The Field Foundation and The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation have announced the 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago cohort. These 10 exceptional leaders are driving the racial and social justice movement in Chicago, exemplifying transformative change at the community level.
The Leaders for a New Chicago program recognizes their past achievements and aims to foster a more inclusive city by highlighting leaders who are reshaping civic discourse and action. Each awardee will receive a $25,000 unrestricted grant, while their affiliated organizations will receive an additional $25,000 general operating grant.
Since its launch in 2019, the Leaders for a New Chicago Award has received a total commitment of $4.2 million from the MacArthur Foundation, supporting recipients and their affiliated organizations through 2024. The leaders’ work aligns with the Field Foundation’s focus on Art, Justice, and Media & Storytelling, addressing systemic issues in historically underserved communities. Eligibility for the award includes leaders from existing grantee organizations of the Field Foundation and the MacArthur Foundation’s Chicago Commitment and Chicago-based Journalism & Media grantees.
“Our city thrives when its leaders serve its residents,” Field Foundation President Daniel O. Ash said. “The 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago awardees are transformational in their leadership and bring a strong commitment to community, to racial and social justice, and to making a lasting impact for the benefit of the Chicagoans they serve. They make our city better.”
A committee of past awardees, in collaboration with Field and MacArthur staff, conducted a thorough review of nominations and recommended the recipients for the 2023 awards. This year’s leaders consist of advocates, artists, educators, journalists, organizers, and storytellers, representing the diverse Chicago community and the multifaceted challenges they confront.
“Our 2023 awardees have demonstrated exceptional leadership, and we are profoundly inspired by their stories and accomplishments,” said Field Foundation Leadership Investment Program Officer analía rodríguez, who was a member of the inaugural 2019 cohort. “They exemplify a unique combination of strength and love for their communities and for Chicago.”
Geoffrey Banks, Senior Program Officer of the Chicago Commitment at MacArthur, expressed pride in recognizing these transformative voices that are forging a more inclusive Chicago, one that truly represents its diverse residents and communities. Through the ‘no-strings-attached’ award, these leaders have the freedom to utilize the funds in pursuit of their personal and professional aspirations, further shaping our city’s future.
We extend our congratulations to the esteemed 2023 Leaders for a New Chicago awardees and their respective organizations, listed below.
Learn more about them at: https://fieldfoundation.org/2023-leaders-for-a-new-chicago.
ART
Carlos Flores, Programs Manager & Community Organizer, Chicago Art Department
Phil Jackson, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, The Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago
Yvette Moyo, Founder & Executive Director, Real Men Charities
JUSTICE
Glo Choi, Community Organizer, HANA Center
Mark Clements, Community Organizer, Chicago Torture Justice Center
Ling Young, Youth Organizer, Southside Together Organizing for Power
Nasir Zakaria, Founder & Executive Director, Rohingya Culture Center
MEDIA & STORYTELLING
Amethyst J. Davis, Founder, The Harvey World Herald
Vanessa Harris, President and Founder, Strategy for Access
Judith McCray, Founder & Creative Director, Juneteenth Productions