A Chicago pastor brought hundreds of men together on the city’s South Side Sunday in an effort to reduce violence and restore what was once the city’s most dangerous neighborhood.
Pastor Corey B. Brooks and Project HOOD hosted a “1000 Men Unity Gathering” at the nearly completed Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center at 6620 S. King Drive, where organizers declared the environment “100% non-violent.”
“This is bigger than a building,” Brooks said. “This is about building a culture where men come together to protect families, empower young people, reduce violence, build something that will surpass us.”
“We declare that this community deserves peace, opportunity and hope,” he added.
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Hundreds of men gathered outside the nearly completed Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center during Pastor Corey B. Brooks’ “1000 Men Unity Gathering” on Chicago’s South Side. (Project HOOD) (Credit: Corey B. Brooks)
The event brought together pastors, fathers, counselors, activists, business leaders, former gang members and citizens from across Chicago in what organizers described as a united effort to promote safety, accountability and opportunity on the South Side.
Brooks told Fox News Digital that about 750 men attended the meeting, where community members pledged to maintain a safe environment for families and children.
“We have declared that this will be a place of peace, a place without violence, a place without violence,” Brooks said. “So young children can come to the center and have peace of mind knowing they don’t have to worry about their safety.”
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Chicago Police at the scene. (Getty Images)
The Robert R. McCormick Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center is designed to address violence and poverty through workforce development, training, education, entrepreneurship, job training and community engagement, according to Project HOOD.
Attendees got an early look inside the center Sunday as organizers outlined plans for the center to serve future generations on Chicago’s South Side.
Brooks said the area around the facility was once considered one of the most dangerous areas in Chicago.
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Project HOOD Founder and Pastor Corey Brooks in November 2025.
“In 2014, the Chicago Sun-Times wrote an article saying this is the most dangerous place in Chicago, and it just so happened to be this place,” Brooks told Fox News Digital. “So, we decided to change it, and that’s what happened.”
The area no longer ranks among Chicago’s 35 most dangerous blocks, which Brooks says is due to continued community investment and outreach efforts.
He founded Project HOOD – Helping Others Obtain Destiny – to reduce violence and poverty on Chicago’s South Side through education, faith, workforce training and economic development programs.
Brooks said he hopes the project can serve as a national model for urban communities looking for long-term change.
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“I think this facility will be a model for what we can do across America in urban areas,” Brooks said. “If we don’t wait for the government to take action, we can change the course of these urban areas.”
