In 2023, Myetie Hamilton was appointed in her new role as CEO Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Greater Chicago. She is the first Black woman to hold this position and is responsible for leading the organization by providing the knowledge and network to lead bold, transformative change. LGC is centered around developing the next generation of civic leaders.
She also fulfilled her current position as the president of the Chicago Park District. She said her commitment is to aid resources and programs for the children and families that live within the 77 neighborhoods across the city through park services.
With an extensive biography of civic engagement, career milestones and an Alabama A&M University education, how did this passion turn into a career for Myetie? It originated with her grandparents on the Southside of Chicago.
Becoming an Advocate and Champion
“I’m a Chicago native, born and raised on the South Side. I grew up in South Shore in the 1970s. I was raised by a single teenage mom, with the support of my grandparents. My grandparents were and are my inspiration for who I have become as a civic leader. They are the foundation of my passion and commitment to civic leadership, empowering our people, especially those most marginalized.”
Myetie’s grandfather was the vice president of SEIU Local 73, a labor union where he represented healthcare workers. He also was the first African-American to be appointed chair of the Board of Regents for the colleges in Illinois.
“I saw him day in and day out, advocating and serving as a champion and supporting working-class families. I also traveled with my grandfather when they would have conferences for the Union. I remember him taking me to football games for NIU, and we would go to the president’s house afterward. I got to see my grandfather in action quite a bit.”
Her grandmother, for many years, was a crossing guard. As Myetie grew up, seeing her grandmother as a protector of the community she served inspired her to be rooted in it as well.
“That was instilled in me throughout my life, the importance of what we represent for the people who need it most, serving as an advocate and a champion, and catalyzing someone who brings others to the table. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago was a wonderful experience.”
After high school, Myetie became the first person in her generation to finish a four-year degree in her family, graduating from Alabama A&M University, a historically black university in Huntsville, Alabama, where she studied business.
She accumulated knowledge and experience from her family and education and started her career with Chicago Public Schools.
“I had an 18-year career at CPS. As a young 21-year-old at the time, coming out of undergraduate school, I started in the finance department but was quickly transferred into an advanced position. My observations were far beyond those in finance and accounting. My thoughts were centered around the systems and the structures of CPS that could support principals at the local school level.”
She remained at CPS for 18 years, then transitioned to the nonprofit space by working for City Year Chicago for 10 years.
Making a Better, Stronger and More Equitable Chicago
Leadership Greater Chicago is currently investing in the community in many ways.
The fellows, who are the connected leaders and influencers of the organization, are making significant investments in Chicago. Their plan moving forward is to elevate areas and tap into our communities with the advancement of collaborative action to support the needs of our city.
Hamilton stated, “The city needs collection, action and support. Leadership Greater Chicago is an organization that develops diverse leaders from across sectors. The public, private, philanthropic and nonprofit sectors. We bring these leaders together to form deep connections and a deep understanding of the city of Chicago, our region, and the many issues plaguing our region and communities. When we look at solving these issues, it will take collaboration across these sectors to come together to make Chicago better, stronger and more equitable.”
The Chicago Park District is also developing a new strategic plan to make investments that contribute to equity in our most under-resourced communities.
Under Myetie’s leadership, the Chicago Park District plans to create parks and field houses that the youth and families go to and use across the city. The team is reimagining the program and aligning that with the feedback learned from our families and young people.
For LGC, the plan is to use the city as a “classroom” for improvement. She said that to understand what people need, you must see what they are discussing.
“The city will be used as a classroom, with Leadership Greater Chicago being a part of it, which means taking our fellows into various communities across the city. We center on the city’s South and West Sides, and the fellows will get to explore and know the culture of Chicago. Fellows will understand our city’s history and fabric, which is civic engagement’s importance, the work happening in these communities, and how they can become major contributors to leading more change across the city.”
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