When meal distribution was disrupted at Chicago schools during the unrest of protests over the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, many nonprofits in the city filled the food gap. One of those was 360 Nation, a community group on the West Side founded by a former Cluster Tutoring student, W.D. “Danton” Floyd.

When Danton heard that schools were suspending food distribution, he bought supplies at Costco and a local grocery store, then put together food packets of fruit cups, sandwiches, and bottles. He handed out packets to 30 families the same afternoon.

“To us, even 24 hours without food access for families is too long,” Danton told Chalkbeat Chicago. The effort showed that “people could step in and provide for people what the state can’t provide, even though it should.”

Danton Floyd founded 360 Nation after 10 years of experience as an educator, youth worker, and organizer to improve black neighborhoods on the West Side where he grew up. The group aims to serve as a model for self-reliance for black children and their families. Its website describes 360 Nation as an organization that uses relationship-building, gifts, and talents to promote self-determination in the black community. It offers programs throughout the school year and summer, including its Summer Freedom School, to focus on students in grades 6-12. Its core values are creativity, resilience, reflection, and hope.

Danton started as a Cluster student in the 5th grade and stayed until he graduated high school in 2000. He has been back at Cluster a few times to speak about careers and to attend the year-end pizza party.

Danton’s mother, Faye Graham Floyd, is on the Cluster Tutoring Board of Directors.