Explore Chicago’s historic Austin neighborhood through the literal lens of photographer Kenn Cook Jr. on this running tour.
Tickets:
How tickets work:
Monday, May 4 at 8pm: The access code for tickets releases to non-members in our newsletter. Newsletter subscribers get first dibs!
Wednesday, May 6 at 8pm: Any remaining tickets will open to non-subscribers on this page.
Want a guaranteed spot (plus a lot of other perks)? Become a member to join for free.
Read & Run Chicago is headed to Austin!
Join us out of the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library on Saturday, May 16 at 2:00 PM for a nearly three-mile running tour with photographer Kenn Cook Jr., inspired by his photography book, From the West Side, With Love.
Kenn Cook Jr. is a visual storyteller and photographer whose work centers on preserving Black cultural identity. Over three miles at an 11:00 minute per mile pace through 19th century homes of the Austin Historic District., step into the story–and get behind the lens–of Kenn Cook Jr. 's work.
After the running tour, stick around for snacks and a Q&A with Kenn Cook Jr. back at the library, plus access to his pre-release of the photography book, From the West Side, With Love.
Prefer to skip the run? Skip the run and join us back at the library for a post-tour Q&A with Kenn Cook Jr. at 3:15 PM, or purchase a “bike tour” tickets to be guided by BFF Bikes.
No prior reading required.
INCLEMENT WEATHER PLAN: If it becomes unsafe to run or cycle outside, we will hold a modified version of the event indoors starting at the same time, 2:00pm. You will be notified via email no later than 12pm on Saturday, May 16 if there are any changes to the event.
The TL;DR:
DOORS OPEN: Doors open at the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library at 1:45 PM Check in, make a name tag, purchase merch, and mingle with other readers & runners.
ROUTE: The thre-mile route (11:00-12:00 min/mile run or 12-14mph bike ride) features stops where Kenn Cook Jr. photographs.
POST-TOUR: A free Q&A and pre-release sales of Kenn Cook Jr.'s photography book will immediately follow the tour. This portion is tentatively scheduled for 3:15 PM, give or take route conditions.
All ticket holders will receive reminder emails and details 2 days and 4 hours prior to the event.
About your host and speakers:
Read & Run Chicago is a community organization managed under Read & Run Tours. Founded in 2021, the mission is simple: to use movement and stories to explore Chicago. Programming includes free community meetups like book swaps and reading nights, plus what the organization is most known for: book-themed guided runs where stories take place, all inspired by books set in Chicago, mostly written by local authors. Read & Run Chicago’s ultimate goal is to help Chicagoans better connect with themselves, each other, and the physical spaces they call home. Along the way, Read & Run Chicago champions literacy initiatives, local nonprofits, public libraries, independent bookstores, and the writers who bring Chicago’s communities to life. They’ve hosted over 120 events featuring 30+ authors and local experts and have been highlighted by CNN, Runner’s World, Midwest Living, NBC’s Chicago Today, FOX32 Good Day Chicago, WGN Radio, Block Club Chicago, and more. More information at readandrunchicago.com, Instagram, and Facebook.
About Kenn Cook Jr.:Kenn Cook Jr. is a Chicago-based visual storyteller and photographer whose work centers on preserving Black cultural identity. Rooted in his upbringing on Chicago’s Westside, his images merge artistry and advocacy, using photography to amplify underrepresented voices and celebrate the strength and beauty of the Black experience. Introduced to photography by his father, Kenneth Sr., his practice is grounded in family, memory, and legacy. Kenn makes images that function as acts of care, bridging personal memory and public history while offering space to reimagine how Blackness is seen. His ongoing body of work, #MyWestsideStory, highlights community resilience while exploring themes of displacement, belonging, and place.