CHICAGO - The Rambler Alliance for Equity (RAE) organized a department-wide experience this year through Chicago Foodways Tours, bringing Loyola student-athletes, coaches and staff together to explore Chicago's Uptown neighborhood through food, history and storytelling. Designed to create opportunities for experiential learning and meaningful conversations, the annual RAE trip connected the Loyola Athletics community with one of the city's most culturally diverse neighborhoods.

This year's experience centered on Chicago Foodways' Global Street Foods of Uptown tour, which explored Argyle Street and the Lawrence and Broadway corridor while highlighting the immigrant communities that have helped shape the neighborhood throughout generations.

"We chose the Foodways tour of Uptown because it's a neighborhood near Rogers Park with a rich history," said Joellen Hatchett, Loyola's academic advisor for student-athletes and the event coordinator. "Many immigrants have settled here over the years, and food is a great way to share culture and learn about different backgrounds. It was great to see the student-athletes experience Argyle and Lawrence together."

Chicago Foodways offers small-group walking tours through neighborhoods across the city, using family-owned restaurants and local businesses to tell stories of immigration, culture and history.

"The term 'foodways' reflects the connection between food, culture and history, and immigrant stories became a major passion of mine," said Phyllis Petrilli, owner/operator of Chicago Foodways Tours. "My mission is to use food as a way to connect cultures and help people appreciate the work and courage of immigrant families who build businesses in Chicago."

Throughout the experience, Loyola student-athletes sampled foods from Ecuador, Ethiopia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Turkey, Venezuela and Vietnam while learning about the cultures and communities represented throughout Uptown. Popular items among participants included Venezuelan arepas, quesabirria tacos and coconut brioche rolls.

In addition to introducing students to new cuisines, the tour highlighted stories of immigration through historical landmarks and the Roots of Argyle mural, showcasing the generations of people who have shaped the neighborhood and the city.

"It was fun stepping outside my comfort zone and learning about the culture and history behind the food," said Kira Chivers, a student-athlete on Loyola's women's basketball team. "Exploring Chicago's diversity together helped broaden our perspectives and brought us closer as a team because we were all learning and sharing the experience together."

For organizers, moments like Chivers' experience represented exactly what the tour was designed to accomplish.

"Many students came from smaller communities with less cultural diversity," Petrilli said. "I wanted them to feel comfortable trying new foods, embracing new experiences and supporting family-owned businesses."

Food became more than just the centerpiece of the tour — it became a way for participants to connect through personal experiences and shared memories.

"No matter where you come from, food is tied to family and home," Petrilli said. "We may eat different things, but the emotions and memories connected to food are universal."

RAE co-founder and Loyola Director of Marketing and Special Events Kieran Murphy said the experience aligned closely with the organization's mission.

"RAE's goal from the beginning has been to create a sense of belonging at Loyola, regardless of background," Murphy said. "Learning how our local community was shaped through stories of immigration — and delicious food — was the perfect way to connect our department with the neighborhood while supporting local businesses."

Loyola Athletics' Chicago Foodways experience marks the fourth department-wide outing organized by RAE. Previous experiences included visits to the Chicago History Museum in 2025, the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center in 2024 and the Illinois Holocaust Museum in 2023.