One mile away from Oakwood Beach and the shores of Lake Michigan, in the heart of the historic south side neighborhood of Bronzeville, sits a quiet set of streets directly four and a half miles south of the city’s Magnificient Mile.

On this hot summer morning, I walk through a series of peaceful blocks populated by a scattered collection of stately greystones, older brick two-flats, and newly constructed townhomes. I walk past a beautiful, modern building that is home to a community service organization providing resources and assistance to youth who find themselves homeless.

A few minutes after I arrive in the sunlit lobby of my destination, I discover that the event times have changed. I am one hour early. So I decided to walk the long way back to my car and planned to go get some coffee and wait.

To my pleasant surprise, there was a soul food restaurant open for a brunch just a block away. I took this unexpected detour and enjoyed a nice chicken and waffles breakfast, and made my way back to the event one hour later.

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Inside the main level of the large auditorium, stage lights hanging from the wood-paneled ceiling light up the rows of padded benches. Long vertical wooden slants form the wall behind the stage like a music recording studio.

A TV camera hangs from the end of a large crane-like mechanical arm that extends from the bottom of the right corner of the front stage. On stage, a team of eight singers leads the audience in song, accompanied by a full band and a 30-member choir decked out in white and brown robes.

The journey continues in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the south side, at the corner of 38th Street and Indiana.

Intro Theme Music: Victory Lap by QSTN ft. Mecca:83
Background Music: www.bensound.com/

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