Bronzeville is the site of the first physical space for the nonprofit Free Root Operation, an organization that provides wellness and economic development services for women to combat generational trauma. With Free Root Operation, founder and executive director Eva Maria Lewis combats the impacts of systemic inequalities — such as disinvestment and residential segregation — that have caused disadvantages for Black people living on the South and West sides. Her goal is to mitigate what she describes as “poverty-induced gun violence.”“I believe the gun violence that we experience here is directly tied to colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade,” Lewis said. “In order to combat that, we don’t need to necessarily look at behavior and modification in people and individualistic prevention methods, but we need to look at systems as a whole and also to approach a person through a multi-lineage analysis.”The 4,000-square-foot center includes three main rooms for programming and space for counseling. Also included is a kitchen and a full bathroom, which Lewis said is essential in helping women who are battling housing insecurity to have a place to take care of their basic needs with “dignity.”