Lit Lawn Collective

‘Little Lawndale in the Park’ is the creation of three Lawndale neighbors with a goal to transform the underutilized resources of Douglass Park.

Leo Guzman is a DJ, organizer and lifelong Lawndale resident who is deeply invested in enriching the community through arts initiatives. In 2021 he organized the “Little Lawndale Lounge”. The project evolved with community participation and the ‘Little Lawndale Block Party’ was born as a meeting point for the community to gather & celebrate. 

Jonah Rapino is a violin player with over 25 years of performing and presenting live music around the world. He currently runs a DIY performance space called Wolf Village that has showcased over 30 local and regional performers since 2021.

Taykhoom Biviji is a storyteller, arts administrator & cultural producer dedicated to building community through the arts. For over a decade, he has collaborated with artists, designers, museums, schools, nonprofits and the City of Chicago to support arts education and creative placemaking initiatives in the Lawndale community. His work centers on amplifying local voices, celebrating culture, and creating spaces for growth, connection, and belonging.