JAMES JORDAN CLUB, CHICAGO
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UNIQUE YOUTH
During preparations for this week’s mural unveiling, Brooklyn and Aiden, two of our longest-running young artists, stopped by the studio to rehearse their tour scripts. Both have been rapping and creating with me since they were just six years old, and now at eleven, they continue to grow into confident, expressive artists. Their visit was extra special because they were joined by BGCC’s new President & CEO, Susanna Wickham, who experiencedtheNotesforNotesprogramthroughtheeyes andvoicesoftheyouththemselves.AsBrooklynandAiden shared what the studio means to them and performed a few of their bars, it was a powerful reminder that their growth, talent, and love for music speak louder than any tourscriptevercould
MEKHI SPEAKS FROM HEART
Another highlight of the visit came when Mekhi, now sixteen, spoke directly to CEO Susanna Wickham about the impactthestudiohashadonhislife.Mekhihasbeenpartof theNotesforNotesfamilysincehewasaroundeightornine years old, growing from a curious beginner into a skilled artistandleaderamonghispeers.Hiswordscarriedgenuine emotion as he reflected on the studio’s role in his development, not just as a musician but as a young person finding his voice and direction. Moments like these not only show the power of long-term mentorship but also gave our new CEO a firsthand look at the heart and purpose behind everythingwedointhestudio.
JAMES JORDAN CLUB, CHICAGO
TEEN TAKEOVER
Over the past few months, I’ve been intentional about rebuilding a consistent teen presence in the studio with adding more teen-focused programs to the weekly calendar, extending open-studio hours, andmakingsuremydoorisalwaysopen.Thateffort is paying off. I’ve seen more teens dropping in to create, bringing their friends, and even new faces from local high schools I’ve connected with joining asmembers.Theclipfromthisdaycapturesexactly what that looks like — two teen girls confidently showcasing their vocal skills during one of our open-studio sessions. It’s a reflection of what happens when teens are given a space that’s theirs: they show up, create freely, and remind everyone thatthenextgenerationofChicagotalentisalready here.
HANNAH BANANA ON DECKS
During one of our Music Discovery sessions, 10-year-old Hannah, affectionately known as “Hannah Banana,” proudly showed me her DJing skills on her iPad. Watching her blend songs seamlessly stopped me in my tracks. As a woman DJ myself, seeing a young girl so curious and confident behind the decks filled me with pride. Hannah has been creating with me since she was sixyearsold,andmomentslikethisremindmehow deeply she’s absorbed everything around her. She candoitall(dance,sing,rap,act,andnowDJ) and she does it with a fearlessness that makes me excitedforwhat’sahead.
Hannah’s growth doesn’t stop in the studio. It’s spilling into every part of her creative world. Just last summer, she played a small supporting role in our Westside Wonka musical, with only a few lines throughout the show. This year, she’s been cast as “Dorothy” in her school’s production of The Wiz — the lead role. Seeing her step into that spotlight is incredible, but what’s even more meaningful is knowing the foundation she built here. Years of performing, writing, and learning to use her voice have shaped her into the confident young artist she’s becoming. Watching her take the stage, not just as a performer, but as a leader, is the kind of full-circle moment that makes every hour in the studio worth it.
