OUR VISION
Economic and racial equity for Black Chicago
OUR MISSION
The Chicago Urban League works to achieve equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment.
Cover Images: (Left to right) Students from Beasley Academic Center participate in a pitch competition during our 5th Annual Youth Summit at the Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum in March 2023. CUL President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson poses with four college scholarship recipients during the 2023 Scholarship Luncheon.
This Page: (Left to right) Ansel Johnson, OD; Crystal Strickland, MD; Garth Walker, MD,MPH; MyOwnDoctor CEO Cheryl Jackson; and LaToya Jackson, PhD., discuss “Why Black Doctors are Essential to Health Equity” during our 2023 Black Wellness Fair. A Workforce Development trainee participates in a solar PV installation demonstration at Imani Village in June 2023. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker joins Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot at CUL in August 2022 to announce the city’s plan for 100% renewable energy in all city-owned buildings by 2025.
Dr. Suzet M. McKinney
Dear Partners, Supporters, and Friends,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Urban League, I am pleased to share with you the annual report for our 2023 fiscal year
We ended the year on a strong financial footing thanks to investments by many of you in our mission. Support from corporate partners, foundations, government entities and individual donors fueled our work to help people find jobs and establish careers, become homeowners, enhance their educational experiences, strengthen their leadership skills, and grow their businesses. The standout was a transformational $6.6 million gift from philanthropist and author MacKenzie Scott, which enabled the organization to retire debt and continue critical investments in technology. We also continued to be a trusted partner in providing direct services to our communities on behalf of Chicago, Cook County, and the State of Illinois.
The staff’s work to prepare job seekers and youth for the future garnered national recognition and partnerships, with President Joe Biden’s Investing in America Tour making a stop at the Chicago Urban League and the Environmental Protection Agency partnering with our Youth Services Center to launch an Environmental Justice Academy focused on teaching high school students about sustainability We also expanded the reach of our programming, offering skills training and academic enrichment in south suburban communities with high levels of unemployment and poverty.
As Board Chair, I am grateful for the commitment and dedication of the Chicago Urban League leadership team, staff and volunteer auxiliaries. I am equally thankful for the partners, donors, and supporters who enable and enhance our work. The service numbers in this report are proof points that we truly are empowering communities and changing lives. Thank you for helping to make it happen.
Sincerely,
Suzet McKinney, DrPH, MPH Chairman, Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
Karen Freeman-Wilson President & CEO
Calmetta Coleman Chief Operating Officer
Jessica Harris Chief Development Officer
Curtis Whittaker, Sr. Chief Financial Officer
Lionel Kimble, PhD Executive Director, Research & Policy Center
Stephanie Robinson Chief Strategy Officer
Karen Freeman-Wilson
Dear Friends,
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
I am delighted to share our annual report for fiscal year 2023. From July 2022 through June 2023, we continued to adjust to post-pandemic work life, with most staff in the office three days a week and working from home two days a week. We also continued to expand our impact through programming that empowers communities and changes lives
Our 5th Annual Youth Summit was our largest to date, with more than 1,000 middle and high school students engaging in a day of hands-on entrepreneurship and STEM activities, supported by more than 100 volunteers from Chicago-area corporations. The event included a pitch competition where youth showcased their business ideas developed with support from our staff during the academic year More than 1,200 job seekers and 60 employers attended our 2023 Citywide Job Fair. Some 1,900 individuals joined us for our 63rd Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner, where we honored Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of the groundbreaking 1619 Project Nikole Hannah-Jones, former Chicago Community Trust CEO and Spelman College President Dr. Helene Gayle, and President Emeritus of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago Dr. Walter Massey. We also released the 2023 State of Black Chicago report and followed it with multiple discussions focused on solutions to addressing vast disparities in resources and opportunities.
Renewable energy and the environment were major themes for the Chicago Urban League this fiscal year. In July 2022, students in our Project Ready youth program conducted an experiment on pollution levels in the city’s tap water and Lake Michigan for the National Urban League’s CASE competition, where they placed 3rd out of more than 90 affiliates across the country In May 2023, our policy-focused spring SUMMIT was a daylong conference that brought together more than 250 business and civic leaders for workshops and discussions on “Equity in Clean Energy and Water.” And in June, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan visited our office to tour our solar project and learn more about our work preparing members of underserved communities for jobs in the solar energy industry.
These highlights are just a sample of the impact of our efforts throughout FY23. As you read the pages that follow, I believe you will see our mission at work. 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,
VICE PRESIDENTS
Kelly Evans Vice President, Entrepreneurship & Economic Development
Mavis Laing Vice President & Executive Director, IMPACT Leadership Development Program
Hamilton Vice President, Youth & Family Services
Wells Vice President, Workforce
Pamela Stalling Vice President, Housing & Financial Empowerment
Angela
Andrew
STAFF LIST
as of June 30, 2023
Adams, Diante
Training and Development Coordinator
Anderson, Germika
Arnold, Peggy
Arthur, Quinton
Austin, Gregory
Beaver, Deirdre
Boulrece, Andre
Branch, Jessica
Brandon, Latisha
Brinston, Sandra
Byrd, Bernard
Clark, Harmonie
Colbert, Patrick
Collier, Zakiya
Collins, Candace
Collins, Casha
Cotton, Sheila
Crusoe, Marguerite
Davenport, Kevin
Decatus, Melinda
Delk, Deborah
Dure', Karim
Ellis, Chermell
Evans, Pierre
Ford, Pamela
Florez, Henry
Green, Tyrone
Griggs, Penny
Hall, Dionysius
Program Associate, CEI
Administrative Coordinator, YSC
Senior External Affairs Manager
Employment Services Team Lead
Compliance Manager, HFEC
Re-Entry Services Manager, WDC
Program Advocate, YSC
Program Manager, WDC
Senior Administrative Manager, WDC
Program Coordinator, WDC
Criminal Justice Coordinator, WDC
Senior Program Manager, WDC
Program Advocate, YSC
Intake Specialist, HFEC
Career Development Specialist, WDC
Intake Coordinator, WDC
Human Resources Manager
Business Program Manager, CEI
Development Officer
Facilities Director & EA to the Pres. & CEO
Business Advisor
Career Development Specialist, WDC
Re-Entry Employment Specialist, WDC
Program Manager, YSC
IT Career Development Specialist, WDC
Re-Entry Transition Specialist, WDC
Senior Accounting Manager
Managing Director, YSC
Hall-Kizaire, Letrice
Henderson, Andrea
Compliance Manager, WDC
Program Advocate, YSC
Hernandez, Maria
Hill, Dyamond
Hinton, Nicole
James, Jeffrey
Jones, Jalen
Jones, Justin
Accountant
Employment Services Manager, WDC
Career Development Specialist, WDC
Facilities Technician
Program Advocate, YSC
Jordan-Hubbard, Cynthia
Kerr, LaVoya
Kidd, Stephanie
Lee, Shawn
Lloyd, Porshay
Lloyd, Stephanie Lomax, Tyrone
McCray, Desiree
McDonald, Diane
Nickerson, Melissa
Olds, Lela
Olive, Alyce
Parker, James
Parks, Lynetta
IT Employment Specialist, WDC Director, HFEC
Youth Advocate, YSC
Administrative Assistant, WDC
Operations & Compliance Manager, YSC
Program Manager, IMPACT
Career Services Manager, WDC
Sector Employment Specialist, WDC
Employment Specialist, WDC
Program Associate, CEI
Community Program Advocate, YSC Director, External Affairs
Retention Quality Assurance Specialist, WDC
Program Manager, CEI
Employment Specialist, YSC
Roland, Denise
Royal, Crystal
Samuels, Nakia
Sanders, Jeffrey
Sims, Betty
Thomas, Abraxas
Front Desk Receptionist
UYCA Workforce Coordinator, WDC
Career Development Program Manager, YSC
Program Advocate, YSC
Facilities Technician
Development Director
Williams, Christopher Williams, Dracin
Williams, Leslie
Woolfolk, Cathy
Master Trainer, WDC
Employment Specialist
Tech & Innovation Program Manager, CEI
Workforce Coordinator
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.
Served 3,464 job seekers
644 received an industryrecognized credential
623 participants placed in jobs
Top Photo: Job seekers line up outside UIC’s Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum to attend our Citywide Job Fair in June 2023. Bottom Photo: Workforce trainees pose after a solar PV installation demonstration.
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.
Served more than 3,500 entrepreneurs through business coaching, technical assistance, and trainings
$275,000 in grants awarded to clients by our program partners
19 businesses obtained
MBE/MWE certifications
10 news businesses created
Top Photo: Consultant Hadassah Townsend engages with Shaka Mitchell, a Chicago gym owner and alumnus of our nextONE business accelerator program.
Bottom Photo: Vice President Kelly Evans and President & CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson pose with the winners of iHeart Media’s inaugural Brilliantly Black Business Awards in September 2022. CUL partnered with iHeart to provide a year of master-level business coaching to the winners.
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 wealth building. We provide low- to moderate-income residents with homebuyer education, pre-purchase counseling, mortgage delinquency and default resolution counseling, pre-purchase counseling, financial capability coaching, and rental counseling.
Served 2,918 clients through homeownership, rental, foreclosure prevention, and financial counseling
124 clients lowered their debt, increased savings, and/or increased their credit score
22 clients purchased a home
184 clients assisted with foreclosure prevention
Top Photo: HFEC VP Pamela Stalling facilitates a June 2023 discussion with clients on a new financial empowerment toolkit developed by DoorDash in partnership with the National Urban League.
Bottom Photo: President & CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson speaks to 200+ attendees about appraisal bias during a session on how to become a real estate appraiser in Nov. 2022.
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. The University of Chicago Booth School of Business is the program's academic partner.
2023 marked the 10th anniversary of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program
44 IMPACT Fellows in the Class of 2023
97% of Fellows increased understanding of their leadership characteristics and style
94% of Fellows pursued new or expanded leadership roles or responsibilities
More than 200 corporations, nonprofit organizations, and government entities have sent executives through IMPACT since the program’s inception
380 members in the IMPACT Alumni Association
Top Photo: Booth Professor George Wu, CUL President & CEO
Karen Freeman-Wilson and IMPACT Executive Director Mavis Laing present graduation certificate to 2023 Fellow Tim Turner
Bottom Photo: IMPACT Executive Director Mavis Laing poses with two program mentors.
YOUTH SERVICES CENTER
The Youth 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.
5,059 youth served during academic year programming
Held our largest Youth Summit to date, with 1,000 youth attending from 17 schools 100% of our seniors graduated from high school
30 youth participated in Empower Youth Lyric Opera
Top Photo: Youth from multiple Chicago and south suburban schools attend the opening plenary of our Youth Summit at UIC’s Isadore and Sadie Dorin Forum in March 2023.
Bottom Photo: Youth participate in the Trades Instruction session of our Summer Immersion camp.
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.
Released 2023 State of Black Chicago report highlighting racial and economic disparities. 18 media outlets covered the report.
Partnered with City of Chicago and Illinois Broadband Lab to co-host South Side listening session to help shape investment of federal funding to address the digital divide
Served on 18 coalition groups to advocate for more equitable policies in housing, lending, education, hiring, and criminal justice
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
The External Affairs department helps advance our mission by positioning the Chicago Urban League as a thought leader on issues of importance to Black communities, conveying the impact our programs, and engaging constituents through various media platforms and special events. In FY23, External Affairs also continued leading our health equity work.
4,550 participants in health equity programming focused on vaccine education and access, mental health awareness, and health screenings
1,293 people engaged through direct voter registration and education efforts
250 business and civic leaders attended our “Equity in Clean Energy and Water” Summit, where speakers included Region 5 EPA Administrator Debra Shore and Shalaya Morissette of the U.S. Dept. of Energy
Top Photo: Nakhia Crossley, Karen Freeman-Wilson, Debra Shore, and Shalaya Morissette pose after the opening panel discussion at our “Equity in Clean Energy & Water” Summit.
Bottom Photo: Candidates in the Chicago mayoral race participate in a candidate forum that streamed live on NBC 5.
REVENUE BY SOURCE
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
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 supporter 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 203 members in FY23. Shauntee Randle 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 37 members in FY23. Deborah Love served as president.
LEAGUERS
Established in 1955 by Muriel Ibom, the Leaguers assist with fundraising efforts and help raise awareness and community interest in our programs and policies. The Leaguers had 11 members in FY23. Cheryl Neal served as president.
Top Photo: Women's Board members on stage at the 2023 Scholarship Luncheon.
Bottom Photo: MetroBaard Vice President Arthur Dennis (l) and President Shauntee Randle pose during the 2022 Bud Billiken Parade.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
as of June 30, 2023
Chairman
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
EVP, 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
George E. Johnson Retired Executive
Lester H. McKeever, Jr. Managing Principal, Washington, Pittman & McKeever, LLC
James J. O’Connor, Sr. * Retired Chairman & CEO, Commonwealth Edison Company
William A. Osborn Retired Chairman and CEO, Northern Trust
Thomas M. Patrick Retired Executive
John W. Rogers, Jr. Chairman, Co-CEO & Chief Investment Officer, Ariel Investments, LLC
Sam Scott Retired Executive
Frederick H. Waddell
Retired Executive
*James J. O’Connor passed away on July 31, 2023.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Directors
Daniel Anello
CEO, New Schools Chicago
Hope Bentley
Head of Supply Chain
McDonalds, Corp.
Jill Billhorn
SVP, Commercial Sales, CDW
Dwight Blackman
Deals Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
Carlos Cubia
Chief Inclusion, Equity, Diversity & Sustainability Officer, BHS System
John Didrickson
Vice President, Goldman Sachs
Brian Duwe
Partner
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates
Kimberly Evans
Executive VP/Head of Corporate Sustainability, Inclusion and Social Impact, Northern Trust
Bryce A. Fisher
Principal and Managing Director, KPS Capital Partners
Joseph A. Gregoire
Senior Vice President, Wintrust Financial
Torrence Hinton President, People’s Gas Company
Lori Healey Sr. VP, Obama Presidential Center Operations & Implementation Lead, Obama Foundation
Mark Ishaug CEO, Thresholds
Janice Jackson CEO, Hope Chicago
Ajay Joshi Regional VP, Aviation Americas, BP
James P. Kolar
Central Market Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Connie Lindsey Retired Executive
Todd Lohr Principal, KPMG
Craig Martin Midwest Chairman, Willkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP
Anthony R. McCain
Executive Vice President, Mears
Eileen Mitchell
President, AT&T Illinois
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
David Nichols
Principal, Advisory Services, Ernst & Young, LLP
Michael Sacks
CEO, GCM Grosvenor
Steven J. Sherman
Managing Director, Loop Capital Financial Consulting Services
James P. Sledge
VP, State Government Affairs, Comcast
Eric S. Smith
Vice Chair, BMO Harris Bank
Tyronne Stoudemire
Vice President of Global Diversity & Inclusion
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Sheila Talton
CEO and President, Gray Matter Analytics
Bruce Taylor
Managing Partner, Taylor Investment Partners
Garth Walker, MD
Medical Director of Value Based Care, Rush Health
Donald E. Wilbon
Managing Director, J.P. Morgan
Karen Freeman-Wilson
President & CEO, Chicago Urban League
FOCUSING ON RENEWABLE ENERGY & OUR ENVIRONMENT
Renewable energy and the environment were major themes during the fiscal year as we highlighted opportunities for Black Chicagoans to participate in the clean energy industry and take action to address environmental injustice.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan addresses attendees during his visit to our building as part of Pres. Joe Biden’s Investing in America Tour in June 2023.
CUL Workforce Development Vice President Andrew Wells and Chief Operating Officer Calmetta Coleman and discuss our rooftop solar project and training program with Administrator Regan.
CUL CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson, Blacks in Green Founder Naomi Davis, Chicago’s Chief Sustainability Officer Angela Tovar, former Mayor of Flint, Mich. Karen Weaver, CEO of Urban Efficiency Group Darnell Johnson, and thenMetropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Kimberly du Buclet after their panel discussion on “Creating a Just and Sustainable City” at our Summit on May 2, 2023.
Youth from Little Black Pearl High School examine vegetation and soil during a field trip in October 2022 as part of our Environmental Justice Academy.
High School students in our Environmental Justice Academy participate in activities during a visit to Southside Blooms in September 2022 to learn about the florist’s work to alleviate poverty through sustainability.
Administrator Regan, Congressman Danny Davis, and Illinois State Representative Kimberly du Buclet pose with trainees, instructors, and partners of our solar installation program on June 13, 2023.
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 FY23, honorees received awards at our 61st Annual Golden Fellowship Dinner (GFD), our inaugural Reception in Recognition of Public Service, our 2023 Summit, and the Workforce Development Partnership Luncheon.
Eric Smith, Dr. Suzet McKinney, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Karen Freeman-Wilson, and GFD host Damon Williams pose as Hannah-Jones receives the Edwin C. “Bill” Berry Award at our November 2022 gala.
Eric Smith, Dr. Suzet McKinney, Dr. Walter Massey, Karen Freeman-Wilson, and GFD host Damon Williams pose as Massey receives the Humanitarian Award at our November 2022 gala.
Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Welch, Congressman Bobbie Rush, and Cook County Board Pres. Toni Preckwinkle receive our inaugural Public Service Trailblazer awards. l to r: MetroBoard Pres. Shauntee Randle, CUL CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson, Welch, Rush, Preckwinkle, and Women’s Board Pres. Deborah Love.
Eric Smith, Dr. Suzet McKinney, Dr. Helene Gayle, and Karen Freeman-Wilson pose as Gayle receives the Lester McKeever Jr. Individual Service Award at our November 2022 gala.
Alumni of the IMPACT Leadership Development Program pose with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole HannahJones after Hannah-Jones participated in a fireside chat hosted by IMPACT in partnership with the CAFE Group hours before receiving our Bill Berry Award.
CUL President and CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson bestows the 2023 Environmental Equity Leadership Award on Blacks in Green Founder Naomi Davis during our “Equity in Clean Energy and Water” Summit in May 2023. Jacky Grimshaw (not pictured) was also honored for her environmental work.
