is currently serving as the Assistant to the Chief of Staff for the Chicago City Council's Committee on Education & Child Development, where she contributes to policy development and education initiatives. Prior to this, she worked as a Community Advocate in the Office of Congressman Bobby L. Rush from 2020 to 2023, engaging with constituents and supporting community outreach efforts. Ayana also has experience as a Communications Liaison for Know1 Radio, where she managed communications strategies. In 2020, she played a crucial role as the Social Media Manager during Congressman Rush's re-election campaign, crafting social media content and maintaining a direct line of communication with constituents. Her career also includes roles in event coordination, education as a lecturer at Purdue University Northwest, and television production. Ayana's multifaceted experience demonstrates her commitment to community engagement, public service, and media communications.

 began his social justice work nearly two decades ago as a youth participating in Englewood community organizing efforts and drafting recommendations for local ordinances under the guidance of leaders from the South West Youth Collaborative. CP’s work has since developed into advocacy for Chicagoans as a recognized civil rights and injury law trial attorney at The Vrdolyak Law Group. Today, Ann and General Floyd’s son is the proud father to his own son Ari Davis. CP actively serves on the board of Southside Together, an organization committed to building leaders in the fight for adequate housing, health justice, economic empowerment and youth development throughout Chicago’s south side community areas. CP is also a member of the 20th Ward Community Planning Team, a team Alderwoman Jeanette Taylor established to review private developments proposed to the ward.

is the Senior Pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago, where he has served since 2001. Prior to this, he led the Greater Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Houston for 16 years. With a passion for education and ministry, Dr. Dew holds a Doctor of Ministry and a Master of Divinity from Northern Theological Seminary, and a Master of Arts in Theology from the Houston Graduate School of Theology. He is also the Director of the Southside Center for Urban Leadership and an Affiliate Professor at Northern Seminary.

In addition to his pastoral work, Dr. Dew is a prominent leader in the Illinois Missionary Baptist State Convention and the National Baptist Congress, where he mentors pastors and religious leaders. He is also an accomplished author, with publications focused on leadership and ministry development.

Dr. Dew is deeply committed to the growth of his congregation and the wider community, particularly through evangelism and leadership training programs. He is married to Marva Dew and is the father of two children, Rev. Samuel and Eboni Dew.

currently serves as the Managing Director and CEO of FSF Ventures, an impact investment fund, and as the CEO of Food Systems for the Future Institute, the Fund’s sister nonprofit. Each organization supports her vision of a world without hunger and malnutrition. Ambassador Cousin also serves as a Distinguished Fellow at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs; a Bosch Academy, Robert Weizsäcker Fellow; and as a Visiting Scholar at the Stanford University, Center on Food Security and Environment.

From 2012 until 2017, Cousin led the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) as

Executive Director. During her tenure, the 14,000-member WFP annually provided life sustaining food assistance to over 80 million people. Under her leadership the organization began the longer-term work of identifying, championing, and implementing more sustainable solutions for global hunger and malnutrition.

In 2009, Cousin was nominated and confirmed as the U.S. Ambassador to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome. Where she served from 2009-2012. Prior to her global hunger work, Cousin helped lead the U.S. domestic fight to end hunger, serving as the

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of America’s Second Harvest, now known as Feeding America. Cousin’s private sector experience includes several years of corporate retail leadership with Albertsons and Jewel Food stores.

Cousin is currently a member of the Bayer AG Supervisory Board, the Mondelez International Board of Directors, Board Chair of Allwyn-North America, and a Trustee of the African agriculture thinktank, Akademia2063.

Cousin is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago; the University of Georgia Law School and the University of Chicago Executive Management Program in Finance for Non-Financial Executives. She has been listed numerous times on Forbes’ 100 Most Powerful Women List, as Fortune’s Most Powerful Woman in Food and Drink, on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list, and as one of the 500 Most Powerful People on the Planet by Foreign Policy magazine.

is Principal of the Clean Energy Policy Strategy Consortium, LLC and has over two decades of experience leading in energy and financial services policy. More recently, Vincent helped lead on multiple major legislative initiatives including the Infrastructure Investment and Job Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) where he worked for inclusion of historical investments in demand-side policy, and helped establish key provisions of the $27 billion Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. His experience includes climate finance, energy tax incentives, demand flexibility, virtual power plants, and using energy policy as an economic development tool. Vincent is an effective policy leader with a demonstrated ability to engage both sides of the aisle, as reflected in his work on Gramm-Leach Bliley, Dodd-Frank, and his experience representing the investor-owned utility (IOU) industry.

Vincent is a former Legislative Counsel to Congressman Bobby L. Rush, former Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce; he has worked with multiple energy trade associations, including Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the American Gas Association (AGA), and the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI); and he  served as the leading executive of an urban-based community and economic development corporation on the south side of Chicago, where he led new single-family development, workforce training, and other initiatives. Most recently, Vincent led policy development as Senior Vice President of Policy, Research, and Analysis for the Alliance to Save Energy, a bi-partisan energy-demand-side policy organization; after which he worked as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for the AnnDyl Policy Group, a Washington-DC based policy firm.  

Vincent has a BA in English from Brigham Young University, and a JD from S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. 

has worked in Wealth and Investment Management for over 30 years, she started her career in the Trust Department at the First National Bank of Chicago, now J.P. Morgan Chase. One of first accounts she worked on at First Chicago was the trust set-up to help rebuild Holy Angels Church in 1986.

Laurie Edwards is currently a Director, Fiduciary Administration, BMO Wealth Management, where for the past 12 years she has served high net worth clients in areas of trust, estates, investment management and foundations.

Laurie retired briefly in 2002, only to be lured back into the workforce by her nephew, Lane Coleman whose growing company Strike Group, offered her an opportunity to learn new skills and leverage old skills. At Strike Group, a logistics and customized sourcing company, Laurie oversaw compliance and contracts with military, government, and commercial customers, such as Yum! Brands, Chemico Systems, Northwest Airline, Luxor Hotel, and MGM Grand, as well as local and national governing bodies like the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Veterans Administration, and the Nevada Department of Transportation.

Laurie’s giving heart has led her to various volunteer roles, which included fundraiser for organizations such as the Black Ensemble Theater, Bronzeville Alliance and Athletes Against Drugs. She has also volunteered with Legal Aid Chicago to help low-income seniors and their families with Healthcare and Financial Powers of Attorneys. And she is currently the Chairman of Budget and Finance for Ellis Park Advisory Council, in Bronzeville.

Laurie is often invited to teach financial literacy in schools and churches, which includes, introduction to investments and simple estate planning strategies.

Laurie is graduate of Chicago State University and the Cannon Financial Institute Trust School at Northwestern.

is a highly regarded Partner at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila LLP, where she leads the Business Transactions Team. With nearly 30 years of experience, LaVon has played a pivotal role in some of the nation's largest public-private partnership transactions, including the $1.8 billion privatization of the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge and the development of a major healthcare hub on Chicago’s South Side. Her expertise spans complex real estate, corporate transactions, and infrastructure projects, making her a sought-after advisor in these fields.

LaVon is also deeply committed to mentoring young attorneys and serves as an adjunct professor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. Recognized for her excellence, she was named the 2024 Woman of the Year by the Illinois Real Estate Journal

is a licensed minister of the gospel, a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. For more than 40 years she has served as an evangelist, teacher, and encourager, with nearly 20 of those years as a missionary, having traveled around the world spanning four continents, serving God’s people. Paulette is a retired licensed career social services delivery professional with 50 years of progressive experience in social service delivery and program management, specifically in the areas of adoptions, corrections, services to minority youth, family and community systems, substance abuse treatment, women’s issues and university field instruction. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master of Social Work degree and is currently working towards a Licensed Missionary Certification under the Church Of God In Christ. She is a bestselling author having authored three books and is a featured contributing author to a fourth book. She actively serves alongside her husband, former Congressman Bobby Rush, who serves as Pastor of Beloved Community Church Of God In Christ.

Executive Director of The Hope Center Foundation of Chicago. Shenita has over 20 years of experience in marketing and program design across sectors such as media, nonprofit, and ministry. She has been pivotal in leading efforts to tackle poverty and violence in Chicago’s South Side communities through initiatives in homeownership, financial literacy, and workforce development

is the CEO of i.c.stars, where she leads the organization’s national expansion efforts. A recognized leader in workforce development, Karin previously served as the founding CEO of the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, where she helped over 100,000 people secure employment and raised $150 million in philanthropic funds. With more than 30 years of experience in education, law, and community advocacy, she is committed to creating economic opportunities through technology and leadership training, particularly for underserved communities

is a prominent American politician, civil rights leader, and pastor, best known for co-founding the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party in the 1960s. Born on November 23, 1946, in Albany, Georgia, Rush moved to Chicago, where he became deeply involved in the civil rights movement. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1968 before shifting to political activism.

Rush’s political career began when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, representing Illinois's 1st Congressional District. He served in Congress until 2023, focusing on issues related to civil rights, economic development, and healthcare. He has also played key roles in major legislative initiatives, including healthcare reform and economic relief for underserved communities. In addition to his political career, Rush became an ordained Baptist minister and is known for his ongoing contributions to Chicago's community-based programs​

is the Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Director of the Esports and Digital Arts Center at Illinois Tech. Since 2013, she has fostered a competitive esports community of over 100 gamers and 1,200+ Discord members. A frequent speaker at events like C2E2 and IdeaCon, April also co-hosts the Warrior GMR podcast and has appeared on ABC 7 News and WVON Chicago to discuss esports.

April directs the Exelon Summer Institute (ESI), which promotes teamwork and college success. She also oversees Illinois Tech’s pre-collegiate programs, including Dual Enrollment and DevUp, helping the university qualify as a Hispanic Serving Institute.

April holds degrees from Boston University, Loyola Chicago, DePaul, and Illinois Tech, where she is currently a Ph.D. candidate. She also co-founded the Idea Shop and serves on the boards of Warrior GMR Foundation and ACE Mentor Program-Chicago.

is an ordained and licensed minister affectionately, called Pastor Frank throughout the Chicagoland area and the West Coast. As a radio broadcaster, Frank was a recognized voice on radio in Minneapolis, Phoenix, and Seattle-Tacoma.

His role in Corporate America advanced a well-rounded background in the areas of finance, sales, customer relationships, and employee morale. Along with the positions held in various nonprofit organizations, he demonstrates strong expertise on advisory boards with strategic planning and fund raising.

While on the West Coast, Frank held several business roles in both King & Pierce County of Washington State with his professional activities – The Salvation Army, Urban Ministries, Inc., Tacoma Ministerial Alliance, Tacoma Black Collective, Tacoma Sunrise Rotary and Tacoma / Pierce County Chamber of Commerce.

Frank is humbled and honored to be a 2017 joint recipient along with his wife Pam of an Honorary Doctorate Degree from GMOR Theological Institute of America Midwest Region. He is also recognized as one of the 2017 Most Distinguished Men of Illinois. Frank is an inductee of the Broadcasters Hall of Fame in Akron, Ohio and was the GMWA/GAG 2009 Gospel Announcer of the Year. Several other notable awards include the National Jitsuo Morikawa Evangelism Award, from the American Baptist Churches of USA, numerous awards in broadcasting in honor of renowned broadcasters who exemplified commitment to the community and other acknowledgements for his effective leadership.

Many know Pastor Frank as a strong, confident, and articulate leader with a passion for serving others. In addition, to having supported and served congregations across the country, he is a trained Intentional Interim Minister currently serving at the Hyde Park Union Church. In addition, he has served congregations as Interim Pastor in Wheaton, LaGrange and Warrenville, Illinois.

He serves as President, of the American Baptist Churches - Metro Chicago consisting of over sixty churches. He is on several boards including the PMorrris & Associates, Layfette Gatling Sr Scholarship Fund, National Museum of Gospel Music, Congressman Bobby Rush Legacy, and the Alzheimer’s Association of Illinois as chair of the DEI Committee, and committee member on the Care & Support, and Research committees.

is a Film and Television Producer, Entertainment Executive, and Lawyer. Educated at the University of Illinois and DePaul University of Law, she holds admission to both the Illinois Bar and the California State Bar.

Ms. Thomas practiced law with Bushkin, Kopelson, Gaines, Gaims, Wolf & Jonas, a premier entertainment law firm in Century City, Ca. She left to become Executive Vice President of Johnny Carson Productions followed by Executive Vice President of Motown Productions & DePasse Entertainment. She was the catalyst behind bringing the Image Awards to network television as Executive Producer of "The 20th, 21st, and 22nd Annual NAACP Image Awards". She also produced “Kid ‘N Play” for NBC Network Saturday Morning, "Who’s The Man?” for New Line Cinema and “Class Act” for Warner Bros.

Serving her community in Chicago, Ms. Thomas organized Sinai Community's Family Enterprise Institute, making small business education, legal services and microloan programs available to low and middle-income families startups. She was a Consultant to The HistoryMakers, a non-profit research and educational institution committed to recording and preserving African American oral histories to educate and enlighten millions worldwide. She also taught Legal Aspects of the Arts and Entertainment at Columbia College Chicago, the nation’s largest visual, performing, media, and communication arts college.

Today, Ms. Thomas provides business and creative development services to the entertainment industry and intellectual property related businesses. In association with the numerous contacts and relationships she developed working and living in Hollywood for over 20 years, she continues to create and maintain a varied slate of special projects intended for multiple platforms, including music, cable, internet, television and film distribution.

is a resident in the Englewood Community and also an active member of The Beloved Community Church Of God in Christ. 

is a retired Director of Community Planning and Development for the Chicago office of HUD, where he oversaw a $1 billion annual budget across various housing and development programs. A Kansas State University graduate, Ray has also served in urban planning roles in Ohio and Kansas, and taught at Kansas State. He is a board member for several Chicago nonprofits, established a scholarship fund for minority students at his alma mater, and is involved in the Chicago Architecture Center and Toastmasters International. Ray is married with two children.