Chicago United for Equity

CUE is looking for a dynamic, talented, and motivated individual to join the organization as a full-time Fellowship Director! The deadline to apply is September 30th!

Learn more and apply at www.chicagounitedforequity.org/join-our-team-1, if you or someone you know is excited about facilitating transformative, co-created learning environments, building deep community bonds, and supporting individuals and organizations in translating a commitment to racial justice into new practice and culture.

Thank you to Niketa Brar and Dr. Glenance Green for presenting to our 2024 Fellows as part of their continued learning journey! Niketa is CUE’s co-founder and former Executive Director. She is currently PolicyLink's Director of Policy and Technical Assistance, Sustainable Cities. Dr. Glenance was a 2019 CUE Fellow. She co-founded Black Researchers Collective and currently serves as the Executive Director.

We are excited to announce that CUE has officially joined Instagram! Follow CUE at www.instagram.com/cuechicago to stay updated on our work and our community.

Join scholars, activists, and artists in critical dialogues on justice, power, and change from September 20th-22nd at UIC Social Justice Initiative's upcoming conference: “Through the Portal: Growing the World We Want”. The Early bird registration rate starting at $45 has been extended through Monday, August 19th. Register now at https://throughtheportal2024.com/.

Growing the World We Want — Chicago, IL, 2024 Register by August 4th, 2024! Secure your spot at this groundbreaking event.

CUE's 2024 Fellows went on a Chicago neighborhood tour led by Sherman “Dilla” Thomas. The Fellows, CUE staff, and Candace C. Moore, Fellowship Faculty, visited Bronzeville and North Lawndale to learn about the communities' civic trauma and unwritten history, which should be represented as part of Chicago's story.

Chicago Mahogany Tours is dedicated to preserving and disseminating the city of Chicago's rich history. Learn more about Mahogany Tours in Chicago at www.chicagomahogany.com.

The Overton Exchange Plaza is now open! It is a community gathering space located on the grounds of former Anthony Overton Elementary at 221 E. 49th Street. Congratulations to Paola Aguirre Serrano, a 2019 CUE Fellow and 2021 Senior Fellow, a founder and partner of Borderless Studio and the other collaborative partners, on achieving this milestone!

Photo credit: Chicago Department of Planning & Development

We are grateful to be receiving a multi-year grant from Woods Fund Chicago. This is a historic grantmaking cycle by Woods Fund Chicago and we are proud to be a grantee partner!

Congratulations to Libia Bianibi, 2020 Fellow and Former CUE Board Member, and Umi Grigsby, 2022 CUE Fellow, on being selected to participate in the 2025 Class of the Leadership Greater Chicago Signature Fellows Program. Selection into the program is based on a record of professional accomplishment, evidence of leadership skills, the potential to influence positive change, and a commitment to the region. Learn more at https://lgcchicago.org/news-press-releases.

News & Press Releases | Leadership Greater Chicago Recent LGC News and Press Releases

CUE has co-designed our five-year strategic plan with our community, Staff, Board, Fellows, and Funders to outline our work towards transforming Chicagoans’ relationship to power. Read our full strategic plan at https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/approach.

As the Co-Governance Steering Committee kicked off this week, take a look back at the event recap from last fall where local leaders convened to discuss the principles and values of what Co-Governance could look like for Chicagoans. Watch now at https://vimeo.com/881749277.

Exploring Co-Governance in Chicago and Beyond Recap of a gathering on September 25, 2023, exploring the values and principles of co-governance.

This past weekend, the 2024 CUE Fellows participated in their first workshop at an opening retreat. The Fellows discussed how they will collaborate and learn together throughout their program.

Congratulations to Jessyca Dudley, the Founder and CEO of Bold Ventures, and a CUE 2020 Fellow on the opening of Bold Ventures’ office space! Bold Ventures works to disrupt traditional philanthropy, and to support impactful leaders in advancing racial equity.

We have partnered with the Office of Equity and Racial Justice (OERJ) to establish a Co-Governance Steering Committee that aims to join both government and community in collaborative work for solutions on Chicago’s most critical challenges.

Today we are proud to announce that the members of the committee have been selected! Join us in welcoming to the committee, Catherina Collins, Mike Tekh Strode, Jose Manuel Almanza, ángela munguía, Rosazlia Grillier, Adam Kader, Andrea Ortiz, Dixon Romeo, and Mark Anthony Florido. This committee consists of diverse, cross-sectored, community-connected individuals who will design and facilitate community conversations to create a shared definition as well as supporting values and principles for Chicago through community conversations and reflection. Read more at https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/post/oerj-and-cue-announce-co-governance-steering-committee .

OERJ and CUE Announce Co-Governance Steering Committee Representatives from across the city will work toward defining what co-governance means for Chicago!CHICAGO – In response to growing calls for collaborative governance from community leaders, elected officials, and public servants, the City of Chicago, Office of Equity and Racial Justice, and Chic...

Thank you to everyone who attended CUE’s Showcase on May 9th at the Garfield Park Conservatory. We are grateful for the support from over 150 members of our CUEmmunity that came out to celebrate our 2023 CUE Fellows! We took a moment to reflect on our collective work of the last year and also announced our 2024 Fellowship cohort. Read the event recap and view event photos at https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/post/cue-2024-annual-showcase-a-day-of-inspiration

CUE 2024 Annual Showcase: A Day of Inspiration Recap of the 2024 Annual Showcase

CUE welcomes Denee Hill, our new Communications Manager, to our team! Denee joined CUE in April and will lead the organization's efforts in gathering stories of transformative change from our network. Learn more about Denee on our website at https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/post/denee-hill-is-the-new-communications-manager.

CUE would like to congratulate Juan Sebastian Arias, a 2017/2018 CUE Fellow, on becoming Elevated Chicago’s newest Executive Director! Read more about Juan Sebastian’s journey to this role at https://elevatedchicago.org/new-executive-director/.

Juan Sebastian Arias is the new Executive Director of Elevated Chicago - Elevated Chicago Juan Sebastian Arias is the new Executive Director of Elevated Chicago! He brings 15 years of experience in urban planning and equity work to the role.

We are excited to announce our 2024 CUE Fellowship cohort! CUE’s Fellowship unites 24 diverse leaders, disruptors, and healers who are committed to shifting power to communities and building an equitable Chicago for everyone. Throughout this year-long program, CUE Fellows will collaborate in a powerful learning community designed to build a more equitable Chicago by reimagining its structures, policies, and practices through a racial equity lens. Learn more about the 2024 CUE Fellows at www.chicagounitedforequity.org/fellows.

Our Showcase is next week! Join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Garfield Park Conservatory to celebrate our 2023 CUE Fellows and the work of our CUEmmunity - RSVP today! https://rb.gy/8hg89s

Join us on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the Garfield Park Conservatory as we celebrate our 2023 CUE Fellows and the work of our CUEmmunity - RSVP today! https://rb.gy/n80zqv

🎉 Join us in congratulating Sendy L. Soto, 2018 CUE Fellow, on her appointment as the City of Chicago’s first Chief Homelessness Officer. In this crucial role, Sendy will coordinate efforts across City departments and sister agencies to develop a comprehensive plan to address the homelessness crisis in Chicago.

Learn more about the creation of this position at the link below, which underscores Chicago’s commitment to making housing a fundamental right for all its residents.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/04/01/chicagos-1st-chief-homelessness-officer-will-be-sendy-soto/

📣 We’re seeking a dynamic Executive Director to join our team! The ideal candidate is deeply committed to serving Chicago and its diverse communities and has a proven track record of implementing cross-functional strategies focused on racial equity. With strong ties to Chicago, they’ll bring a vast understanding of the city’s social, economic, and political landscape and an eagerness to foster cross-sectoral relationships. Learn more and apply!

https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/join-our-team

Exciting news! 🎉 We proudly share our 2023 Annual Report—a reflection of our collective dedication to fostering an inclusive and equitable Chicago. This past year was marked by significant growth and deep collaboration. Learn more about how we’re championing equity, breaking barriers, and working towards creating a thriving Chicago for all! 💙🏙️
https://rb.gy/zpewzt

Join us in congratulating Jianan Shi, Chicago Board of Education President, 2020 CUE Fellow, and 2022 Senior Fellow, on being named one of Chicago magazine's 50 Most Powerful Chicagoans!

Jianan was appointed President of the Chicago Board of Education by Mayor Johnson in July 2023. He previously served as executive director of Raise Your Hand for Illinois Public Education. Jianan has a background in high school science education and civic engagement, actively contributing to organizations promoting equity and justice. You can find more info about Jianan at number 46 at the link below.

https://www.chicagomag.com/chicago-magazine/march-2024/the-50-most-powerful-chicagoans-ranked/

Join us in congratulating Rachel Pate, CUE’s Director of Civic Programming, on being part of the 2024 Cultivate: Women of Color Leadership cohort!

Cultivate brings together women of color leaders involved in diverse justice initiatives such as gender and racial equity, labor rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, and immigrant rights. The program's mission is to internally transform these movements, strengthen participant relationships, and encourage collaborations across organizations to advance a collective vision of equity and justice for all.

As a joint effort by Crossroads Fund, Chicago Foundation for Women, Woods Fund Chicago, Walder Foundation, and The Chicago Community Trust, Cultivate aspires to instill an intentional gender and racial equity lens within the institutions where these women work.

Heartfelt congratulations to the entire 2024 Cultivate cohort! 🎉 Your dedication is driving positive change.

Exciting Opportunity Alert! Join CUE as a Communications Manager and be at the forefront of transformative change! If you're a passionate storyteller, creative content creator, and a thoughtful collaborator, we want YOU! Help us build the case for audacious systems change.
The deadline to apply is Friday, February 23rd.
Learn more and apply: https://www.chicagounitedforequity.org/join-our-team

There are only a few more days before the 2024 CUE Fellowship deadline!
This is your opportunity to put your love for Chicago into action. Perhaps Jessica Sullivan-Wilson’s, 2017/2018 CUE Fellow, testimonial will motivate you to finalize and hit submit.

Jessica Sullivan-Wilson 2017/2018 CUE Fellow Testimonial Jessica Sullivan-Wilson (2017/2018 CUE Fellow and 2021 CUE Senior Fellow) shares how she found family and impact within her CUE Fellowship cohort. For more information…

"As Chicago United for Equity enters a season of transition, its mission remains the same, to build a just, equitable and inclusive city."

Read more in the recent article published in Chicago Citizen Newspaper featuring Terri Johnson, CUE Board Chair.

https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2023/dec/27/chicago-united-equity-continues-work-toward-equity/

We're pleased to announce an extension of the application deadline for the 2024 CUE Fellowship!
Thanks to the overwhelming interest and active engagement during our info sessions and office hours, we want to ensure everyone has adequate time to submit their applications.
Applications are now due by 11:59 PM on Tuesday, January 16.
https://view.flodesk.com/emails/657356e966c38907fd519840

CUE Fellows transform their visions of racial equity into immediate, tangible actions. Don't miss the opportunity to apply for the 2024 CUE Fellowship by the December 18th deadline.
chicagounitedforequity.org/fellowship/2024

CUE is excited to welcome Christina Córdova-Herrera as our new Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy.

Christina brings a wealth of experience in communications and narrative work, spanning 17 years. She will lead the development and implementation of our narrative strategy, overseeing media relations and enhancing our internal and external communications.

Join us in welcoming her to the CUE Community!

Christina Córdova-Herrera is the New Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy Chicago United for Equity welcomes a new Director of Communications and Narrative Strategy to share CUE's impact with stories that resonate