Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 4, 2025
Contact: Valerie F. Leonard, Founder, Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
valeriefleonard@nonprofitutopia.com; 773-571-3886
Capacity Building For Community Healers Hosts Fall 2024 Graduation
Chicago, IL – Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is excited to announce the recent graduation ceremony for the Capacity Building for Community Healers Fall 2024 session. The event celebrated the hard work and dedication of nonprofit and faith-based leaders in the City’s North Lawndale, Austin, East Garfield, West Garfield and Englewood communities. The ceremony also honored community icons and unsung heroes whose work embody their commitment to community healing.
The graduation ceremony was preceded by a brief reception that featured an opportunity for attendees to mingle with graduates and view displays of their accomplishments. In turn, the graduates shared their experiences with the Capacity Building For Healers Program with “roving reporter” Keith McDonald, the videographer for the event.
Rev. Willie Sams, the Pastor of the New Evangelical Bible Church, opened with prayer, and welcomed attendees. He also shared his experiences serving as the general contractor for the El Palais Bu-Sche banquet hall, the host venue, that is owned and operated by one of the church’s social enterprises.
Congressman Danny K. Davis shared remarks of encouragement, and reflected on the his experiences in public life and the role of government in maintaining community quality of life and the importance of community support and leadership. He also reminded graduates that in order to make lasting change, they must stay engaged with the community and advocate for policies that benefit the people.
State Senator Lakesia Collins was the keynote speaker, sharing her journey of connecting with constituents during the Pandemic and beyond. She discussed the challenges nonprofits face in accessing state grants and her efforts to connect them with resources to increase their chances for success. Collins also citied her earlier work with supporting capacity building for the State’s Reinvest. Restore. Renew. (R3) program. Collins emphasized the importance of capacity building for community healers and the transformative impact of the Capacity Building For the program.
Graduates
Austin Cohort
- Diondai Brown-Whitfield, Founder and President, Diondai’s Place Breast Cancer Support.
- Jessica Daniels, Education Program Manager, Illinois Prison Project
- Sharon Hartshorn, Secretary, South Austin Neighborhood Association
- Evelyn Ross, Executive Director, NEBC Employment Resources Services
- Blanche Thomas, Board Member, Diondai’s Place Breast Cancer Support
Englewood Cohort
- Barbara Deer, Executive Director, Juneteenth Illinois (North Lawndale)
- Sarah Dupuis, Founder and Executive Director, MUSIC, Inc. (North Lawndale)
- Dale Evans, President, Justice and Mercy For Life/Change
- Ja’Maya Hawkins, Assistant Director, Family Centered Educational Agency (TRIO Upward Bound)
- Vianna Little, President and CEO, Fresh Start Home Community Development Corporation (FSHCDC)
- Charese Munoz, Creator, Lunacorn Unacorn
- Shirley Pollion-Hines, Member, Peace Makers Coalition
- Gayle Saulsbury, Organizer, Perry Pals Block Club
- Lakeisha Sewell, Executive Director, Girls Like Me Project
- Danielle Wallace, Executive Director, Kingdom Avenue, Inc.
- Lauren Young, Justice and Mercy For Life/Change
North Lawndale Cohort
- Bryan Brickner, Grant Writer, Theatre Y
- Audrey Dunford, Owner, Be AUD
- Allan Evans, President, Peace Makers Coalition
- Kianna Goss, Associate Chief of Staff, Pursue Scholars
- Jess Larson, Sr. Manager of Community Impact & Strategy, Girls In the Game
- Melissa Lorraine, Co-Founding Artistic Director and CEO
- Bonni McKeown, President, FOUR Blues, NFP (Austin)
- LaShawn Miller, President, Finding Justice A Flower and Vegetable Garden (Austin)
- Rev. Mattie Phillips, Executive Director, Life Changing Family Services
- Christy Smith-Hall, CFRE, Development Director, Deborah’s Place (East Garfield Park, Austin)
- Antoinette Ratliff, Executive Director, Celestial Ministries
Award Presentations
As part of the ceremony, several distinguished individuals will be honored for their contributions to community healing:
- Senator Lakesia Collins – Community Healer In Chief
- Congressman Danny K. Davis – Lifetime Achievement Award for Community Healing
- Dr. Annetta Wilson, Executive Director, Sankofa Safe Child Initiative – Community Healing Trailblazer Award
- Tina Augustus, Founder, Elevate Services, Inc. – Healing In Action Award
- Cecile DeMello, Executive Director, Teamwork Englewood – Holistic Community Healer Award
- Armond DeMello, Volunteer/Student Assistant – Community Healer Apprentice Award
- Willie Cole, Independent Consultant and Journalist – Community Healing Storyteller Award
- Isaac Lewis, Jr., Publisher, North Lawndale Community News – Community Healing Storyteller Award
- Hurley Green, III, Publisher, Chicago Independent Bulletin – Community Healing Storyteller Award
- Keith McDonald, Community Producer, CAN TV – Community Healing Videography Award
- Brenetta Howell Barrett, Executive Director, Pathfinders Prevention Education Fund – Community Healing History Maker Award
- Javaris Tolliver – Community Healing Photography Award
About the Capacity Building For Community Healers Program
The Capacity Building For Community Healers program is designed for nonprofit and faith-based leaders in North Lawndale, East Garfield Park, West Garfield Park, Austin, and Englewood who aspire to elevate their organizations. Participants include board members, executive directors, program managers, development managers, clergy, and career changers. The program equips leaders with the tools and knowledge to strengthen their organizations and expand their impact. The program is made possible through the generosity of State Senator Lakesia Collins. Partners include Nonprofit Utopia, Teamwork Englewood, Sankofa Safe Child Initiative, Friendship Baptist Church, Deborah’s Place, Senator Lakesia Collins and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
About Nonprofit Utopia, LLC
Nonprofit Utopia, LLC is a learning community for nonprofit and faith-based leaders dedicated to helping them succeed in their mission-driven organizations. Through a comprehensive offering of online courses, coaching, and consulting, Nonprofit Utopia provides the tools and support that leaders need to grow their impact and create lasting change in their communities. For further information, visit https://nonprofitutopia.com and https://nonprofitutopia.mn.co.
