Rev. Andrea Hood is passionately leading the call for justice at the 1,000 Mile March in Chicago. Hood’s dedication to community and youth empowerment exemplifies faith-driven activism.
On a recent Friday night on Chicago’s South Side, laughter and cheering filled a small community theater, replacing the usual street noise. Under the glow of the stage lights, teenagers performed an original play that explored themes of hope, heartbreak, and second chances. In the front row, Rev. Andrea Hood smiled proudly, holding back tears.
As the founder of the “I CAN” Outreach organization, Hood — affectionately known as “Momma Hood” in the neighborhood — has spent decades pouring love, faith, and real-world lessons into the next generation. In 2016, she organized an anti-violence block party in Gage Park to bring peace, healing, and unity to a hurting community. That’s just who she is.
“We show these kids that with faith in God and themselves, they can overcome anything,” she says. Her voice is steady. Her mission is louder. For Hood, faith and family aren’t just principles. They’re lifelines. They’re how you fight back against chaos. They’re how you love back against hate.
Hood’s legacy of outreach is now being amplified by Tru Hood Studio LLC, a family-run multimedia company shifting the narrative for youth in Chicago. Co-founded by members of Hood’s own family—including her son, artist, and filmmaker Christopher Tru Hood—the studio provides a safe space for teens to create, express, and heal.
At Tru Hood Studio, youth learn photography, record music, write short films, and share testimonies. They tell the truth—their truth—and do it in a space that feels like home.
The studio’s mission is rooted in three pillars:
Faith. Family. Film.
Faith is achieved through spiritual mentorship and prayer.
Family through unconditional love and support.
The film, through storytelling, transforms pain into purpose.
Their recent showcase was proof. Rev. Hood opened with a powerful prayer. Pastor and entrepreneur Richard Holmes set up a youth-run pop-up shop selling custom apparel. Filmmaker Donte Payne ran the camera crew, which consisted of all teens. The result? It was a powerful night of raw stories and standing ovations.
“Faith, family, film — it’s a powerful combination,” Hood says, watching the kids take their bows. “This is what hope looks like.”
As the lights dimmed and people filed out, one young performer clutched his gear and whispered, “They gave me a chance to tell my story. Now I want to help others tell theirs.”
In Chicago, thanks to a faithful community and one humble studio, a new narrative is rising — one frame at a time.