2023 Chicago Finalists

Chicago Foundation for Women

Outstanding Service, Female - Local

Chicago Foundation for Women
Activist

Since 1985, CFW has led the movement to achieve fundamental rights and equal opportunities, investing in women and girls as catalysts in building stronger communities for all.

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Chicago Humanities

Special Recognition - Local

Chicago Humanities
Activist, Artist

Chicago Humanities connects people to the ideas that shape and define us and promotes the lifelong exploration of what it means to be human. Chicago Humanities fosters curiosity, celebrates creativity, explores the boundaries of contemporary knowledge and culture, and challenges us to see ourselves and the world anew.

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Chicago Urban League

Outstanding Social Services/CBO - Local

Chicago Urban League
Activist

The Chicago Urban League works to achieve equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment. Our Purpose and Vision Economic and racial equity for Black Chicago.

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Pride in The Pews

Outstanding Service, Institutional - Local

Pride in The Pews
Activist

Pride in The Pews is a grassroots nationwide nonprofit building bridge and creating solutions that empower the Black LGBTQ+ community to thrive in the pew, the pulpit, and the public square.

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Dr. Maurice  Brownlee

Outstanding Healthcare Professional - Local

Dr. Maurice Brownlee
Activist, Healthcare Professional

Dr. Brownlee is a wellness & health services provider with broad expertise in internal medicine and treating infectious diseases. He is the Chief Wellness Officer & Medical Director of Wellness Homes in Chicago.

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Joel D Jackson

Outstanding Service, Male - Local

Joel D Jackson
Activist

Joel D. Jackson, works in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, part of the Urban Health Initiative at UChicago Medicine. He is the Director of Inclusion and Equity Strategies.

 Dion Alexander  McNeal

Future Leaders - Local

Dion Alexander McNeal
Activist, Artist

Dion Alexander McNeal is an HIV Advocate, Community Co-Chair, and digital designer. He is the Manager/Founder of Hopeful in Victory LLC.

Jae  Rice

Outstanding Service, Transgender - Local

Jae Rice
Activist

Jae Rice (he/him) is a trans-masculine public figure fighting for the liberation of oppressed communities daily. Jae is the Interim CEO at Brave Space Alliance.

avery r. young

Artistic Expression - Local

avery r. young
Activist, Artist

Chicago's 1st Poet Laureate, interdisciplinary artist and educator avery r. young [him, him, his] is a Leader for a New Chicago 2022 awardee, a Cave Canem fellow and a co-director of The Floating Museum. His poetry and prose have been featured in BreakBeat Poets, Teaching Black, Poetry Magazine and alongside images in photographer Cecil McDonald Jr's, In The Company of Black. He is the composer and librettist for a new commissioned work from The Lyrics Opera of Chicago titled safronia. HIs full length recording tubman. is the soundtrack to his collection of poetry, neckbone: visual verses.

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