered on community care and transformation. As members unite through weekly walks, they create a resilient network grounded in shared purpose and empowerment. Whether revitalizing historic narratives or forming new friendships along the path, BCP Walks transcends a simple fitness initiative—it is a movement that underscores the value of connection.
As the 2025 season unfolds, community members can anticipate strengthened relationships, enriching experiences, and progress toward healthier living. The BCP Walk Club stands as a symbol of hope, enhancing Black history while actively shaping the terrain of Chicago's South Side.
The journey of the Walk Club is just beginning. With every step taken together, participants are not simply walking; they are walking with purpose, revitalizing their community, and honoring a legacy worthy of celebration.
The BCP Walk Club warmly invites everyone in the community to join this impactful movement. Together, they can promote health, foster connections, and transform shared spaces—one step at a time.
In reflection, BCP Walks is not merely a seasonal activity; it is a lively expression of community spirit, health, and storytelling. By walking with intention, the members of this expanding movement are cultivating a culture of dialogue, health advocacy, and community-building that resonates deeply within the Black Cornerstones Project.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the BCP Walk Club is poised for expansion, with plans to establish new groups in Bronzeville, South Shore, Chatham, and Auburn Gresham communities. This growth reflects the club's commitment to inclusivity and its mission to make communities more accessible and connected.
Individuals interested in joining BCP Walks or exploring community engagement and volunteer opportunities can visit our website at blackcornerstones.com/events or contact us at (312) 970-1602 for more information.
Together, let's continue to walk with purpose, fostering healthier, more connected communities one step at a time.
Allow our collective efforts to remind us all of the strength that comes from walking together, sharing stories, and commemorating a shared history while envisioning a brighter future for everyone.
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