The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. - TRC

06/15/2026

In 1925, a group of nine men met at the Wabash Avenue YMCA in Chicago, Illinois to discuss the formation of a permanent organization that would foster exchanges of information and ideas among African Americans in technologic fields including architecture, engineering, and applied sciences. The group grew and additional meetings were held. The National Technical Association (NTA) was incorporated in the State of Illinois on August 26, 1926.

Come celebrate 100 years of the National Technical Association in the Historic Wabash Avenue YMCA. Hear past NTA presidents and longtime members discuss NTA’s significance, past, present & future.

When: Saturday, June 20, 10am-1pm
Where: Hearth Room, Historic Wabash Avenue YMCA, 3763 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60653

RSVP Here:
https://www.evite.com/event/0299IIAE4SKDAA7LIEPRMNZEJZRBVY

06/10/2026

Do you know a maker, artist, food vendor, or community organization who belongs at the Wabash Y?

Vendor applications are open for the TRC Grand Welcoming & Community Marketplace — launching September 12 at the Historic Former Wabash YMCA. This is the start of a quarterly series running through 2027, and we're building it with vendors who are rooted in their craft and invested in this community.

📅 Grand Welcoming: Saturday, September 12, 2026 | 11 AM – 4 PM
📍 3763 S. Wabash Avenue, Bronzeville
🎟️ Free & open to the community

Four markets. Four seasons. One historic building.
🍂 Homecoming — Sept 12
🎁 Gifted — Dec 12
🌱 Rooted & Rising — Mar 14
☀️ Summertime Chi — Jun 13

Fees start at $25/market. Full-year vendors: $15/market. Nonprofits: $10/market.

👉 Apply or share the link with someone who should: trcwabash.org/marketplace

Spots are limited! Tag a vendor who needs to see this. 👇

06/05/2026

Historic. Rooted. Rising. ✨

The Wabash Y is welcoming you back!

Join The Renaissance Collaborative for the Grand Welcoming & Community Marketplace, a free community celebration marking 100 years of Black History Month and the debut of our first wave of history exhibits.

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
🕐 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
📍 3763 S. Wabash Avenue, Bronzeville
✅ Free & open to the community

Explore history. Shop 15+ Black- and community-owned vendors. See the Wabash Y building toward tomorrow.

Visit the link below to learn more about sponsorship and vendor opportunities.

🔗 trcwabash.org/marketplace

05/19/2026

📺 TONIGHT at 5:30 PM — Check out TRC's Executive Director Oji Eggleston on Chicago Tonight - WTTW - Chicago PBS !

Oji joins Elevated Chicago to talk Equitable Transit-Oriented Development (ETOD) and its impact across Chicago. Abrams Intergenerational Village — our planned 71-unit affordable housing community in Washington Park — is part of that story.

Tune in on Channel 11 or stream at wttw.com. And if AIV moves you, support it at trcwabash.org/aiv.

05/07/2026

We continue to celebrate Oji joining the Elevated Chicago Steering Committee! 🎉 Elevated Chicago has been such an incredible collaborator, guiding and supporting our Abrams Intergenerational Village project from the start.

We are so grateful for this partnership and can't wait to break ground later this year. Stay tuned for updates here: trcwabash.org/aiv 🌱🏘️

🎉 Belated celebration! We’re elated to welcome The Renaissance Collaborative () to Elevated Chicago’s Steering Committee! 
 
For over 30 years, TRC has been a community hub in Bronzeville, providing affordable housing and maximizing the quality of life for homeless adults and seniors with wraparound support. Their experience and expertise as a community-based affordable housing developer will strengthen our collective work to advance equitable transit-oriented development ( ) in Chicago.  
 
TRC will be represented by Executive Director Oji Eggleston. Oji has been a strong partner as an Elevated Works developer, public speaker, and ETOD advocate. Transit was everything for Oji growing up, helping him get to the grocery store, work, and the comic bookstore as a kid and taking it to the YMCA where he played sports and made friends that he’s kept to this day. He believes exposure is critical and that transit and ETOD bring opportunities and resources to TRC’s residents and community members.   
 
Welcome Oji and TRC! Together, we’re creating housing that offers access and opportunities for all.

04/22/2026

One year ago today, we celebrated Earth Day the best way we know how - with community, sunshine, and clean energy! ☀️

We gathered with Renaissance Apartments residents and community partners to watch our SmartFlower bloom - it's been soaking up the sun ever since! 🌸💚

A year later, it's still going strong, providing sustainable energy right here in Bronzeville.

Huge thanks to SmartFlower Solar, Elevate, & ComEd for making it possible. Here's to another year of growing greener together. 🌱

TRC & Partners Gather on on Earth Day to celebrate the restoration of a unique solar panel that tracks the sun to generate 40% more energy that traditional panels.

03/10/2026

📢 Request for Proposals: Marketing & Brand Consultant

TRC is seeking a consultant or agency to lead a comprehensive branding initiative aligned with our upcoming strategic plan and the revitalization of our historic landmark building.

🗓 Key deadline: Proposals due April 1, 2026

View the full RFP and submission details on our website: https://tinyurl.com/5a2se2nk

03/08/2026

Happy ! 🌸

Today we’re celebrating Martha Minerva Franklin, one of the two women featured in TRC’s W.E. Scott mural. A trailblazer in nursing, Franklin dedicated her life to uplifting Black women in leadership and challenging discrimination in the profession. 👩‍⚕️

Learn more about her legacy: https://www.trcwabash.org/news/decoding-the-legacy

03/03/2026

In the heart of Bronzeville, 160 voices came together Saturday to close out Black History Month, celebrating 100 years of a movement that began at the Wabash Y.

As we enter the next phase of restoration, your continued support helps ensure the Wabash Y’s next chapter is just as powerful as its first. Stay tuned for more event photos, and continued updates on our progress toward reopening.

Thank you for being part of the future of this historic place.

02/27/2026

Tomorrow, we open the doors to the Historic Former Wabash YMCA.

Join us for “These Walls Don’t Talk — People Do,” a free community gathering celebrating the 100th anniversary of Negro History Week, the precursor to Black History Month.

🗓 Saturday | 10am–3pm
📍 3763 S. Wabash Ave

Explore archival photos, meet neighbors, & share your connection to the Wabash Y.

Learn more here: https://www.trcwabash.org/preserving-black-history

Come share — or simply listen.