Dr. Clinton Boyd Jr., executive director of Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities, shares his personal journey, mission, and vision for empowering Black fathers and building stronger communities through healing, education, and faith (All Photos Courtesy of Dr. Clinton Boyd Jr.). As an advocate for uplifting Black men, I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Clinton Boyd Jr. in April at The Imperative of Investing in Black Men and Fathers in Chicago, an event hosted by the City Club of Chicago. In 2021, Dr. Boyd Jr. became the executive director

Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, outlines her bold vision to fight economic injustice, political violence, and cultural erasure—while building a new legacy for Black women across generations (Photo: Instagram). For Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley, seeing the dismantling of the Black Lives Matter Plaza about a mile from her Washington D.C. office was an actual and symbolic loss that was personal.   “It feels like a bulldozer coming down your heart,” she said. “It feels like we don’t have control.” In speaking of “we,” Arline-Bradley

For Daniel Ash, the work of social justice is more than a profession; it’s a calling rooted in personal experience and shaped by the transformative power of human connection. What began as a simple urge to help his hometown community in Ohio has evolved into a decades-long mission to build equity, amplify the voices of underrepresented individuals and uplift communities across Chicago. Today, Ash serves as president of the Field Foundation, where he leads efforts to support nonprofits that are reshaping the city, particularly on the South and West

For this Chicago Defender Men of Excellence award recipient, the honor is more than a career achievement. It's an acknowledgment of the individuals, locations and principles who shaped him. “Being named a Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree is a profound honor. It’s a recognition not only of personal achievement but of the collective work of mentors, colleagues, and communities that have shaped and supported me along the way.," said Malik S. Nevels, chief operating officer of Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC). "It's a validation of individual

Businessman Eric France launches his campaign to succeed Rep. Robin Kelly in Illinois' 2nd Congressional District. With a diverse field and redrawn map, the 2026 race is already heating up (Photo Credit: Tacuma Roeback). This past Saturday, inside a cozy restaurant along the Little Calumet River, businessman Eric France launched his campaign for Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District—one of the most closely watched races of the 2026 cycle. France, who leads The France Group, a consulting firm founded by his late father, Erwin France, joins a growing field vying to

Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan (Photo Provided).  A capacity crowd of State elected officials, Cook County elected officials, locally elected officials, civic leaders, and residents are expected to witness the historic swearing-in of Rich Township Supervisor Calvin Jordan as he prepares for his second term of office. On April 1, Supervisor Jordan was overwhelmingly re-elected to a second term of office by nearly 80% of the vote. In fact, Jordan’s entire slate of current Township Trustees, the Township Clerk, and Constitutional Officers were also re-elected to their respective offices. "As

Meet Patricia Andrews-Keenan, founder of Pigment International, leading a movement to elevate Black artists, build a sustainable art ecosystem, and make Chicago the North Star of Black fine art (Photo Provided). Her mentees call her “Auntie.” But it’s safe to say that Patricia Andrews-Keenan has helped mother a movement in Chicago—centering Black artists and building sustainable communities for them to thrive. As the founder of Pigment International, a Chicago-based platform uplifting Black contemporary art and culture, Andrews-Keenan has spent the last seven years using her corporate, media and storytelling background to

From L–R: Deon Hodrick, community advocate and entrepreneur; Richard Wallace, founder of Equity and Transformation (EAT); Clinton Boyd, Jr., executive director of Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities; and Daniel Ash, president of the Field Foundation, speak during the “Breaking the Chains” panel on reclaiming wealth, power, and dignity for Black men in Chicago (Photo Courtesy of The Field Foundation). As a Black woman, I’ve seen firsthand how financial struggles can profoundly affect a Black man’s self-esteem, mental health and ability to lead his family. It’s heartbreaking to watch—and

Standing on the South Side of Chicago, where she was born, raised, and still resides, Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton made it official: she’s running to succeed retiring U.S. Senator Dick Durbin — and she’s doing so with two major endorsements already in hand. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker formally endorsed Stratton's Senate candidacy at a rally on Friday. Speaking of Stratton as "one of Illinois’ fiercest fighters for working families," Pritzker cited Stratton's integrity, pragmatism, and dedication. “At this perilous moment in Washington, Juliana’s fighting spirit and dedication to