The public is invited to celebrate the grand reopening of the newly renovated Malcolm X College West Campus and Danny K. Davis Community Center

CHICAGO—  The public is invited to attend the Malcolm X College West Campus ribbon cutting in celebration of the grand reopening of its Community Center and newly renovated spaces. This event is hosted by Malcolm X College, City Colleges of Chicago, and the Public Buildings Commission (PBC) of Chicago.

The public event will celebrate the completion of a $20 million renovation that has transformed the West Campus into a brighter, more welcoming, and modern space for students, faculty, visitors, and the surrounding community.

“The transformation of Malcolm X College’s West Campus reflects the kind of investment our communities deserve,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “By expanding opportunities for students and strengthening a vital institution on Chicago’s West Side, this project will help ensure that residents of Austin, Garfield Park and surrounding neighborhoods have greater access to the education and resources they need to build strong and stable futures.”

The program and ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at Malcolm X College West Campus, 4624 W. Madison Street in Chicago. Invited guests include community leaders, elected officials, students, and leaders from City Colleges of Chicago, Malcolm X College, and PBC.

“Today, we are opening the doors to a brilliant new chapter for our West Campus and the entire West Side. This beautiful new design and space ensures our students and neighbors have the state-of-the-art resources they deserve to learn, connect, and thrive,” said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago.

“Our newly renovated satellite campus with a brand new 3,000 square foot Community Center is more than just a beautiful build-out. It is a state-of-the-art space built for learning, collaboration, and above all else, creating community,” said President David A. Sanders, Malcolm X College. “This campus is now a more vital resource where neighbors can gather, connect, and thrive alongside our students.”

The renovation has enhanced the campus experience through refreshed interiors, upgraded ceilings and a more inviting lobby that brings new energy and functionality to the facility. The improvements are designed to support the growing needs of students while creating additional opportunities for the surrounding community to gather and connect.

“This project represents the best part of our work – investment in students, the community, and our future leaders. These community investments create innovative spaces that inspire collaboration and learning—and expand opportunities for generations to come,” said Executive Director Ray Giderof, PBC. “The PBC is proud to partner with City Colleges of Chicago and Malcolm X College to deliver a modern, welcoming facility that supports students while providing a valuable community resource for the Austin and Garfield Park neighborhoods.”

The new Danny K. Davis Community Center, recently named after U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis for his vision and support of Malcolm X College and its west campus, features a more welcoming lobby space, assembly hall, and an outdoor patio space, all open to public for rental.

The Community Center is designed to benefit both the college and the surrounding Austin and Garfield Park neighborhoods—and it also has the potential to increase student capacity of the satellite campus by 50% to serving about 2,000 students each year. For rental of the Danny K. Davis Community Center, visit XXX.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome our neighbors and students into this incredible new space,” said Dean Barbara Meschino, Malcolm X College West Campus. “By expanding our capacity to serve more students annually and introducing the vibrant Danny K. Davis Community Center, we are strengthening our roots in the Austin and Garfield Park neighborhoods.”

Malcolm X College West Campus offers students basic and advanced certifications in health science career pathways including CNA, college prerequisite courses, and early college courses for high schoolers. It also offers free Adult Education, English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, and Illinois High School Diploma (formerly GED) test preparation courses.

City Colleges of Chicago is enrolling now for 8-week classes that begin October 19. For more information about City Colleges of Chicago visit www.ccc.edu, click here; or call 773-COLLEGE (773-265-5343).

Media contact: Veronica Resa, director of Media Relations, City Colleges of Chicago, (e) vresa1@ccc.edu

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Malcolm X College is one of the seven City Colleges of Chicago. It is a Center of Excellence in healthcare education, offering top-tier associate degrees and certificate programs that prepare students for successful careers.

City Colleges of Chicago is the city’s most accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobility and racial equity, City Colleges of Chicago catalyzes our students’ capacity to prosper and take part in building a stronger and more just Chicago.

The development of the center was overseen by the PBC. The project brings high-quality college resources and public gathering spaces directly to West Side families and is open to everyone. The project included the PBC’s innovative student hiring provisions, in partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago Dawson Technical Institute. Since 1972, the PBC has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the City Colleges of Chicago and has built or completed major rehabilitation of several facilities including, but not limited, to Richard J. Daley College Manufacturing Technology & Engineering Center (MTEC), Olive-Harvey College, Malcolm X College, Harry S Truman College, Kennedy-King College, Dawson Technical Institute, Malcolm X College West Campus (formerly the West Side Learning Center), and Harold Washington College.