Nicole Patrick: Championing Community Empowerment and Social Justice

Besides being a community advocate, Nicole is also involved in restorative justice issues. As a system impacted individual, Dr. Patrick knows firsthand what urban communities need and deserve. She will always fight to end mass incarceration, slave labor and inhumane treatment as it relates to the prison industrial complex. 

In 2012, Nicole co-founded and became the Executive Director of We R Englewood, a recognized 501 (c) 3, serving youth and families in the Englewood community. We R Englewood provide the community with the resources needed to raise awareness of health care and safety. We R Englewood also host several events throughout the year to educate and provide the community with information and additional resources. 

During the holiday We R Englewood give away hundreds of turkeys, sponsor some families’ entire Thanksgiving meal, create a safe space for our youth to engage in fun activities and provide haircuts and hairdos to youth from pre k to 12th grade. We R Englewood hosts many community events in effort to combat violence. 

Perhaps, Nicole is most proud of restoring the historic Englewood Back to School Parade in 2014. The Parade is truly a gem and has been a part of the community for 62 years. She was able to bring organizations and families back together to continue a great tradition. It is her 

belief that this event will help revitalize hope and restore the sense of community and pride that once existed in the Englewood community. Through her leadership, the parade in 2014, 2015 and 2016 had over 6,000 attendees. At the parades, over 5,000 bags of school supplies were given away, there was free food and drinks, free haircuts, and other giveaways. 

Currently, she is no longer the parade chair but contributes every year and serves as a volunteer. 

Nicole was the recipient of the Fierce over 40 award women of Englewood in 2020, 2020 Psychologist for Social Responsibility Black Girl Magic Award, 2019 The Women Of Change Award, Professionalism award in 2019 of the Meatropolitan Peace Academy, 2018 Making Black History In Englewood Award, 2015 Hope Award and the recipient of Teamwork Englewood 2015 Quality of Life Award. She formerly served as the President of Ogden Park Advisory Council. In 2013 she was chairperson of the Children Home & Aid Parent Policy Committee; president of ETA Parent Activity League in 2008; and she has served as secretary of Yale/Harvard Homeowner Association. But more than anything, Nicole is a proud resident of Englewood