Our Work

For Season 2 of our CAN TV show, host Brenda M. Dixon, founding board member and President & CEO of Major Taylor Trail Keepers, kicks off a powerful season of storytelling, restoration, and legacy-building. On this first monthly episode, she is joined by her granddaughter, Miaya Aaliyah Arrington, for a tribute to the legendary cyclist […]

In August, the Chicago Plan Commission unanimously recommended to the City Council to approve two major documents that will have an impact on the future of the Trail. Housing, business, tourism and other potential for the South Side communities all around the Major Taylor Trail are all considered in a new Major Taylor Land Use

We’re excited to partner with Chicago Park District’s Movies in the Parks this summer to show the PBS Independent Lens documentary Bike Vessel: A Bike Ride from St. Louis to Chicago. This film by Eric D Seals premiered February 24, 2025 and portrays the ways that a father and son bond on an ambitious 350-mile

Brenda Dixon, left and Simone Woods facilitated the workshops at Kroc Center, (shown with a youth attendee holding a copy of a Major Taylor biography) More than 40 young people participated in Major Taylor Trail Keepers youth programming sessions in June and July. We shared stories from Marshall “Major” Taylor’s life, particularly his bravery and

By Brenda Dixon Seven years ago this summer, I helped start a nonprofit to support the growth and development of the Major Taylor Trail on Chicago’s South Side. I had no idea it would grow to such a community project!  Since then and continuing through the formation of Major Taylor Trail Keepers Chicago (MTTKC), our

We are excited to announce the successful launch of Major Taylor Trail Keepers’ first youth program in coordination with the Kroc Center’s After-school program. The segment began the week of April 21, focusing on the theme of citizenship. Community Relations Strategic Partnership Coordinator Simone Woods spoke with students from fifth through seventh grades to explore

On this CAN-TV episode, host Brenda Dixon is joined by Carshena Ross, an attorney and entrepreneur based in Chicago with a thirst for learning and knowledge. Ross is also the owner of the new business at our beloved 111th St. building that honors Marshall ‘Major’ Taylor.     Ross shares her top three pieces of

Brenda Dixon is joined by Bill Gaston, president and founder of Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance. Bill Gaston recounts how he first learned about Major Taylor and the Major Taylor Cycling Club Chicago, his journey as a club captain, and the founding of the Major Taylor International Cycling Alliance. He also explains how he addressed

Dr. Brenda M. Dixon is joined by Dannielle McKinnie and Ojie Murchison, two avid and experienced bike riders and volunteers with Southside Critical Mass, to discuss the community rides they host and the importance of cycling clubs in communities.  The Southside Critical Mass community bike ride meets once a month on the first Friday at 5:45