FACTS ABOUT THE HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER

The Harold Washington Cultural Center is owned and operated by Tobacco Road, Incorporated (TRI) a 501 c 3 non profit organization. Its mission is to "preserve and protect" our rich African-American arts and culture. Its goal is to deter at risk behavior in our youth through training in media and the performing arts.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center is supported through private donations, community event rentals, and corporate sponsorship.

FACTS REGARDING HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER FUNDING

Tobacco Road Incorporated received an Empowerment Zone Grant over a decade ago that was managed and monitored by the City of Chicago .

The Harold Washington Cultural Center was built in three distinct phases.  The funds granted by the City of Chicago were used for part of the construction of Phase II.  The entire construction was carefully monitored by the City of Chicago .  

All construction payments went through a construction escrow managed by Chicago Title and Trust, and required a sign-off by the City.  For Phase II construction draws, the City of Chicago signed off on all draws.

On February 10, 2006 , a letter from counsel for the City of Chicago , which contains the City's Certificate of Completion, shows that the Harold Washington Cultural Center was built in accordance with the requirements of the various Grant Agreements.

Tobacco Road Incorporated never had direct control or access to funds disbursed by the City of Chicago to Chicago Title and Trust. All funds were disbursed by 2002. TRI has not received any funds from the City of Chicago to report on. All those records are on file with the City of Chicago and Chicago Title and Trust. 

 FACTS REGARDING HAROLD WASHINGTON CULTURAL CENTER ACTIVITIES

The Harold Washington Cultural Center is home to Endure Theater and Dance Production Company, Know Your Heritage Game Show Program, Chicago International Children's Film Festival, The Bronzeville Nights Experience, and Madd Rhythm Dance Company.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center is home to the 1,000 seat ComEd Performing Arts Theater, a full service recording studio, an AVID video editing lab, a multi-use resource center/computer lab, and a music school.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center services 75,000 youth per year through its community partnerships, on site programs, talent shows and other special events.

 The Harold Washington Center has held graduations, fundraisers for community based and non-profit organizations, town hall meetings, and summits.  The Center has held youth events that have been incident-free and has become a safe haven to many during these violent times in our schools.   Currently the events calendar is booked throughout the year. Some week days are available.

FACTS REGARDING MANAGEMENT

Jimalita Tillman, the Executive Director of the Harold Washington Cultural Center , is a graduate of DePaul University with a degree in Theater Management and International Marketing.  Jimalita Tillman has received extensive training in theater operation from North Shore Country Day School, the Black Ensemble Theater, the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro , and the ETA Theater.

She is a member of several trade organizations including Screen Actors Guild, National Association of Theater Owners, International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People, Black Storytellers Alliance, National Association of Youth Theatres (UK), and the African American Arts Alliance. 

Her professional credentials include, but are not limited to the National Association of Black Female Executive in Music Entertainment, The World Congress of Sports, The National Association of Women Business Owners, The Business and Professional Women Organization, The National Association of Business Economics, Marketing Opportunities for Blacks in Business and Entertainment, The Association for Contingency Planners and The National Alliance for Media, Arts, and Culture.

Jimalita Tillman is multi-lingual, her volunteerism is recognized worldwide, and she has been working on deferred compensation for the past 3 years.

FACTS REGARDING FORECLOSURE

Valued at $15 million, the 45,000 square foot Harold Washington Cultural Center owes a $1.2 million loan to Shore Bank.  The loan with ShoreBank was 2 months ($21,000) delinquent. Tobacco Road, Incorporated went to court to pay the past due amount owed (including penalties and late fees) and to show proof of the ability to pay the loan forward.

ShoreBank would not allow this and have accelerated the loan. ShoreBank will not reinstate the loan.

The Harold Washington Cultural Center (HWCC) is the vision and innovation of the Honorable Dorothy Tillman and the Board of Directors of Tobacco Road, Inc., the nonprofit entity that owns the Center. The Board is composed of a diverse group of artists and business & community representatives and is dedicated to establishing viable programs for area residents. The state-of-the-art, 40,000-sq. ft. education and entertainment facility boasts countless features that contribute directly to the current revitalization efforts and economic redevelopment of the Grand Boulevard/Bronzeville neighborhood on Chicago's South Side.

The goals of the Center are multi-faceted and ambitious, but wholly possible through the diligent efforts of its principal administrators and dedicated staff. The mission of the HWCC is to preserve and protect the rich, diverse culture & history of African Americans through the education & professional development of Chicago's youth. HWCC offers the community a wide range of educational programs & services in the sphere of arts & entertainment " from business & performance management, digital recording & production, to classical music instruction and marketing, development & distribution " exploring all aspects of the opportunities and careers at their disposal! What follows is a look at HWCC's services, facility and the opportunities for you to be a part of this important community initiative.