Jahmal Cole, founder of youth advocacy organization My Block, My Hood, My City, said it’s critical for mentors like him to show young people how local politics affect their lives and how they can overcome challenges to use their influence.
by Chitra Iyer
Jahmal Cole, founder of My Block My Hood My City, cuts back vines from a fence during a neighborhood cleanup in Chicago on Oct. 24, 2024. (Photo: Jason Polevoi/My Block My Hood My City)
My Block, My Hood, My City mentors teens from the South and West Sides, part of its mission to support Chicago’s youth in underserved communities. Young people go on educational field trips to foster civic-mindedness and a sense of connection to their own communities, while also discovering the rest of the city a world of opportunities beyond their neighborhoods.
M3 Founder Jahmal Cole spoke to City Bureau about the complex realities facing his community, and how youth-focused organizations and mentors can empower young voters by building their vision and empathy for those around them. He emphasizes the importance of making the political process more accessible and relatable to youth — around 41 million Gen Zers were eligible to vote this year — while recognizing the personal toll of issues such as poverty, crime and violence.
His insights offer a nuanced understanding of the barriers to political participation, while highlighting the immense potential of empowered young leaders to drive positive change in their neighborhoods and beyond.
Editor’s note: This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
How do you think young South Siders feel about local politics?
I don’t think they realize that everything they do is political. When you say ‘politics,’ it sounds so Harvard University. You have to get to the basics of what you’re doing with youth; you can’t assume that they know what the hell you’re talking about.
But one of the coolest things of my life happened when I went to the alderman’s office, and he treated me like I was a genius. I’d never talked to a politician before. You grow up feeling like politicians aren’t actual people, but this changed that for me.
These politicians are so busy wearing red-bottomed shoes that they can’t get their feet dirty to come out, to actually talk to their community. That’s one thing that I’m doing. I’m going to visit 100 blocks in a 100 days to talk to folks like ourselves, connecting with normal people to hear about their concerns. Each one of them are leaders that organize their communities to be more connected, safer, healthier and happier.
What are some issues and topics that are most important to young voters on the South Side?
We know young people care about a variety of issues: crime, over policing and gun control; gender inequality; unemployment; immigration reform; access to healthcare and mental health treatment.
M3 organized a fundraiser to donate 15,000 sweatshirts to newly arrived migrants from Venezuela. How are young South Side voters influenced and impacted by Chicago’s migrant crisis?
The word ‘migrant’ is scary. We’ve got to emphasize to folks that we’re all migrants; we all came to this country somehow.
But to be in our program, you must volunteer; our kids go into shelters in their communities, and they help people out. We show up to shovel snow. We don’t [ask], “Are you Democrat or Republican? Are you Black or white?” Whoever needs the help, we’re gonna show up.
But some kids [start off assuming] that someone is homeless because [they] did something wrong. They don’t realize that many of the [homeless migrants] could be doctors in their home country. They learn that many are highly educated but are unable to work in their field. They realize that a lot of [Chicagoans] are just a paycheck away from being on the street, too. Our goal is to try and build empathy first. That's why I think volunteering is so important, because it exposes them to different people with different lived experiences.
How else can we encourage youth to recognize their power, vote and participate in the political systems that surround them?
It’s about breaking it down and making them feel like they’re a part of [what’s around them]. Encouraging them to utilize their platform. You could just go onto Facebook Live like you already do. If you can organize a mob to come Downtown, you can get others to vote, bro! Adults can’t do that, but you can! Use your power for good.
What we need to do is explain to them in a way that they can understand. Like, you’re eating a bag of flamin hot Cheetos right now. You pay taxes on them flaming hots – that’s politics, too! Your money’s going towards something. Your vote matters.
If you go to the currency exchange, and they charge you 2% on every dollar, that’s a political issue. When you order food and it comes out through a bulletproof glass window, that’s a political issue. When you look up at these polls on the ground in your neighborhood and you see microphones, ShotSpotter technology, that’s a political issue.
How do you explain these things to kids to make them understand that their voice matters? You have to let them know that people died for your right to vote, people risked their lives to give you this opportunity, so it’s an honor to do so. Young voters have fresh perspectives, and they’re the future leaders of our nation, so the[ir voices are] critical.
What are some of the barriers that young people might face in engaging politically?
While we know that young people are aware and care about a lot of things, they might not have the language to explain [how they feel]. When you ask students from the most under-resourced communities to speak up on issues that matter, you must focus on building up their confidence first.
Another barrier is the need for immediate gratification, instead of [focusing on] long-term rewards. It’s up to [mentors] like me to call them into a different path. But it’s happening. Change is coming. Folks are here to help. It just takes vision and time.
It’s gonna be a different Chicago 10 years from now, and it’s all because of the youth. And [once] they realize the kind of power they have, to slay [an] election, there’s no stopping them.
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