An Open Mic for Chicago Youth
A monthly space for high school students to share, express, and network.
This is your stage, your crowd, your community.
Every month we partner with the Chicago Public Library to present a space for high schools students to share, express, and network with like-minded individuals.
This event, housed in the Harold Washington, showcases randomly selected students to present a 3-minute piece of their choice. Afterward, we bring our friends to perform, teach, and inspire.
OpenMike often closes with professionals sharing about their creative process and pieces of their choosing.
Brother Mike Hawkins
OpenMike is named in honor of a very special mentor of ours, the late “Brother Mike” Hawkins.
SocialWorks’ inspiration came from Brother Mike; he educated, connected, and inspired us to pursue our passions through artistic expression. We want to celebrate and expand Brother Mike’s vision. OpenMike aims to teach showmanship, connect young artists, and inspire creativity within the next wave of Chicago youth.
45
OpenMikes
5,460
Total Minutes of Performance
10,790
Total Attendance
HOT! HOT! 🔥 ANNOUNCEMENT ALERT‼️‼️ For all of those who have inquired about how to get involved with our efforts here at SocialWorks, we've got some exciting news for you! We're proud to introduce to you a re-launch of our very own website - www.socialworkschi.org. Within our new site, YOU are now able to create your very own SocialWorks account where you will be able to sign up for upcoming volunteer opportunities such as "A Night at the Museum" and so much more! You MUST create an account in order to be notified about these volunteer opportunities. Register your account today by heading over to www.socialworkschi.org --> Tab: "Get Involved" --> Create A SocialWorks Account --> Create Account. Drop a “❤️🤝” in our comments if you’re ready to SWORK! 🎉 #SocialWorks #WarmestWinter #OpenMike #KOK #MSOM #supportCPS #HelpPeople #Volunteer
We’re back at it again with our 3rd Annual “A Night at the Museum” at @msichicago! Enjoy a night filled with family-friendly fun and holiday cheer for only $10! All guests are encouraged to bring warming items that will be donated to those experiencing homelessness this holiday season. 🎄❤️✨ Head over to tix4cause.com/shop/anatm19 to purchase your tix today! #WarmestWinter #SocialWorks #ANATM #HelpPeople
Next Monday! November 18th, it's going down once again at the Harold Washington Library for #OpenMike! First 100 students in YouMedia get access to a very special #warmestwinter project 👀🎄✨ (Bring copies of photos of things you love - yourself, family, friends, pets, hobbies, etc. You won't get the photos back so make sure they're copies!) This #OpenMike, we want to help you celebrate all the things we are thankful for, so tag a friend, classmate, or mentor below and let them know how important they are to you and to the world! See you next Monday at #OpenMike!
Our 3rd Annual #WarmestWinter Clothing Drive kicked off today! We have 19 locations around the Chicagoland area where YOU can drop off any new / gently used warming items! 🎄❤️💫
It's that time again...#WarmestWinter is here! For those that don't know, Warmest Winter is SocialWorks' seasonal initiative inspiring others through service! Warmest Winter aims to raise awareness and provide relief for those experiencing homelessness through forward-thinking events, experiences, and donations. • This year, we're back with SO many events where you can enjoy the holiday spirit while also giving back to those in need. (SWIPE LEFT to learn more!) • The first event where we can use you your help will be during our 3rd Annual Warmest Winter Clothing Drive! From November 11th to December 13th you can drop off any gently used items listed at the 19 drop off locations around the Chicagoland area. Just look for our Warmest Winter clothing drive box at each location! • SWIPE LEFT (...again) to see a recap of our Warmest Winter festivities last year! We'll be announcing volunteer opportunities soon for "A Night at the Museum" and "Taste for the Homeless" so be sure to be on the lookout! You DON'T want to miss this. #SocialWorks #WarmestWinter #helppeople
Listen closely as Chicago's youth speak truth to power with @att. Full film out now, link in bio! #SocialWorks #OpenMike #forthekids #helppeople #itsa312thing #codesofculture #attcollab #ad
Our #OpenMikeSpotlight this week is another artist from #OpenMikeLV! Izak Orbe, AKA Joon (@zoulful) is making a difference by "creating real music with messages that relate to the youth of [his] community and providing a voice for the voiceless." This is what #OpenMike is all about! Using art as a way for expression and connection! Power to the People!
We’re thrilled to announce our newest partner — a16z Cultural Leadership Fund @culturalleadershipfund. Together, we will help more young African Americans enter the technology industry! As part of our partnership, we worked with @DigitalOcean this summer to pilot the Spin-Up! Students were introduced to cloud computing and software development! Looking forward to doing more with our a16z partners!
Warmest Winter season is here and SocialWorks is kicking off it's 3rd Annual Clothing Drive! We're collecting gently used coats, blankets scarves, toys, games and warming items of all types from locations ALL over the city of Chicago! These items will directly benefit those experiencing homelessness which is the main mission within our #WarmestWinter initiative. If your business or organization wants to help spread the warmth and be a donation location this season, head over to — www.socialworkschi.org/wwclothingdrive TODAY! Deadline to submit the interest form is November 1st and you’ll receive a confirmation by Nov. 6th if your location is selected! #SocialWorks #warmestwinter #forthekids #helppeople
Woo! Another fantastic OpenMike in the books! This week we held a special Halloween Edition of #OpenMike that was unbOOlievable indeed! Before OpenMike began, students were able to take part in fun activities in @youmediachicago such as free face painting and networking with organizations such as @wemovement and Walgreens Expressions. They were even able to sign up to be involved in an upcoming local fashion show! You know we also had some special guests come through too! 💯 Huge shoutout to the amazing drumline (Marching Storm) at Perspectives Charter School, Dorian Washington (@kingdorian12) for speaking to the students about his work in the music industry, and a dope performance by @cdothoncho! Catch you next time at #OpenMike! 📸: @stevensjpeg
We can’t believe that the season finale of @rhythmandflownetflix is already here! Who else is LOVING this show as much as we are?! I mean, I know we’re pretty biased on this one considering our founder @chancetherapper is one of the phenomenal judges...but still! It’s an awesome show, don’t you agree?! 😂🤷🏽♀️ Throughout the season of @rhythmandflownetflix you can catch @chancetherapper rocking some SocialWorks merch just like the @champion “Help People” hoodie above! 👆🏽 Purchase yours today along with many other🔥 merch options via the shop on our website! — https://www.shop.socialworkschi.org/. #SocialWorks #chancetherapper #RHYTHMANDFLOW #helppeople #helppeoplehoodie #forthekids
CPS students, teachers, faculty and staff...we support you! Come find us outside of The Daley Plaza passing out some goodies just for YOU such as our @passionhousecoffee #MSOMColdBrew, #supportCPS merch and more. We all have on #supportCPS hoodies with the logo above so that you can find us pretty easily...Come say hi 👋🏽 & spread the word, we’d love to meet you! #SocialWorks #supportCPS #NewChanceFund
In The News
November 14, 2019
SocialWorks' 2019 Annual Night at the Museum Tickets On Sale
October 30, 2019
Chicago Natives Saba, Korporate and SocialWorks Star in Cultural Impact Short Film
October 29, 2019
SocialWorks' 3rd Annual Warmest Winter Clothing Drive
Partnerships
