Cover - Top Left: IMPACT’s founding Executive Director Mavis Laing speaks with the 2024 IMPACT cohort. Top Right: Nancy Ukpe Gargula, People and Culture Team Manager at the MacArthur Foundation and member of the 2024 IMPACT Leadership Development Program cohort.
Bottom: Members of the 2024 IMPACT cohort at IMPACT Day 2024: (left to right) Kebreab Henry, Courtney Davis, Jennifer Hodges, Kafi Moragne-Patterson, Kimberly Robinson, James Joshua, Kelley Foxx
This Page - Left: Board Chair Dr. Suzet McKinney awards State Representative Kimberly du Buclet with the Public Service Trailblazer Award at the 2024 Honoring Public Servants Reception. Right: The Chicago Urban League celebrates the start of the new school year at the 2023 Bud Billiken Parade.
OUR VISION
A thriving future for Black Chicago built on wealth, equity, and generational impact
OUR MISSION
The Chicago Urban League works to foster economic empowerment, cultivate leadership, and dismantle systemic barriers in the effort to drive lasting equity and prosperity for Black Chicago.
CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
Dr. Suzet M. McKinney
Dear Partners, Supporters, and Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Urban League, it is with great pride that I share with you the annual report for our 2024 fiscal year.
Thanks to the generosity and commitment of our supporters, the fiscal year was one of incredible progress and opportunity. We expanded our reach, strengthened our impact, and secured new resources that will shape the future of our programs.
A major milestone of the year was Walmart’s donation of a 15,000-square-foot, fully equipped training academy in the Chatham neighborhood. This generous gift enables the Chicago Urban League to expand our footprint and serve more people through a second location. The donation also enables the Chicago Urban League to be part of transforming a vacant building into a new hub for workforce training and entrepreneurship programming, increasing vibrancy in the surrounding area while creating pathways to economic mobility for more Chicagoans.
Our 62nd Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner was another defining moment, bringing together more than 1,900 attendees and raising nearly $2.4 million to support our mission. This year’s event centered around the theme “Accelerating Equity: All Hands on Deck,” and honored Marc Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League; Don and Liz Thompson, founders of Cleveland Avenue, LLC and the Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education (The CAFÉ); and Dr. Aleta Clark, better known as “Englewood Barbie,” a philanthropist dedicated to helping the unhoused community. The overwhelming generosity of our corporate partners, foundations, and individual donors demonstrates the strength of our community’s commitment to advancing equity and empowerment.
We were also honored to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Metropolitan Board of the Chicago Urban League, founded by former CUL President & CEO James W. Compton and current Life Director John W. Rogers, Jr. As the first young professionals auxiliary in the Urban League movement, the MetroBoard set the standard for harnessing the energy of emerging Black leaders — an enduring legacy that continues to strengthen our work today.
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of our Board of Directors, leadership team, staff, and volunteers. Your hard work and passion are the driving force that propels our mission. To our partners, donors, and community members, thank you for standing with us in this work. Your support enables us to empower communities, change lives, and build a stronger, more equitable Chicago.
Sincerely,
Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH Chairman, Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Karen FreemanWilson PRESIDENT & CEO
Stephanie Robinson CHIEF STRATEGY OFFICER
Calmetta Coleman CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Lionel Kimble, PhD EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER
Curtis Whittaker Sr. CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFFICER
Kafi MoragnePatterson SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS AND PHILANTHROPY
Executive Director of IMPACT Leadership Development Program
VICE PRESIDENTS
Kelly Evans Vice President of Entrepreneurship & Economic Development
Andrew Wells Vice President of Workforce Development
Angela Hamilton Vice President of Youth and Family Services
Pamela Stalling Vice President of Housing & Financial Empowerment
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Karen Freeman-Wilson
Dear Friends,
Fiscal year 2024 was a year of growth and celebration for the Chicago Urban League. Throughout the year, we remained steadfast in our mission — helping more people find jobs, become homeowners, enhance their educational experiences, grow their businesses, and strengthen their leadership skills. I am delighted to share our 2024 annual report as a testament to the impact of this work.
In addition to marking the 40th year of our MetroBoard auxiliary, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our IMPACT Leadership Development Program, one of the most prestigious leadership programs in the city. Over the past decade, IMPACT has played a crucial role in increasing equity in leadership by equipping emerging Black leaders with the skills and networks needed to thrive. Through executive education, interactive workshops during monthly modules, and one-on-one mentorship, 11 cohorts and more than 400 leaders have benefited from this transformative program. We also celebrated the retirement of IMPACT’s inaugural executive director, Mavis Laing, whose leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the program’s success.
Our staff of 65 provided direct services to nearly 15,000 clients, frequently working in collaboration with employers, schools, and other organizations across the city. Among the highlights of the year, our 6th Annual Youth Summit was the largest to date, with more than 1,700 middle and high school students from 17 schools engaging in a day of hands-on STEM and trades activities, exposing them to career pathways they may not have previously considered.
Our direct services work also continued to inform our research and advocacy efforts and vice versa, as we addressed major barriers to economic opportunity through data, community conversations, and partnerships. At our May 2024 Policy Summit, we convened more than 200 business and civic leaders to discuss innovative solutions to widening the path to wealth building through homeownership and family sustaining careers. We also released preliminary observations from the task force we formed in June 2023 to examine appraisal bias; The group’s findings led us to expand our focus to include broader barriers to homeownership.
Our Research & Policy Center, in collaboration with our Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, continued to advance data-driven solutions for economic equity with the June 2024 publication of Three for 30: A Black Small Business Agenda for Programs and Policy Change by 2030, an issue brief that outlines the factors that made Black-owned businesses more vulnerable during the pandemic and offers strategies for long-term resilience.
These highlights are just a sample of the impact of our efforts throughout FY24. As you read the pages ahead, I hope you see the Chicago Urban League’s mission in action — driving systemic change and creating opportunities for Black communities across our city. None of it would be possible without a committed Board of Directors, a dedicated staff, and assistance and collaboration from our multiple partners and funders.
Thank you for your support and interest in this important work.
Sincerely,
STAFF LIST
As of June 30, 2024
Adams, Tashi
Anderson, Germika
Arnold, Peggy
Beaver, Deirdre
Boulrece, Andre
Branch, Jessica
Brandon, Latisha
Brinston, Sandra
Burns, Donald
Byrd, Bernard
Colbert, Patrick
Collier, Zakiya
Collins, Candace
Cotton, Sheila
Crusoe, Marguerite
Davenport, Kevin
Decatus, Melinda
Delk, Deborah
Draper-Gilbert, Pamela
Dure’, Karim
Ellis, Chermell
Evans, Pierre
Florez, Henry
Graham, Daniel
Griggs, Penny
Hall, Dionysius
ENERGY TRANSITION SPECIALIST, WFD
GERMIKA PROGRAM ASSISTANT, CEI
OPERATIONS MANAGER & SPECIAL EVENTS, YFS
HUD CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR, HFEC
RE-ENTRY SERVICES MANAGER, WFD
PROGRAM ADVOCATE, YFS
PROGRAM MANAGER, WFD
DATA COORDINATOR, CEI
FACILITIES TECHNICIAN
PROGRAM COORDINATOR, WFD
SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER, WFD
STEM COORDINATOR, YFS
CAREER DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST, WFD
INTAKE COORDINATOR, WFD
HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
PROGRAM MANAGER, CEI
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER
FACILITIES DIRECTOR & EA TO THE PRESIDENT & CEO
HUD CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR, HFEC
PROGRAM ADVISOR, CEI
CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATOR, WFD
SECTOR EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST, WFD
DIRECTOR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, WFD
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS MANAGER
SENIOR ACCOUNTING MANAGER
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS, YFS
Hall-Kizaire, Letrice COMPLIANCE MANAGER, WFD
Hernandez, Maria
Hill, Dyamond
ACCOUNTANT
ENERGY TRANSITION SPECIALIST, WFD
Jones, Jalen
Jones, Justin
COLLEGE READINESS COORDINATOR, YFS
ENERGY TRANSITION NAVIGATOR, YFS
Jordan-Hubbard, Cynthia DIRECTOR, HFEC
Kidd, Stephanie
Laing, Mavis
Lloyd, Porshay
Lloyd, Stephanie
Lomax, Tyrone
McDonald, Diane
Martin, Brittiny
Nickerson, Melissa
Olds, Lela
Olive, Alyce
Parker, James
Parks, Lynetta
Ransburg, Mark
Roland, Denise
Royal, Crystal
Samuels, Nakia
Sanders, Jeffrey
Serrano, Ivelisse
Sims, Betty
Smith, Tyler
Watts-Harris, Pamela
Wiggins, Joshua
Williams, Christopher
Williams, Leslie
Woolfolk, Cathy
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT, WFD
VP & EXEC. DIRECTOR OF IMPACT
PROGRAM MANAGER, IMPACT
ENERGY TRANSITION SPECIALIST, WFD
DATA COORDINATOR, WFD
PROGRAM ASSOCIATE, CEI
PROGRAM ADVOCATE, YFS
PROGRAM ADVOCATE, YFS
DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
RETENTION QA SPECIALIST, WFD
PROGRAM MANAGER, CEI
TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR, WFD
COMMUNITY PROGRAM ADVOCATE, YFS
INTAKE SPECIALIST, HFEC
UYCA WORKFORCE COORDINATOR, WFD
DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMMING, YFS
PROGRAM ADVOCATE, YFS
HUD CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR, HFEC
FACILITIES TECHNICIAN
FACILITIES TECHNICIAN
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, PRESIDENT’S OFFICE
DIRECTOR OF LEARNING & EVALUATION, RPC
MASTER TRAINER, WFD
PROGRAM MANAGER, CEI
WORKFORCE COORDINATOR, WFD
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Our Workforce Development Center programs work to raise Black employment and income levels through job training and placement services, career exposure, career advancement support services, seminars, coaching, and long-term retention strategies.
702
jobseekers received an industry-recognized credential
3,721
jobseekers served by our Workforce Development Center
NEARLY CLIENTS
200
completed training and earned industry-recognized credentials in sustainable energy and technology — high-growth industries that are shaping the future economy and driving innovation worldwide.
Top Left: The CPS Hiring Fair connects participants with CPS HR assistants to help with job applications and offers on-site interviews. Top Right: The CUL’s Solar Hiring Event connects individuals with job opportunities at solar companies such as Nexamp.
Meet Alison: A Bright Future in Solar Energy
Alison Hernandez was juggling two part-time jobs and her duties in the Army Reserves when she learned about the Chicago Urban League’s Solar Energy Jobs Training Program. She took a leap of faith, and despite her nerves about entering a male-dominated field, Alison embraced the challenge. With hands-on training, expert guidance, and a strong support network, she graduated from her cohort Summa Cum Laude, earned multiple industry certifications, and received multiple job offers.
Today, as a solar installer at Freedom Forever, Alison is building a career in renewable energy and has aspirations to become a project manager. Alison’s journey is a testament to the power of workforce development in transforming lives and creating bright futures.
CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION
The Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation helps Black entrepreneurs launch, grow, and sustain businesses. The Center provides entrepreneurs with the tools necessary to maximize revenues, reduce costs, increase profitability, and drive job creation while encouraging innovation.
Top Right: The Market at our annual Wealth, Opportunity, Knowledge and Expertise Summit helps Black entrepreneurs promote their businesses and sell their products to other Summit attendees.
2,395
Our Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation served more than 2,395 entrepreneurs through business coaching, tech. assistance, cohort programming, and events.
7 received business counseling or technical assistance 843
new businesses created
31 in grants were awarded to clients by our program partners $230K
322 received business training entrepreneurs obtained their first-ever business certification
Meet Yorli: A Superpowered Success Story
Born and raised in Chicago, Yorli Huff overcame immense challenges to become a trailblazer in law enforcement, business, and motivational speaking. Her journey took a powerful leap forward when she joined the Chicago Urban League’s NextOne Program, where she refined her vision for Engendering Strength, Inc. — a company devoted to empowerment and resilience.
With support from mentors, Yorli sharpened her superhero-themed brand, including the Superhero Huff comic and cartoon, the Agent Huff Custom Gear line, and even expanded into film production with The Veil of Victory
Armed with the tools, network, and confidence gained through the NextOne Program, Yorli continues to break barriers and inspire others. Her journey is proof that with determination, the right resources, and a little superpower, anything is possible.
HOUSING & FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT CENTER
Our Housing and Financial Empowerment Center is a HUD-certified housing counseling agency that supports community-based investment and growth by facilitating homeownership and wealthbuilding. We provide low- to moderate-income residents with homebuyer education, pre-purchase counseling, mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling, prepurchase counseling, financial capability coaching, and rental counseling.
2,500
Chicagoans received homeownership, rental, foreclosure prevention, and financial counseling.
35K+ new homes purchased 25 300+ Homebuyer Education Certificates issued
community referrals to essential resources and services
Meet Ivan: Opening New Doors
Ivan Moore and his wife took a life-changing step by attending the Chicago Urban League’s First-Time Home Buyer Class in late 2023. Previously, the couple had minimal credit and loans, hurting their economic wellness. The First-Time Home Buyer Class offers aspiring homeowners financial guidance, credit-building strategies, and resources to navigate the buying process, giving them the confidence to move forward.
With the resources gained through the program, Ivan and his wife were able to purchase a 2-unit building, becoming homeowners and gaining a rental unit. With a new home and a growing financial foundation, the Moores are building a brighter future.
Left: Vice President of the Housing & Financial Empowerment Center Pamela Stalling speaks to prospective homebuyers at the Home for the Holidays event. Right: The CUL’s annual Housing Fair invites participants to explore home buying loans, grants, and valuable resources to help navigate the process of purchasing a home and becoming a homeowner.
IMPACT LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
IMPACT is an intensive, nine-month program that seeks to move the needle toward racial parity in leadership positions across Chicago by providing mid- to senior-level Black professionals with the tools and skills needed to thrive in increasingly responsible leadership roles.
10TH
2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program.
Meet Raven: A Leader Making an IMPACT
400
Our IMPACT Leadership Development Program has provided leadership instruction and mentorship to nearly 400 young Black professionals since 2014.
200
More than 200 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government entities have sent executives through the IMPACT program since its inception in 2014.
200+
More than 200 Black civic leaders have volunteered their time to serve as mentors to IMPACT Fellows.
Raven DeVaughn credits the IMPACT Leadership Development Program with refining her leadership style and giving her the tools to elevate her career. Through the program, she learned to harness her personal story. Writing her Leadership Development Plan also helped her set clear goals, one of which she achieved just 18 months later when she became Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services.
100
100
100% of IMPACT Fellows built confidence in their leadership abilities.
100% of IMPACT Fellows increased their awareness of key issues impacting the Black community.
IMPACT also provided Raven with a powerful network of peer mentors and a lasting relationship with her formal mentor, Donna Thompson, former CEO of ACCESS Health. With Donna’s guidance, Raven has confidently led transformative change, increasing minority hiring, expanding contracting opportunities for small businesses, and championing diversity and inclusion in state government. Raven continues to embody IMPACT’s mission, breaking barriers and building a more equitable city.
YOUTH & FAMILY SERVICES CENTER
The Youth & Family Services Center serves young people ages 12 to 24 through programming that includes socioemotional learning and competencies, academic enrichment and support, job readiness training, college readiness and success, and trades exploration and entrepreneurship.
5,770
Our Youth & Family Services Center served 5,770 middle school, high school, and college students through programming that includes college and career readiness, STEM/STEAM, trades instruction, youth entrepreneurship, digital literacy, civic engagement, scholarships and more.
$200K
100% of senior students graduated from high school & were accepted to a college or university scholarships awarded to help fund college education
Meet Lawrence: Reaching Higher through Higher Ed
With support from BP, the Women’s Board, the Jack & Jill Scholarship, and the Chicago Urban League, Lawrence is turning ambition into action. A scholarship recipient, Lawrence is studying Social Science at Morehouse College, where he’s immersing himself in academic and leadership opportunities. His coursework spans disciplines such as sociology, political science, and economics, giving him a deeper understanding of society and the forces that shape it.
The scholarship has eased the financial burden of college, allowing Lawrence to focus fully on his education and professional growth. With this support, he’s thriving, driven to create meaningful change in his community and the world. Grateful for the opportunity, Lawrence is on a path to becoming a global leader, proving that investing in youth education unlocks unlimited potential.
Left: The CUL’s 6th Annual Youth Summit at the Tinley Park Convention Center taught over 1,700 middle and high school students about trades and STEM career paths. Right: The CUL’s Trunk Party celebrates graduating high school seniors and provides them with college essentials.
RESEARCH & POLICY CENTER
The Chicago Urban League’s Research and Policy Center provides research, landscape analyses and pragmatic, evidence-based recommendations for issues that disproportionately affect Chicago’s Black residents. We also partner with policymakers and other organizations to support educational and legislative efforts designed to lessen the impact of policies and practices that disadvantage Black families and communities.
Our Research & Policy Center released recommendations for better supporting Black entrepreneurs in its June 2024 issue brief Three for ‘30: A Black Small Business Agenda for Program and Policy Changes by 2030.
200+
civic and business leaders attended the May 2024 Policy Summit to discuss pathways to building wealth through homeownership and family-sustaining jobs.
Left: Karen
delivers opening remarks at 2024 Policy Summit Top Center: On October 11, 2023,
with Loyola University’s Baumhart Center to host “2023 State of Black Chicago: From Data to Impact.” (left
Oak Park Health Director Theresa Chapple, Loyola University’s Institute for Racial Justice Founding Dean Malik Henfield, and Chicago Community Trust’s VP for Community Impact Marisa Navaro. Top Right: In February 2024, 16th Ward
Stephanie Coleman joined Karen Freeman-Wilson in advocating for protections for Black women, following a report by CBS 2 reporter Dorothy Tucker that found that Black women in Chicago are most at risk for violent crime.
VP Pamela Stalling moderates a discussion on “Homeownership as a Wealth-Building Tool” with real estate broker Lutalo McGee and PNC Bank SVP for Affordable Mortgage Lending Will Hendrix-Griffin.
Top
Freeman-Wilson
CUL partnered
to right)
Alderman
Bottom Center:
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
In FY24, the External Affairs team organized or participated in 13 non-programmatic community events, engaging more than 30,000 individuals and providing empowerment, resources, community discussions, and networking.
CUL-hosted events included the 2023 Back to School Festival, 2024 Reception in Honor of Public Service, 2024 Black Wellness Fair, the public announcement of the Walmart Training Facility donation, and a series of four mental health equity community discussions. Participation in events led by external partners included the 2023 Bud Billiken Parade, 2023 Black Women’s Expo, and the 2024 Central Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®
30,000+
30,000+ individuals engaged in events aimed at providing resources, sparking community discussions, forming connections, and empowering communities.
Left: The Chicago Urban League organized and hosted the Career and Community Fair at the Central Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® in March 2024. Center: The CUL announces the donation of the Walmart Training Facility in June 2024. Right: CUL distributed 500 backpacks filled with school supplies during its Back to School Festival in August 2023.
THE CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE ONLINE
231K
42.4K
1.58M
REVENUE BY SOURCE
FY24 is from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.
$11,972,870 FY2024
FY23 is from July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.
FY2023
$19,486,681
EXPENSES
| $2,149,847
| $1,407,392
FY24 is from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024. FY2023 $12,889,705
FY23 is from July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
FY24 is from July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024.
TOTAL ASSETS
OUR AUXILIARIES
The Chicago Urban League is supported by three auxiliaries that help to expand our impact. Our auxiliaries are intergenerational and promote activities aligned with our mission. They work to develop civic leaders within our network of supporters and provide hundreds of volunteer hours to support our work in the community.
METROPOLITAN BOARD OF THE CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
Our MetroBoard is a group of young professionals committed to supporting the Urban League movement through community outreach, fundraising, and membership development. Founded in 1983 by former CUL CEO James Compton and John W. Rogers, Jr., it is the oldest National Urban League Young Professional Chapter in the country. MetroBoard had 211 members in FY24. Ebony Harris served as president.
WOMEN’S BOARD OF THE CHICAGO URBAN LEAGUE
Founded in 1966 by Dr. Arnita Young Boswell, the Women’s Board’s primary focus is to raise funds for scholarships in the name of Boswell’s brother, civil rights leader Whitney M. Young, Jr., who was executive director of the National Urban League. The auxiliary had 28 members in FY24. Marla Reddick served as president.
LEAGUERS
Established in 1955 by Muriel Ibom, the Leaguers auxiliary assists with fundraising efforts and helps raise awareness and community interest in our programs and policies. The Leaguers had 12 members in FY24. Lori Taylor served as president.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As of June 30, 2024
CHAIR
Suzet McKinney, DrPH MPH Principal, Director of Life Sciences, Sterling Bay
VICE CHAIRS
Maria C. Green Retired Executive
James Reynolds Chairman & CEO, Loop Capital Markets, LLC
SECRETARY
Esther Franklin Executive Vice President, Managing Director Global Strategy & Cultural Fluency, Spark Foundry
TREASURER
Andre P. Hughes Founder & Servant, Powered by Action
LIFE DIRECTORS
Andrew C. Barrett
Managing Director, The Barrett Group, Inc.
Barbara Bowles President, Landers Bowles Family Foundation
Melvin C. Hopson President, M.C. Hopson & Associates
Marty Castro CEO, Casa Central Carlos Cubia Chief Inclusion, Equity, Diversity & Sustainability Officer, BHS System
Brian Duwe Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
Kimberly Evans Executive Vice President/Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact, Northern Trust
Matthew Fischer Founding Partner, Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila
Bryce A. Fisher Principal and Managing Director, KPS Capital Partners
Joseph A. Gregoire Retired Executive
Lori Healey* Senior Vice President, Obama Presidential Center Operations & Implementation Lead, Obama Foundation
Mark Ishaug CEO, Thresholds
Janice Jackson CEO, Hope Chicago
Ajay Joshi Regional Vice President, Aviation Americas, BP
Connie Lindsey Retired Executive
Todd Lohr Principal, KPMG
Craig Martin Midwest Chairman, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP
Kimberlene Matthews Managing Director, PNC Bank
Anthony R. McCain Retired Executive
Michael J. Sacks CEO, GCM Grosvenor
Steven J. Sherman Managing Director, Loop Capital Financial Consulting Services
James P. Sledge Vice President, State Government Affairs, Comcast
Eric S. Smith Vice Chair, BMO Harris Bank
Tyronne Stoudemire Vice President of Global Diversity & Inclusion, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Gina Stuart Senior Vice President, DEI, Wintrust Financial Corporation
Sheila Talton CEO and President, Gray Matter Analytics
Bruce Taylor Managing Partner, Taylor Investment Partners II
Garth Walker, MD Medical Director of Value Based Care, Rush Health
Frederick H. Waddell Retired Executive
Donald E. Wilbon Managing Director, J.P. Morgan
Karen Freeman-Wilson President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
*In Memoriam Lori Healey (1959–2025) | A generous supporter and friend to our mission.
FOCUSING ON HEALTH EQUITY
In FY24 we worked to increase vaccine access and address barriers in underserved communities using strategic partnerships, outreach events, and targeted incentives to promote better health outcomes.
5.4K
6
3
ENGAGED INDIVIDUALS through vaccination-focused events
NEW VACCINE AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS established reaching more than
10K
Partnered with 3 NEW VACCINE ADMINISTRATORS Launched 5 VACCINATION SITES at community locations
5
Left: More than 50 vendors, including the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC), share resources with the attendees of the 2024 Black Wellness Fair. Right: Dr. Sharon Malone, OB/Gyn and author of Grown Woman Talk during CUL’s Black Women’s Health Forum in April 2024.
HONORING LEADERS IN ADVANCING EQUITY
The Chicago Urban League annually recognizes individuals whose work aligns with our mission of advancing economic and racial equity. In FY24, honorees received awards at our 62st Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner (GFD), our Reception in Recognition of Public Service, and the Workforce Development Partnership Luncheon.
Left: Aleta Clark, aka “Englewood Barbie,” recipient of the Humanitarian Award at the 2023 Golden Fellowship Dinner.
Right: The MetroBoard honors Former President & CEO of the Chicago Urban League James Compton at their 40th Anniversary Celebration. Bottom: CUL President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson awards chef and the owner of TeaPotBrew Bakery in Chicago’s South Loop Veranda Runsewe with her certificate of completion for the business leadership accelerator program.
