Chicago’s Project Swish expands, promoting personal growth for young men

Project Swish held its “28 Hours of Peace” over the weekend, focused on developing young men.

On Saturday, a bunch of young men sat in the Great Hall at Kennedy King College where they were challenged to ask themselves difficult questions. This served as just one of the many sessions that require them to talk and be vulnerable during the 28 Hours of Peace Program.

“We have 150 students here with us, and I like to say that they’re learning 28 new things, right? We’ve had a financial literacy session that’s going on right now; we are talking about entrepreneurship. Obviously, the main focus is mental health,” Project Swish Chicago founder McKinley Nelson said.

Project Swish is rooted in basketball, but as an anti-violence organization, its mission goes beyond the court.

For most of Saturday and Sunday, the focus is on spending 28 hours at the school, fostering growth, building connections and exploring a path to self-love.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also paid a visit and shared a few words about his own upbringing and the importance of achieving social and emotional well-being.

“The mayor talking to us like what it meant, what it meant to them, his story, you know, kind of brought in to me, losing family members, things like that,” 16-year-old Aking Jordan said.

This is Jordan’s second time taking part in 28 Hours of Peace.

He said it’s been an important opportunity for him to open up about his experiences.

The same holds true for Tony Randle, who has participated every year since the event began.

“Being around people that support you no matter what, it’s a pretty big family and everybody’s like with each other and communicates with each other. So being around that good energy is good for me, too,” Randle said.

Each workshop is designed to focus on healing, mentorship and personal development.

In addition to group discussions, participants will learn life skills such as first aid. There will also be self-care activities including haircuts and massage therapy.

Participants will have the chance to unwind with a game of basketball and show their skills in a talent show.

Out of the 150 participants in the lock-in, 30 students will be chosen to travel to Texas for spring break. While there, they will tour colleges, play basketball and participate in community service.