Jemia Cunningham-Elder, Chief Executive Officer of North Lawndale College Prep, has been selected to join the 2027 Class of Signature Fellows with Leadership Greater Chicago (LGC). She is one of just 43 leaders chosen region-wide for the organization’s premier civic leadership development program. “I am honored to be named to the 2027 Class of Signature Fellows,” said Cunningham-Elder. “Leading North Lawndale College Prep has taught me that our scholars’ futures aren’t only shaped by what happens inside our walls. They’re shaped by housing policy, economic opportunity and decisions

25-Year Nonprofit Veteran Brings Deep Chicago Roots and Proven Youth Development Track Record to the Organization Off The Street Club today announced the appointment of Maurice Fears, Sr. as its new Executive Director, effective August 3, 2026. Fears brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience – including multiple executive roles at major Chicago-area youthserving organizations – to Off The Street Club, a youthcentered nonprofit in West Garfield Park. Off The Street Club provides hope, opportunity and guidance so that disadvantaged youth in Chicago and its

As the basketball world gathered in Chicago this week for WNBA All-Star Week, founding player Rushia Brown hosted her signature “Play Like a Girl” Basketball Skills Clinic at the South Side YMCA in Chicago. The event brought together up to100 middle and high school YMCA girl members, ages 7-16 for a day of basketball instruction, leadership development, and mentorship. Brown was joined by WNBA legends Monique Ambers, Redhead Bristol, Leslie Johnson, and Bridget Pettisto. Participants will receive hands-on instruction in shooting skills, ball handling, teamwork, and communication. Beyond

Julie Mehretu's art serves as a powerful bridge between past and present, personal history and public space in ways that captivate and inspire. Her art will soon be showcased at the Obama Presidential Center, where her work promises to leave an indelible mark on the cultural landscape. Julie's journey from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to becoming a renowned abstract artist is a testament to the transformative power of art and the deep connection between personal history and creative expression. Born in 1970, Julie experienced the upheaval of the Mengistu

As a respected leader in healthcare and a 2026 Chicago Defender Men of Excellence honoree, Dr. Karriem Watson, CEO of Mile Square Health Center, has dedicated his career to improving access and health outcomes in underserved communities. A mentor, philanthropist, man of faith, and servant leader, Watson’s work is rooted in purpose and impact. In this conversation with the Chicago Defender, he reflects on leadership, legacy, and the responsibility of creating pathways for future generations. Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized as a 2026 Chicago

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has been named Executive Vice-Chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, further strengthening his leadership role within one of the nation’s most influential Democratic organizations. Speaker Welch, who also serves as Committeeman for Proviso Township, has been a leading voice in advancing policies that promote equity, economic opportunity, and strong communities across Illinois. His appointment as Executive Vice-Chair (suburbs) reflects his longstanding commitment to Democratic values and his ability to unite leaders across Cook County. “I am honored to serve as Executive Vice-Chair

The Family of Civil Rights Icon and Founder of Rainbow PUSH Coalition Reverend Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., Dies at 84 Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., 84, an iconic figure in the fight for civil rights, international justice, and human dignity, passed away in the late hours of Monday night, Feb. 16, 2026.  The esteemed founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that has forever redefined the moral and political fabric of our nation and the world. While the world remembers this civil rights icon for