PROGRAMMING
Returning Citizens Programming
To forgive is to set a prisoner free only to discover that the prisoner was you.

This group will meet bi-weekly with the intention of providing a resource-driven space beginning “virtually” in the beginning to share information, provide stories of success from formerly detailed individuals, access to job training, and provide access to pathways to conflict resolution.
Overview
Our Returning Citizens Programming is designed to aid ex felons in four areas of development and support.
a. Workforce Development
We are intentional about connecting our Returning Citizens with real-time opportunities for gainful employment and job and career development.
b. Housing
We are intentional about presenting workshops and opportunities that both educate Returning Citizens regarding housing opportunities and housing rights throughout the state of Illinois.
c. Mental Health
We are intentional about connecting our Returning Citizens with mental health providers that have experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals.
d. We are intentional about providing ongoing workshops for our Returning Citizens that address issues with themes such as knowing your rights, anger management and building positive relationships.
Date TBA
Returning Citizens Programming
To forgive is to set a prisoner free only to discover that the prisoner was you.
This group will meet monthly with the intention of providing a resource-driven space beginning “virtually” in the beginning to share information, provide stories of success from formerly detailed individuals, access to job training, and provide access to pathways to conflict resolution.
Overview
Our Returning Citizens Programming is designed to aid ex felons in four areas of development
and support.
a. Workforce Development
We are intentional about connecting our Returning Citizens with real-time opportunities for gainful employment and job and career development.
b. Housing
We are intentional about presenting workshops and opportunities that both educate Returning Citizens regarding housing opportunities and housing rights throughout the state of Illinois.
c. Mental Health
We are intentional about connecting our Returning Citizens with mental health providers that have experience working with formerly incarcerated individuals.
d. We are intentional about providing ongoing workshops for our Returning Citizens that address issues with themes such as knowing your rights, anger management and building positive relationships.
Meetings Bi-weekly
Date TBA

Career & College Readiness Programming
We desire to bequeath two things to our children;
the first one is roots, the other one is wings.

The workshops are to prepare interested participant who desire to get a head start on the process of planning their future.
Art of NOYZ and Jacobs Education consulting are committed to exposing every participant to the tools they need to plan their future, finance their education, develop a plan on reaching their goals, increase their writing acuity and get exposed to what they should expect when they enter into college.
These workshops are designed to aid participants in college and career choices. Topics covered include but are not limited to choosing a college or career path, locating money to pay for your education, filling out applications and planning your visits to colleges.
Date TBA
Career & College Readiness Programming
We desire to bequeath two things to our children;
the first one is roots, the other one is wings.
The workshops are to prepare interested participant who desire to get a head start on the process of planning their future.
Art of NOYZ and Jacobs Education consulting are committed to exposing every participant to the tools they need to plan their future, finance their education, develop a plan on reaching their goals, increase their writing acuity and get exposed to what they should expect when they enter into college.
These workshops are designed to aid participants in college and career choices. Topics covered include but are not limited to choosing a college or career path, locating money to pay for your education, filling out applications and planning your visits to colleges.
Date TBA

Building Trade Programming
One generation builds the street on which the next will walk.
We at Art of Noyz understand that statistics have proven that gainful employment provides a proven pathway to not becoming either a perpetrator or a victim of violence.These courses aren’t a how to actually perform a building construction trade,but rather how to increase your chances of entering into a union apprenticeship as a viable option to provide for our families, build up the community and learn life skills. Our Afrocentric approach teaches that developing building trade skills provides a pathway for empowerment and a skill set to build up our own community.
Construction Trade Resources
Painters/Painters District Council
#14 1456 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60607-2897
Phone: 312.421.0046
Fax: 312.421.7884
Electricians/ IBEW
134 2722 S. Martin Luther King Drive Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 454-1340
Plumber’s /Plumbers’ JAC Local 130, UA will be accepting applications for admission to the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program starting on January 24, 2021 through March 6, 2021 OR the first 2,000 submissions, whichever comes first ONLINE at apply.jac130.org ***NOTE THE WEBSITE LINK WILL GO LIVE ON JANUARY 24TH ***
Carpentry/Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Corporate office
12 E Erie St
Open ⋅ Closes 4:30PM
Phone: (312) 787-3076
Pipe fitters/Individuals interested in applying to Local Union 597’s apprenticeship program can find information in the tabs to the left. If you have any questions regarding the process, please contact the Admissions Director, Adam Sutter at the Training Center at [email protected].

Building Trade Programming
One generation builds the street on which the next will walk.

We at Art of Noyz understand that statistics have proven that gainful employment provides a proven pathway to not becoming either a perpetrator or a victim of violence.These courses aren’t a how to actually perform a building construction trade,but rather how to increase your chances of entering into a union apprenticeship as a viable option to provide for our families, build up the community and learn life skills. Our Afrocentric approach teaches that developing building trade skills provides a pathway for empowerment and a skill set to build up our own community.
Construction Trade Resources
Painters/Painters District Council
#14 1456 West Adams Street Chicago, IL 60607-2897
Phone: 312.421.0046
Fax: 312.421.7884
Electricians/ IBEW
134 2722 S. Martin Luther King Drive Chicago, IL 60616
Phone: (312) 454-1340
Plumber’s /Plumbers’ JAC Local 130, UA will be accepting applications for admission to the Plumbing Apprenticeship Program starting on January 24, 2021 through March 6, 2021 OR the first 2,000 submissions, whichever comes first ONLINE at apply.jac130.org ***NOTE THE WEBSITE LINK WILL GO LIVE ON JANUARY 24TH ***
Carpentry/Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters Corporate office
12 E Erie St
Open ⋅ Closes 4:30PM
Phone: (312) 787-3076
Pipe fitters/Individuals interested in applying to Local Union 597’s apprenticeship program can find information in the tabs to the left. If you have any questions regarding the process, please contact the Admissions Director, Adam Sutter at the Training Center at [email protected].
Entrepreneurship Programming
Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people cant.”

Entrepreneurs Mentoring Classes
Date TBA
Entrepreneurship Programming
Entrepreneurship is living a few years of your life like most people won’t, so you can spend the rest of your life like most people cant.”
Program Description:
Entrepreneurs Mentoring Classes
Date TBA

Conflict Resolution Martial Arts Programming
A student said to his master: “You teach me fighting, but you talk about peace. How do we reconcile the two?” The master replies: “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in a war.”

their history while simultaneously getting instruction in team building.
Conflict Resolution Martial Arts Programming
Program Description
These are weekly instructional classes that incorporate African
American History and the Korean Martial Arts of Taekwondo and
Hapkido to teach conflict resolution through self-defense, rather
than self-offense.
Our classes will be scaled down to consist of first an
Africa/African American History lesson, forms or what in some
circles is known as Kata, kicks, strikes and blocks and extensive
stretching.
Our goal is to create a pathway to unity, collective
work and self-care as a viable option over gun violence.
We recommend having a partner to receive the full benefit of the
class.
Held each Tuesday
5:00pm – 6:30pm
200 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL
Conflict Resolution Martial Arts Programming
A student said to his master: “You teach me fighting, but you talk about peace. How do we reconcile the two?” The master replies: “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than to be a gardener in a war.”
Conflict Resolution Martial Arts Programming
Program Description
These are weekly instructional classes that incorporate African
American History and the Korean Martial Arts of Taekwondo and
Hapkido to teach conflict resolution through self-defense, rather
than self-offense.
Our classes will be scaled down to consist of first an
Africa/African American History lesson, forms or what in some
circles is known as Kata, kicks, strikes and blocks and extensive
stretching.
Our goal is to create a pathway to unity, collective
work and self-care as a viable option over gun violence.
We recommend having a partner to receive the full benefit of the
class.
Held each Tuesday
5:00pm – 6:30pm
200 West 95th Street
Chicago, IL
Spoken Word Programming
Our words have the power to speak peace into conflicting circumstances
Spoken Word Mentoring Program-Speak Your Peace
These sessions will utilize the art of creative writing to channel emotion in a positive direction in an effort to teach conflict resolution. Ages 12- Adult These workshops will be divided into two cohorts which will utilize the same format.
This programming is designed to aid participants in issue focused spoken word artistry. Artist will learn how to speak peace to violence, life in the midst of death and hope in the midst of hopelessness. These sessions which are offered in six week intervals are designed to teach participants how to envision , structure and ultimately embody their words in the creation and ultimate performances.
Date TBA
*Introductions
* 10 Minute Conversation getting to know the participants. Simple Questions presented such as what neighborhood are the participants from, and what particular hobbies do they have.
*5 Minute Conversation on the Power of words. What is the difference between words heard and words spoken?
Our facilitator will assist participants in understanding the relationship between speaking positive, thinking positive, and achieving a positive outcome.
*Poem: Who am I ? By Coach Hood
*Instructing participants to free write their own & Who am I poem.
*open dialogue surrounding 4 questions
1)How does the poem makes them feel about themselves?
2) How do they believe the poem makes others view them?
3) If they could change anything what would that look like?
4)If they wouldn’t change a thing related to their poem, why not?
10 Minute Vent session on how they would make those changes.
Theme Where I’m From
10 minute questions regarding the environment that participants currently reside.
1) What does that space look like?
2)What does that space inspire you to do?
3)How could you use your voice to transform that space into a place of peace?
* Check mood of participants
*5 minute Free write to clear random thoughts and warm up pens.
10 Minute writing session about the current environment
Where I’m From
*Discuss the mood of what was written
1)How does the environment both positively and negatively affect them.
2)What plans on change do they have in place?
3) How are we the beneficiaries of voices that spoke up for change yesterday?
Week 5&6
3rd Poem WHERE IM AT
* 10 MINUTE writing session describing current living status.
1) Participants will describe how their current living status affects them.
2)Facilitator will lead participants in a discussion regarding how historically change has occurred when as a people individually and collectively we courageously spoke truth into a space.
Spend 2 sessions on each theme, getting comfortable speaking & delivering each poem.


Spoken Word Programming
Our words have the power to speak peace into conflicting circumstances
Spoken Word Mentoring Program-Speak Your Peace
These sessions will utilize the art of creative writing to channel emotion in a positive direction in an effort to teach conflict resolution. Ages 12- Adult These workshops will be divided into two cohorts which will utilize the same format.
This programming is designed to aid participants in issue focused spoken word artistry. Artist will learn how to speak peace to violence, life in the midst of death and hope in the midst of hopelessness. These sessions which are offered in six week intervals are designed to teach participants how to envision , structure and ultimately embody their words in the creation and ultimate performances.
Date TBA


Cultural Awareness Programming
This Programming consists of a variety of fine arts pathways which consistently enrich our community in three areas of development and awareness
A. Connecting our participants with African cultural arts and rituals which develop cultural and historical awareness through sound.
B. Connecting our participants with African centered visual exposure through art work, creative videos movies and documentaries designed to instill community enrichment through a unifying call for peace.
African Centered Visual and Video Art as a Pathway to Peace TBA








Cultural Awareness Programming
This Programming consists of a variety of fine arts pathways which consistently enrich our community in three areas of development and awareness
A. Connecting our participants with African cultural arts and rituals which develop cultural and historical awareness through sound.
B. Connecting our participants with African centered visual exposure through art work, creative videos movies and documentaries designed to instill community enrichment through a unifying call for peace.
African Centered Visual and Video Art as a Pathway to Peace TBA
Actively
Rebuilding
Together
Noyz
N = Numinous: the powerful personal experience of being overwhelmed yet inspired.
Ometz Lev
(OH-metz layv)
Having the Courage (of heart); a boldness to challenge and tear down obstacles or walls of oppression that block greatness within our community.
Yugen
A profound sense of the beauty of
the universe that triggers a deep emotional response. A deep caring for your community that nurtures a desire to transform words into actions.
Zerizut
(Ze- ree - zoot)
Get Involved
THE SPACE WHERE THE SPIRIT OF OUR ANCESTORS AND THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY PARTNER WITH GOD TO NURTURE CREATIVITY, CONFLICT RESOLUTION & COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT.
LIST OF ALL EVENTS
Upcoming
Returning Citizens Programming TBA
Career & College Readiness Programming TBA
Building Trade Programming TBA
Entrepreneurship Programming TBA
95th Street Peace Walks Against Gun Violence
April 2022 - October 2022 (2nd & 4th Saturday, 4:00 - 5:30 PM)
Cultural Awareness Programming August TBA
Tuesday 5-6:30pm weekly
Conflict Resolution Martial Arts Programming 200 West 95th Street, Chicago, IL
Movies With a Message TBA
Saturday September 3, 2022 10am - 4pm
Art of NOYZ / Brothers Keeper 2nd Annual Stop The Violence 3 on 3 Basketball Classic
330 East 133rd Street, Chicago, IL
August TBA
Speaking Your Peace Against Violence
95th & Princeton