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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
AUGUST AS FOOTWORK APPRECIATION MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Chicago Footwork is a distinctive and powerful cultural art form that emerged in the late 1980s on the West and South Sides of Cook County, in the lineage of House music and shaped by the innovation, talent, and resilience of Black youth and community creatives; and
WHEREAS, characterized by rapid, intricate foot movements, Chicago Footwork is more than a dance - it is a form of storytelling, expression, and identity that promotes improvisation, discipline, and creative freedom; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Footwork has become a global movement, with the style spreading to Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, Central America, South America, and North America, with global scenes now emerging that honor and adapt Chicago's original style while remaining deeply connected to its community roots through local artists, dance crews, DJs, music producers, and educators who continue to teach, perform, and mentor the next generation; and
WHEREAS, Chicago Footwork has served as a powerful tool for youth engagement, cultural preservation, and violence prevention - offering young people in Cook County an outlet for self-expression, community building, and civic pride; and
WHEREAS, community organizations and artists have used Footwork to host public performances, educational workshops, and neighborhood events that uplift and connect residents of all ages and backgrounds; and
WHEREAS, the initiative to recognize and celebrate Chicago Footwork through the creation of Footwork Appreciation Month is led by Creative Netwerk, ChicagoFootworkDotCom, and Kumba Lynx, who have worked to amplify the voices of local dancers, preserve the cultural legacy, and ensure continued investment in this powerful art form; and
WHEREAS, we further recognize and honor the individuals and cultural contributions that have preserved and propelled the movement, including:
* Shadawn Battle, for her documentary Footwork Sav...
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