Urban Male Network Inaugurates Empowerment Center in Englewood: A New Chapter for Youth Mentorship & Opportunity
On Saturday, September 6, 2025, the Urban Male Network (UMN) officially opened the doors to its new Empowerment Center at 6500 S. Carpenter Street in Englewood, marking a milestone in the organization’s mission to uplift young men in underserved communities.
A Community Celebration & Symbol of Renewal
The ribbon-cutting ceremony began at noon, following an opening ceremony from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and was followed by an afternoon of food, music, and community engagement. The day served not only to commemorate the launch of a physical space, but to highlight UMN’s vision: turning a long-vacant building into a hub of possibility, purpose, and power for South Side youth.
Dr. Marlon Haywood, UMN’s founder and CEO, reflected on the personal significance of this moment, noting that the center is located just blocks from where he grew up. He emphasized that this is more than a facility — it’s a beacon of hope for youth who walk similar paths.
Cook County, via the Cook County Land Bank Authority, played a pivotal role in enabling the project. UMN acquired the building from the Land Bank and invested in transforming the property, formerly abandoned and dilapidated, into a vibrant space for youth development. Toni Preckwinkle, Cook County Board President, affirmed the center as a sign of revitalization and community investment.
What the Empowerment Center Offers
The new facility will serve as a base for UMN’s programming and will house:
- Workspace for workforce development and enrichment programming
- Podcast production and media rooms, fostering storytelling and digital skills
- Conference rooms for mentoring sessions, workshops, and community gatherings
- Recreational and wellness spaces, which in prior announcements included plans for a basketball court, gaming studio, and meditation room
This physical center allows UMN to expand the reach and depth of its programming and serve more youth in an environment engineered for growth, support, and empowerment.
UMN’s Mentorship Model & Youth Services
At its core, UMN delivers mentorship built around three core models:
- Informal mentoring, which builds social connections through events, community service, and shared experiences
- Formal one-on-one mentoring, designed to help mentees set and achieve specific goals
- Group mentoring, encouraging shared growth, peer support, and collaborative learning
Beyond mentorship, UMN offers:
- Teen employment opportunities
- Counseling services
- Professional attire experiences (e.g., access to clothing suitable for interviews or work)
- College readiness programs
- Career exploration initiatives
These services are woven together to help youth succeed not just in school, but in work and in life more broadly.
Impact & Vision Going Forward
UMN’s reach is already substantial. Each year, the organization supports more than 325 young men of color across Chicago and the South Suburbs, providing tens of thousands of hours of direct mentorship, enrichment, and employment opportunities. In prior years, UMN operated across 11 schools and multiple community sites, offering paid opportunities to over 150 teens.
With the opening of the Empowerment Center, UMN is poised to deepen that impact. The presence of a dedicated physical hub will help consolidate programs, foster collaboration with community partners, and anchor UMN’s work in Englewood’s ongoing revitalization efforts.
Dr. Haywood described the grand opening as a defining moment in “redefining what it means to be an urban male,” positioning the center as a place of identity, opportunity, dignity, and upward mobility.
A Call to the Community
UMN extends an open invitation to neighbors, community stakeholders, families, mentors, and youth to engage with the new center — whether by attending events, volunteering, or participating in programs. The organization sees the Empowerment Center not just as its own space, but as a community asset, one that is meant to grow with and be shaped by those it serves.
As UMN forges ahead, the grand opening represents far more than a ceremonial ribbon. It signals a renewed commitment to leadership, resilience, and generational change — and opens the door for youth in Englewood to imagine new possibilities for their futures.
