On June 18, our ENJOY Andersonville neighborhood marked a milestone—the groundbreaking of its first-ever pedestrian plaza on the corner of Catalpa and Clark, named in honor of Black trans advocate and community leader Elise Malary.
After years of community planning, advocacy, and design, Andersonville officially broke ground on Elise Malary Plaza—the neighborhood's first pedestrian plaza and a permanent public tribute to one of its most beloved advocates.
Elise Malary was a Black trans woman and fierce community leader who co-founded Chicago Therapy Collective and launched the #HireTransNow campaign, recruiting over 300 businesses to create trans-inclusive workplaces. She was a board member, a changemaker, and a cornerstone of this community. She passed away in March 2022. The plaza—a car-free, tree-lined public gathering space on Catalpa Avenue between Clark and Ashland—will carry her name and her legacy forward in a way that can be felt every single day.
Our own Dena Jo Pavlovic, who manages our ENJOY locations in Andersonville and Lincoln Square and serves as secretary of the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce, had the honor of representing the Chamber at the groundbreaking ceremony. We're proud she was there.
The ceremony brought together community members, elected officials, advocates, and Elise's own family—including her sister, Fabiana Malary. It was exactly the kind of gathering Elise's work was always pointed toward—people showing up for one another.
Photo: Chicago Therapy Collective
At the groundbreaking
- Alderperson Andre Vasquez — 40th Ward
- Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth — 48th Ward
- Commissioner William Cheaks — Chicago Department of Transportation
- Senator Mike Simmons — Illinois State Senate District 7
- Channyn Lynne Parker, CEO — Equality Illinois
- Dena Jo Pavlovic — Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Board Secretary & ENJOY Manager
- Iggy V Ladden, Founder & Executive Director — Chicago Therapy Collective
- Fabiana Malary — sister of Elise Malary
"Elise's presence, and her smile, is still felt by so many in Andersonville—and this plaza, this new community space, is going to make sure that never fades. Her work—co-founding Chicago Therapy Collective and launching the Hire Trans Now campaign—impacted hundreds of businesses and countless lives. I come as a manager of a Hire Trans Now business, and have benefited not only professionally but personally from the work that Elise started and championed. This plaza is going to bring so many smiles, just like Elise did to our community—be it a tree to read under, a market to shop, or a holiday to celebrate."
—Dena Jo Pavlovic, Manager, ENJOY & Andersonville Chamber of Commerce Board Secretary
"Elise's work made this neighborhood better for everyone. At ENJOY, we've tried to honor that by showing up for CTC's work in the community. This plaza is a beautiful thing and we're proud to be part of the neighborhood that made it happen."
—Rebecca Wood, Owner, ENJOY