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In the News

For Obama acquaintance, ‘change’ was not enough

Some community activists on Chicago’s South Side, such as Mark Allen of the group Black Wall Street Chicago, have been left disillusioned by the president who once made their acquaintance.

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Chicago activist Mark S. Allen, chairman and acting executive director of Black Wall Street Chicago, a group that struggles to promote economic growth on the South Side of the city, sits in his “club,” a community bar named The There. He was formerly an acquaintance of President Obama, but says, “Things haven’t gone the way we’d hoped after Barack got elected.”

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Allen, center, speaks with Emmanuel Jackson, right, CEO and founder of Evanston Technology Partners, Inc., as another friend, Joe McAtee, passes by in front of The There. Allen was working with Jackson on a project to teach cloud computing to people in the community.

Allen, center, speaks with Emmanuel Jackson, right, CEO and founder of Evanston Technology Partners, Inc., as another friend, Joe McAtee, passes by in front of The There. Allen was working with Jackson on a project to teach cloud computing to people in the community.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Allen, right, laughs with Ameena Matthews, director and conflict mediator consultant of Al-Hafeez Initiative, as they help jump a car after leaving the annual reunion of former staff members and volunteers at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Allen and other community activists have been left disillusioned by Obama’s time in office so far.

Allen, right, laughs with Ameena Matthews, director and conflict mediator consultant of Al-Hafeez Initiative, as they help jump a car after leaving the annual reunion of former staff members and volunteers at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Allen and other community activists have been left disillusioned by Obama’s time in office so far.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Allen plays the piano as his sister's boyfriend, Antara Shaddod, recites poetry at Allen’s parent’s home, where he also lives. Obama’s 2009 stimulus package has failed to touch ordinary South Side residents, Allen says.

Allen plays the piano as his sister's boyfriend, Antara Shaddod, recites poetry at Allen’s parent’s home, where he also lives. Obama’s 2009 stimulus package has failed to touch ordinary South Side residents, Allen says.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

J.Q. Darden, a Chicago activist, and Allen, left, react as Rev. Helen St. Clair, center right, hugs Rev. Jesse Jackson during her birthday celebration at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Marie Buscemi, a volunteer chaplain, right, sings her a song.

J.Q. Darden, a Chicago activist, and Allen, left, react as Rev. Helen St. Clair, center right, hugs Rev. Jesse Jackson during her birthday celebration at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Marie Buscemi, a volunteer chaplain, right, sings her a song.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Allen, left, helps Rev. Willie T. Barrow, center, retired national chairman of the Board of Operation Push, to her car with Dennis Brady at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Allen has expressed his frustrations in an e-mail to White House adviser Valerie B. Jarrett, who, he says, politely answered that the administration believes that it has been appropriately responsive to the community.

Allen, left, helps Rev. Willie T. Barrow, center, retired national chairman of the Board of Operation Push, to her car with Dennis Brady at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition National Headquarters in Chicago. Allen has expressed his frustrations in an e-mail to White House adviser Valerie B. Jarrett, who, he says, politely answered that the administration believes that it has been appropriately responsive to the community.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Members of the Bronzeville Historical Society cheer as they watch Barack Obama win the 2008 election on TV in Chicago’s South Side. Bronzeville is the historical cultural center of the African American community in Chicago, and Obama’s election resonated hugely among its residents.

Members of the Bronzeville Historical Society cheer as they watch Barack Obama win the 2008 election on TV in Chicago’s South Side. Bronzeville is the historical cultural center of the African American community in Chicago, and Obama’s election resonated hugely among its residents.

Jean-Marc Giboux / Getty Images

Rev. Richard L. Tolliver puts on his cope in the sacristy of St. Edmund's Episcopal Church. The Church is located in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side, and Tolliver is one of the community leaders who have clout with the administration.

Rev. Richard L. Tolliver puts on his cope in the sacristy of St. Edmund's Episcopal Church. The Church is located in Washington Park on Chicago’s South Side, and Tolliver is one of the community leaders who have clout with the administration.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

Rev. Richard L.Tolliver, left, greets Lorrice Gardner as Helen Brewington and other members wait in line after the 10:30 am service at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church. Tolliver has benefited from his acquaintance with the president, even though others on the South Side have been left behind. “It’s been difficult, but what the administration has done for us and some others shows they are trying hard,” he says.

Rev. Richard L.Tolliver, left, greets Lorrice Gardner as Helen Brewington and other members wait in line after the 10:30 am service at St. Edmund's Episcopal Church. Tolliver has benefited from his acquaintance with the president, even though others on the South Side have been left behind. “It’s been difficult, but what the administration has done for us and some others shows they are trying hard,” he says.

Heather Stone / For The Washington Post

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