Chicago City Wire

Mayor Brandon Johnson marked the 10-year anniversary of the Dyett High School Hunger Strike, a 34-day protest by parents and community leaders to prevent the closure of Dyett High School in Chicago’s Washington Park neighborhood. The commemoration event was held at the Chicago Cultural Center, where Johnson presented honorary street signs to those who participated in the hunger strike.

“We fought to save Dyett High School because we still believe in the promise of a quality public education for every single child in Chicago,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The community, the parents, and the teachers came together to resist the closure of Dyett. The four-year-long fight for Dyett, which culminated in the 34-day hunger strike, is a testament to the importance of strong community-based organizations like the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) in our neighborhoods. Organizations like KOCO have led the struggle against school privatization since 2004 and built up a base to fight back against school closures. The coalition of community members, educators, and advocates led to the successful struggle to save Dyett, and I am honored to have been a part of that history.”

Johnson joined participants on day 24 of their hunger strike until an agreement was reached that included reopening Dyett with additional city investments.

“Today, we continue to fight for fully funded schools and an equitable distribution of resources throughout our city. It is more urgent than ever to come together around a common agenda to make our schools the hubs of our communities,” Johnson added.

Earlier this year, student-athletes from Dyett visited City Hall after their men’s basketball team won its first 2A State Championship—a milestone achieved ten years after efforts succeeded in keeping their school open. Photos from this meeting are available here.

Chicago Board of Education Member Jitu Brown reflected on Johnson’s involvement: “For then-organizer Brandon Johnson to join the hunger strike how he did was more than a sign of solidarity; it was a showing of true brotherhood,” Brown said. “I appreciate that we have a mayor who didn't just talk the talk about his willingness to fight for public education. He lived it. It is in those moments of real struggle when you learn where people really stand, and this mayor showed exactly who he is when he joined that hunger strike ten years ago.”

20th Ward Alderwoman Jeanette B. Taylor also recalled her experience as one of those involved: “Ten years ago, our community had to put our lives on the line to save Dyett High School. Parents, grandparents, teachers, and neighbors undertook a courageous hunger strike because the city turned its back on us and thought they could close Dyett without a fight. We proved them wrong,” Taylor said. “As we mark this anniversary, we honor the legacy of those who stood in the gap for our children, and we recommit ourselves to the work ahead. Every young person in our city deserves a fully-resourced school, caring educators, and the opportunity to thrive.”

In 2013 Chicago closed fifty schools—the largest mass closing by any U.S. city—affecting over 17,000 students and 1,500 staff members (https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/14/us/a-hunger-strike-in-chicago.html). Dyett was among several targeted but ultimately remained open following sustained advocacy.

Currently operating near full capacity as both an educational institution and community hub supporting families (https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/03/24/10-years-after-hunger-strikers-saved-dyett-high-school-boys-basketball-team-wins-state-title), Dyett Arts has become known as an early adopter for Sustainable Community Schools—an approach offering wrap-around services beyond academics.

Mayor Johnson recently announced what he described as Chicago’s largest expansion yet for Sustainable Community Schools: nearly doubling participating sites from twenty currently up to thirty-six during 2025-26 (https://blockclubchicago.org/2016/11/02/dyett-reopens-with-14-6m-upgrade-a-year-after-hunger-strike-stops-closure). As outlined under agreements between CPS and CTU leaderships (https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/breaking/ct-dyett-high-school-championship-mayor-johnson-meeting-photos-20250325-rzkhbtxf6jhj7etn7gphnx6wqe-photogallery.html), total Sustainable Community Schools are expected eventually rise further—to seventy—over time.

Supporters cite progress at Dyett Arts as evidence that increased funding combined with robust local engagement can help reverse trends associated with chronic disinvestment.