Rich Conversations: 009. Gary Pressley
Show notes from episode 009 of Rich Conversations with Gary Pressley. Answers are cut down to fit into writing format.
How long have you lived in Chicago?
I am a native Chicagoan. Twenty-eight years and counting.
How would you describe your neighborhood?
Right now I’m in Bronzeville. I’ve been here about three years now. I’ve gotten a nice compositional feel of Chicago. I grew up in what we call the 100’s – West Pullman I guess. Chatham for a little while, lived in Bronzeville, Pilsen, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview. My mom dreamed to live in Hyde Park and there’s where I spend a lot of my time. That’s been a historically vibrant area.
If you have an open Saturday, how would you choose to spend it?
I would say I’d wake up early, but that’s me being ambitious. Probably get a good workout in. Get a good breakfast. BGabs probably. Read. I’ve been reading quite a bit recently. I’m reading some Malcolm Gladwell books right now, like Outliers. I like to better understand how people become successful. If weather is nice, I’d drive up and down lakeshore and listen to some tunes. I should make a playlist for that. All the way from the south side to up north. I like to go to the conservatory, Garfield or Lincoln Park. I love to shoot pool too. I don’t do it much, but if I have an open Saturday, I’d like to do that. I don’t do the clubs or parties like that. I’m pretty chill.
What’s your proudest moment as a Chicagoan?
Just to show some love to the south side, I’d say the White Sox winning the world series in 2005. I happened to be in Georgia at that time. That moment and during Hurricane Katrina when Kanye West called out President Bush about the mistreatment of poor black people in the Gulf area. He meant the establishment, not just President Bush, but that was a Chicago thing to do. I appreciated that.
If a friend visits you from out of town, what restaurant would you take them to?
We’re sitting in one of them. Soul Vegetarian. I’ve been on a plant based diet for the last three—almost four years. You can get something quick or you can come over to this other side and there’s more fried and soul food. You’ll feel amazing after. BGabs is another spot in Hyde Park. Majani in south shore area. Those are my top three picks right now. I’m encouraging people to eat better. I started a blog WholeLottaPlants that documents my journey.
What’s your hidden gem in the city?
I lived in Pilsen for a while. I’d go past 16th street and you can see the murals that are there. I feel like it expresses the creativity that’s in Chicago. Murals are on that whole stretch. Other than that, maybe Promontory Point.
What sound do you most affiliate with the city?
I feel like Chicago and Detroit have a special connection with soul music. Soul, Jazz, and for me hip-hop. We didn’t have a whole lot of hip-hop artists till like Common and Kanye. And they were inspired by the soul here. I feel like Bronzeville was one of those particular areas where that movement was coming from, like the Harlem Renaissance in New York.
What artists have influenced you the most during your time in the city?
Hip-hop artists. Probable Common, Kanye, and Lupe Fiasco. What I like about them is that they collaborate with each other. That’s one of the best aspects of hip-hop. It’s based in community and those artists speak to that and looking out for where they come from.
What’s a common scene you see in your daily interaction with the city?
People hittin’ potholes. People going and coming from work. Kids going to school. I see a lot of homeless lined up under the bridge. I see people grinding, trying to make their way. Make it happen for themselves and their families. I feel like Chicagoans bust their tail to make it happen.
If you were given secret information that Chicago would be destroyed in one week, what’s one quality you’d choose to keep to rebuild it?
Resilience. But I also feel Chicago drives culture. There are some not-so-flattering terms used in culture right now that originate in Chicago. It’s had a big role on culture in general. It’s the heart of the country. It’s got that swagger. People look at you in a certain type of way.
What’s one small thing you’d do to improve your neighborhood?
Fixing the potholes would really help. More town halls to have people’s voices heard. Maybe too that they’d be televised. I think that could bring the city a bit together more. Also some type of thing that would allow north side residents to better understand south side residents better and vise versa. And the west side as well. I think that make for a better city for everyone.
When people learn you’re from Chicago, how do they respond?
That time we moved to Georgia, when people learned we were from Chicago that was something. They think of Michael Jordan, the sports teams, the artists. There’s also the violence they bring up and they ask what it’s actually like. But I definitely get a sense of pride. Not everyone can say they’re from a city that’s internationally recognized.
When you feel overwhelmed or need a mental escape but can’t leave the city, where do you go to clear your mind?
Depends on the season. If it’s warm, I’ll go to 39th Street beach. Sit by the water. Reflect a bit. Get centered again. I like the area by Soldier Field too. That campus area. Great spot to view the skyline.
What’s something you’re curious about recently?
Um. What tends to make people successful or what missteps derail someone’s success. You can look at other people’s lives and pull from that. I’ve always been someone to observe people. I’m a lifelong learner. From what people wear, to what they eat, to what they listen to. I listen to the Breakfast Club and it’s like a career fair.
Within the past five years of living here, what personal realization has improved your outlook on life the most?
I think just the realization that things are the way we make them. You get back what you put in. Appreciating the small moments and put out positive energy so you can get that back.
What’s something you dream of accomplishing over the next five years?
Something I’m working on now what started as a blog, WholeLottaPlants, into a full fledged business. Helping people eat healthier. Working on recipes and operating as a business. I want to do it the proper way.