I enjoyed interviewing Roc Nation’s own Tyre Hakim and was immediately grateful for the humbling experience. He invited me to join him and his brother Goalden Chyld’s Unity Concert and Panel discussion on January 13th, 2024, located at The Ark of St. Sabina in which I humbly accepted the invite.
I was unsure what to expect upon arrival, but as soon as I walked through the doors, I felt like I had entered a safe space. Several suited-up Muslim men greeted me with the utmost respect. Walking inside the event, I noticed there was indeed unity, and you could feel it in the energy in the building, which put the uncertainty of what I was getting into at ease.
The event was The event was made to highlight bringing peace and unity among the everlasting gang wars in Chicago that have been brewing for decades. One gentleman got on stage and made a fascinating revelation. His brother had been murdered, and the opposition was indeed in the building. With his growth and a new understanding of life, he was able to put his pride aside and shake hands and hug the man who was a link in his brother’s death in front of everyone in the building.
One question that was raised during a panel discussion and one of the reasons why this event was important for Chicago was, ‘ Does it make you look weak to push for peace? The question shook the room, and some of Chicago’s heavy hitters in the streets answered it effortlessly! Yes, it is fantastic to want peace and unity amongst each other. There is so much more to life, and we prosper better together.
