CHICAGO - s4story -- Spur Chicago, a nonprofit organization focused on emotional literacy and whole-person development across generations, will host its next installment of the M⁴PowerED Summer Workshop Series on Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Chicago Public Library – West Pullman Branch.

The featured workshop, titled Mindfulness in eMOTION, will spotlight keynote speaker Markedia Alston, author of The Boo-Hoo Bear and advocate for emotional literacy and early education.

The Mindfulness in eMOTION workshop is part of Spur Chicago's flagship M⁴PowerED framework, which integrates Mindfulness, Movement, Mastery, and Mentorship as four foundational pillars of personal and community transformation.

This session aims to guide participants—youth and adults ages 5 to 40+ through grounding techniques, emotional reflection, and breathwork practices designed to increase self-awareness and improve emotional resilience.

Featured Keynote: Markedia Alston

Alston, a former 911 dispatcher, authored The Boo-Hoo Bear to help children—and the adults who guide them—recognize, name, and process emotions. Her keynote will explore the relationship between emotional literacy, public safety, and intergenerational healing.

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Equity-Driven Innovation with Scalable Impact

This offering is part of Spur Chicago's broader initiative to expand emotional intelligence, educational access, and leadership development in historically underserved areas. Through trauma-informed storytelling, creative expression, and curriculum co-design, Spur aims to position M⁴PowerED as a replicable model for schools, community organizations, and policy institutions.

Event Details

Mindfulness in eMOTION
Thursday, July 3, 2025
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM CT
West Pullman Library – 830 W 119th Street, Chicago, IL
Free and Open to the Public | Ages 5–40+
More Information: www.spurchi.org

About Spur Chicago

Spur Chicago is a nonprofit organization advancing trauma-informed education, emotional   literacy, and community-based leadership. Its signature M⁴PowerED model serves individuals from early childhood through adulthood, creating accessible and intergenerational learning environments rooted in mindfulness, movement, mastery, and mentorship. Spur Chicago is currently supported by regional partners and is actively seeking philanthropic, corporate, and institutional partners to expand its programming footprint across Chicago and beyond.