Malcolm X College celebrated the reopening of its expanded West Campus, which includes a renovated community center named in honor of U.S. Rep. Danny K. Davis, on Saturday with school officials, city and state elected officials and community leaders.
The college broke ground on the $20 million project to expand and renovate its Far West Side satellite campus at 4624 W. Madison St. in November 2024. Now complete, the project culminated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the reopening of the Malcolm X West Campus building. The building houses the former West Side Learning Center, which was renamed the Danny K. Davis Community Center in August. Saturday’s reopening also marked the return of in-person classes at the campus, just days before City Colleges of Chicago students are scheduled to begin the second half of the fall semester.
City College of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado (in blue), Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Malcolm X College President David Sanders (in black suit) join others during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Danny K. Davis Community Center at the Malcolm X College West Campus.
Pat Nabong/Sun-Times
“For Malcolm X [College], Congressman Davis was a trailblazer with raising more than $30 million to help students to come to our college to have equitable support, academic support, tuition assistance — whatever was needed in order for students to be successful,” Sanders said.
Sanders says the modernized campus that borders Austin and Garfield Park allows the satellite campus to increase capacity by 50%, welcoming up to 2,000 students.
“The educational and workforce landscape and needs of our communities continue to evolve, and so must we,” said Barbara Meschino, dean of Malcolm X College’s West Campus.
Before renovations, the exterior had a dated appearance, the Sun-Times reported. The 3,000 square-foot expansion comes with a modernized exterior, recreational and meeting spaces, an outdoor patio space and free parking.
Meschino says students can take pre-requisite courses in biology, math or english and enter in a range of programs from nursing to community health.
“Malcolm X College West Campus has long been a part of this community, and this investment builds on that strong foundation,” Meschino said.
Don Allen is a student in Malcom X College’s community health worker program and serves the school as a student ambassador.
“My roots are here; I’m a West Sider,” Allen said. “So I understand how much today means to this neighborhood.”
Allen says the West Side community is full of potential, but people aren’t always sure what opportunities await them.
“Having a place nearby where residents can gain an affordable education, develop new skills and prepare for more meaningful work makes these opportunities more accessible,” Allen said.