The Field Foundation of Illinois

Join us at #NABJ2024 with a panel featuring some BIPOC stars of Field's Journalism & Storytelling portfolio: Kai EL' Zabar, Tonika Johnson, Tatiana Walk-Morris, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, & Trina Reynolds-Tyler, moderated by Taryn G. We'll talk about changing the way news & narrative reflect #Chicago. See you on Aug 1! #journalism #storytelling #community #localnews Image description: Social image promoting the Field Foundation panel at the National Association of Black Journalists convention on August 1. Green text on white background reads "Changing the Wy News and Narrative Reflect Chicago: Meet Some BIPOC Stars of the Field Foundation Journalism & Storytelling Portfolio: THURSDAY, AUG. 1, 11am-12:30pm. Beneath are circular images of the five panelists: Kai EL’ Zabar, Tonika Lewis Johnson, Tatiana Walk-Morris, Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, & trina reynolds-tyler, and moderator Taryn Galbreath. Logos of the Field Foundation and NABJ appear in the lower left and right corners.

Attending #NABJ2024? We're less than 1 week away from the Field Foundation panel, "Changing the Way News & Narrative Reflect Chicago." Join us next Thurs, 8/1, to talk community journalism & storytelling with some of Chicago's best!

“Having unique products and services will make us a cultural destination,” said Fears. “Not only can you enjoy Black culture through your dishes, but you also can buy art and clothing that reflects your cultural heritage. Concerts, farmers markets, giveaways of coats or school supplies—we do all of the above here. We even offer stepping parties and environmental programming for students.” Wonderful piece about Mahalia's Mile. Congratulations to Nedra Sims Fears, Executive Director for Greater Chatham Initiative, and to the GCI team on this neighborhood revitalization effort. Nedra was recognized as a 2024 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee by the Field and MacArthur Foundation for her transformative impact in building a more inclusive #Chicago.

Meet Nedra Sims Fears, Executive Director for Greater Chatham Initiative (GCI), a nonprofit, place-based, community development organization serving the Auburn Gresham, Avalon Park, Chatham, and Greater Grand Crossing Black Chicago Southside neighborhoods. Inspired by her idyllic childhood in Chatham, Fears has championed Greater Chatham to benefit the next generation. During her tenure at GCI, she created Mahalia’s Mile, a state-designated Cultural District on 79th Street between State Street and Cottage Grove Avenue. She completed an architectural design plan and is executing the repositioning of Mahalia’s Mile as both a walkable and economically viable corridor for its 16,700 residents and 500,000 tourists and bus riders. Along with MacArthur Foundation, we celebrate Nedra as a 2024 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. Learn more about how she is building a more inclusive #Chicago: https://bit.ly/3zWchjD Image Description: Photo of Nedra Sims Fears smiling against a gray background. She is wearing a rounded-collar shirt and sparkling earrings. In the lower right corner is the red-and-white star logo for "Leaders for a New Chicago" and text "2024 awardees." Beneath that is the text of Nedra's name, "she/her" pronouns, and organization, "Greater Chatham Initiative."

Exciting news from The Joyce Foundation. Congratulations to Julie Morita. We look forward to your leadership and contributions in #Chicago and the Great Lakes region! #philanthropy

Sharing this Board opportunity at alt_ Chicago, an artist-led, cultural nonprofit that is dedicated to revitalization, service, and empowerment through art, faith, and community. Jordan Campbell, the Co-Founder and Director of alt_Chicago, was recognized by the The Field Foundation of Illinois and the MacArthur Foundation as a 2024 Leaders for a New Chicago awardee, for his impact in building a more inclusive community. See more details below.

Meet Malcom Evans, Director of Farms for Urban Growers Collective, a Black- and women-led, non-profit urban farm working to build a more just and equitable local food system. Malcolm began his farming career at age nine, when Growing Power cultivated the Chicago Lights Urban Farm and Community Garden in the Cabrini-Green neighborhood. Along with the MacArthur Foundation, we celebrate Malcom as a 2024 #LeadersForANew Chicago awardee. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4f9mUj4 #Community #Philanthropy #Chicago

Field Fellowship opportunity! For college students pursuing graduate degrees in #chicago, we’re offering a premier experience in #philanthropy and #community power building. Apply now for our 2024-2025 academic year fellowship. See here for more details: https://bit.ly/3wgk0HE

Meet Cassidy Dimon, Director of Programs & Accessibility at Full Spectrum Features, an arts nonprofit uplifting the stories of women, LGBTQ , disabled, and BIPOC communities through film production, exhibition, and field-wide initiatives. Along with MacArthur Foundation, we celebrate Cassidy as a 2024 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. Cassidy is the founder of the Film Event Accessibility Working Group, a collective that harnesses the collaborative power of event professionals to help film exhibitors across the country develop and execute accessible film events. She is also one of the creators of the groundbreaking accessibility tool, the Film Event Accessibility Scorecard, which was recently featured in Forbes: https://bit.ly/3We9uuO. Congrats to Cassidy on her work to build a more inclusive #Chicago. Learn about her leadership here: https://bit.ly/3XX1yzy #DisabilityPrideMonth Image Description: Headshot of Cassidy Dimon smiling. A brick wall is in the background. The red and white "Leaders for a New Chicago" logo is in the lower right corner with the words "2024 awardees." Beneath is her name, and the words "(she/they)", and "Organization: Full Spectrum Features." 

It is with heavy hearts that we mark the transition of Field Foundation Life Director Judith Stofer Block, who passed away on June 26 at the age of 83. Judy dedicated her life to civic service and made an incredible impact in the many leadership roles she played in the city of Chicago. A trailblazer, she was the first woman to lead the board of the Field Museum. She served on the Executive Committee of the Chicago Community Trust. She was also passionate about child welfare and served on the boards of the Jane Addams Juvenile Court Foundation, the Child Welfare League of America, and the Chicago Foundation for Education. Judy led the Field Foundation Board of Directors as Board Chair from 2009-2014. We benefited from her stewardship, powerful presence, and kind nature. We are grateful for her leadership and legacy.