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TSOP Honorees

Chicago Icons and Legends

COMMON

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DEBORAH HARRINGTON

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JOHN H. JOHNSON

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WILBUR MILHOUSE III

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DERRICK ROSE

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Community Honorees

LESLIE ANDERSON RUTLAND

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DION DAWSON

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JAHKIL NAAEM JACKSON

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JANELL NELSON

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ESSENCE SMITH

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Courtesy of Brian Bowen Smith

COMMON

“I think making a difference in the lives of others is my life’s purpose.”

Before he was Common, he was Common Sense, something he has plenty of that reflects his core beliefs, choices, causes and his art. His philanthropy is not something apart from his enterprise; it is intrinsic.

Lonnie Rashid Lynn (his government name) credits his parents with instilling in him the soul of a humanitarian and the heart of a champion. His father, Lonnie Lynn, was a professional basketball player and youth counselor. His mother is Dr. Mahalia Lynn Hines, a former school principal and education administrator who now helms the Common Ground Foundation. Dedication to youth development, sports, and education is in his DNA.

A multi-talented creative, Common has excelled in all his endeavors – rapper, actor, humanitarian, model, spokesperson, producer, entrepreneur and activist. He has authored two books – One Day It Will All Make Sense and Let Love Have the Last Word. The consistent thread in all these is the desire to uplift and inspire. His voice carries influence and intensity, and he exercises great care in how it is used, rapping only causes he believes in and only words of positivity and empowerment.

From his debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar?, to his recent triumph, A Beautiful Revolution – Parts I and II, Common has blessed us with lyrical excellence and messages of hope and healing. His reward has been commercial success and worldwide recognition. He is the recipient of a host of prestigious honors – two Grammys, an Emmy, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe and many more. He has been heralded from the schoolhouse to the White House and consistently has defied the trend to glorify violence and sexism often associated with his genre. Common is the ultimate representative of authentic hip-hop culture. 

Yet, for him, the greatest honor is to use his platform and resources to support causes that matter and to initiate activation that will catalyze sustainable change. Charities that Common supports include Artists for Peace and Justice, Boys and Girls Clubs of America, the United Negro College Fund, Keep A Child Alive, Save the Music Foundation, UNICEF, Jazz Foundation of America, Stand Up To Cancer, the Serena Williams Foundation and many more. That might be enough for some, but Lonnie Rashid Lynn is an overachiever when it comes to philanthropy. He has founded three major high-impact initiatives that underscore his determination to catalyze long-term systemic change:

  • Common Ground Foundation – Empowers high school youth to create their future, and the Foundation helps them through character development, creative expression, financial literacy, nutrition, healthy living, social impact, technology and leadership.

  • Imagine Justice – Dedicated to uplifting people currently or formerly incarcerated. It aims to bring humanity to those who society has marginalized by leveraging the power of art to inspire and spark change through the advancement of community-centered justice systems.

  • Art In Motion – Perhaps the most ambitious of Common’s causes is the innovative high school he opened in Chicago’s South Shore community. Students are encouraged to embrace their unique identities by exploring their talents and gifts. It will, no doubt, be the gift that keeps on giving as it develops next-generation leaders who impact their peers, the community and the world.

Common’s philosophy can best be summarized by a quote featured on the school’s website – “Be the kind of leader that creates other leaders.”               

Photography by Tony Smith

DEBORAH HARRINGTON

“If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” -- African proverb

Deborah Harrington is a triple threat – she knows what needs to be done, she knows why it needs to be done, and she knows how to do it!  Her remarkable career has been informed by her personal experiences with discrimination, as well as the collective experiences of African Americans with entrenched institutional racism.

Harrington’s professional life has encompassed social advocacy and reform in both private and public sector settings. A seasoned activist and community organizer, her life’s work has been dedicated to addressing social and economic disparities by tackling them at the root. Dedicated to the dismantling of old systems and the creation of new ones, her focus has been structural and policy changes that address the inequities and ever-widening economic gap in this country. Known as an innovative and principled strategist, Deborah is the person you want in the room when fearless advocacy for the marginalized is required and tough decisions have to be made.  Make no mistake about it: when Deborah Harrington is in the room, she is not just at the table, she sets the table. The list of these critical engagements is long and includes: the African American Center on Global Politics and Human Rights, the Governor’s Task Force on Human Services Reform, the Center for Impact Research, CHANGE Illinois and the recently established Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative.

Deborah Harrington’s impact on philanthropy has been profound, as she has served on taskforces, commissions, study groups and literally has helped write the book on foundation standards and operations. She was a contributor to the GrantCraft Guide, “Grantmaking with a Racial Equity Lens.” She is thoroughly versed on the intricacies of charitable giving and has played an integral role in re-defining the process of charitable giving and social policy at the local, state and federal levels. It was inevitable that her vast storehouse of knowledge would result in leadership roles at several Chicago foundations – President and CEO of the Eleanor Foundation, Vice President of the Board of the Donors Forum, and President and CEO of the Woods Fund of Illinois.

A key aspect of being a game changer is assuring that there is sufficient bench strength to achieve and sustain the victories that have been won. Still one more area of excellence and giving for Harrington has been the mentoring of others, particularly women and people of color, and the establishment of influential networks that can facilitate the spread of new ideas and the adoption of innovative practices. Deborah has been an advisor to Women of Color Leadership, Chicago Women in Philanthropy, Willie’s Warriors – Chicago Foundation of Women, and the African American Legacy Fund at the Chicago Community Trust. Indeed, this very exhibition can be seen as one of her significant achievements as she co-founded its sponsor, Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy, with colleague Timothy Russell in 1998.

Deborah Harrington’s exemplary leadership, tenacity and resolve is the gift that keeps on giving, and we are grateful for all she does to help create a just and equitable society for us all.

Courtesy of Getty Images

JOHN H. JOHNSON

“It's not what the dream is; it's what the dreamer does.”

On August 17, 2005, the Chicago Tribune headline read “Philanthropy lost a friend with the death of John H. Johnson,” and truer words were never spoken. Indeed, the pioneering multi-millionaire business icon shared the love and set a legacy in motion that endures to this day.

John Johnson’s business empire encompassed publishing, cosmetics, radio and television production and will always represent the pinnacle of entrepreneurial achievement. It has been said that he amassed a fortune of half a billion dollars, but he did much more than that. He showed Black success and achievement, to the world and to Black people, when no such stories were told in mainstream media. Johnson epitomized the title of his book, “Succeeding Against the Odds.” He turned rejection into motivation repeatedly and devised innovative financing models and sales strategies that are still fodder for business school case studies.

Much has been written about Johnson launching his publishing empire with a $500 loan his mother, Gertrude, secured by using her furniture as collateral. But only some know what he did after that. He should be credited with creating the first Go Fund Me campaign. At the time, Johnson was working at Supreme Life Insurance and had access to their mailing list. He used the money to mail out solicitations to their 20,000 policyholders, offering them a subscription to the magazine for a $2 investment. This maneuver yielded $6,000, which provided Johnson with the necessary seed money to launch his first magazine, Negro Digest. And it was on!

Over four decades, John H Johnson launched at least seven magazines; bought three radio stations; started Ebony Fashion Fair, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, and Ebony-Jet Tours, a travel service; established a book division that published 42 books by Black authors; and went into television production with the Ebony/Jet Celebrity Showcase series. Through these vehicles and fueled by his passion for his people, he was the springboard for many others who benefitted from his mentorship and resources. Creating opportunity was his philanthropy because of how much he poured into emerging professionals in numerous fields. Still, he also practiced more traditional forms of giving. 

Mr. Johnson provided invaluable support to civil rights organizations and political campaigns. He supported the United Negro College Fund, as well as individual educational institutions like Fisk, Howard and Atlanta University. He gave $4 million to endow the School of Communications at Howard. The Ebony Fashion Fair, the brainchild of his equally astute wife, Eunice Johnson, raised $58 million for African American churches, organizations and so much more.

One of his favored mentees and a media mogul in his own right, Tom Joyner, said, “He taught me how to ‘super serve’ a community, meaning to get a true understanding of what people want and need and then provide it for them and make their lives better.”       

We will speak his name forever.

Photography by Tony Smith

WILBUR MILHOUSE III

“We are more than just engineers. We are advocates for improving the world around us.”

Wilbur Milhouse III is devoted to bringing more people into the “house.” Indeed, even as Milhouse Engineering and Construction reverberates with the energy of exciting global projects, Milhouse is implementing programs to introduce youth to the joys and rewards of STEM – science, technology, engineering and math. He credits his love for and mastery of mathematics as central to his success.

Founded in 2001, Milhouse Engineering and Construction is a full-service engineering firm offering expertise in civil, mechanical, electrical and environmental engineering, construction, and program management. To date, the firm has completed over 300 projects. But that’s not all! Giving is a core principle of the company. It extends beyond its collective corporate social responsibility to the commitment of every single team member. Last year, staff contributed over 2,000 service hours to cause-related activities.

In 2012, Wilbur and his wife, Dawn, formalized their extensive community outreach and engagement and established Milhouse Charities to advance educational and mentoring opportunities for minorities and underrepresented youth. They are committed to supporting educational and community service programs everywhere they have engineering and construction projects, in the United States and worldwide. Presently in Africa, their efforts include digging wells to building a power plant at the University of Nigeria, at Nsukka. This effort will create sufficient power for the school, the surrounding community, and, eventually, the entire country.

Informed by his lived experiences, Milhouse credits his Uncle B and the father of a close childhood friend with giving him a sense of direction and the courage and fortitude to step into his purpose. Milhouse Charities does not stop at exposing students to careers in STEM; the organization enables their pursuits through mentorship and scholarships. Further, they offer a robust paid internship program that provides invaluable access and exposure to all aspects of the industry and the chance to work with top experts in their fields. The goal is to pave the way for these future leaders to build better places in the world.

Milhouse Engineering and Construction and Milhouse Charities are forces to be reckoned with, and their impact is felt in multiple charitable spaces. Beyond their primary focus on STEM and career development, they also support organizations working on affordable housing, food insecurity, cancer and youth development. Beneficiaries of their largesse include Polished Pebbles, Project Hood, Girls 4 Science, Special Olympics, Aero Star Aviation Institute, and the American Cancer Society.

The Milhouses like to pay it forward and say the give back is really to them, and they are energized by the results of their philanthropy and the joy of giving.

Courtesy of Derrick Rose

DERRICK ROSE

"You've got one job, and that is to get better."

Chicagoans have mad love for their native son, Derrick Rose. Even if he’s playing for an opposing team, when he’s introduced, the crowd goes wild, giving him a more boisterous welcome than anyone else on the floor. This Simeon Career Academy grad and former Chicago Bull loves his city right back.

Rose’s basketball career has taken him from Englewood to the world, and he has excelled at every turn. He led his high school team to back-to-back state titles. He led the University of Memphis Tigers to an NCAA championship. Derrick was NBA Rookie of the Year in 2009, was a three-time NBA All-Star, and was the youngest MVP ever in the league. His awards and honors are many, but not enough is known about the other ways in which he has set the standard for excellence.

Indeed, the basketball court isn’t the only place where Derrick has proven himself to be an MVP. He has quietly supported many causes that speak to his values – love for his neighborhood and the people who live there, education, sports and youth development. Like many professional basketball players, Rose’s charity began with NBA Cares-style programs, visiting hospitals and schools and granting wishes for ailing children through programs like the Make A Wish Foundation and Kids Wish Network. Soon they took on a more personal tone, particularly in his beloved Englewood, where he did everything from paying for funerals for victims of gun violence to sponsoring prevention programs designed to steer youth away from gangs and drugs. He sponsored a holiday party for youth from the Chicago Housing Authority, restored the gym floor at Murray Park where he got his start, built a food pantry, and donated to agencies working with at-risk youth.

Derrick sponsored The Safety Net Works late-night basketball league in Englewood. Designed for the 18- to 24-year-old demographic to keep young men in the gym and off the street, it included life skills training, mentoring and job readiness. The Englewood contingent had 10 teams with 10 players each, and the gyms became a safe haven for players and spectators. He also established the non-profit organization Team Rose, an AAU youth basketball program on Chicago’s West side. The program used the principles of sports – discipline, cooperation, conditioning and team building – to arm the participants with life skills and direction.

The philanthropic output of Derrick Rose has continued to grow through the establishment of the Derrick Rose Foundation, and giving back has been a consistent theme throughout his career. Rose gave a $1 million contribution to After School Matters, a citywide youth employment program that provides paid opportunities for participants to explore their interests while participating in world-class arts and education programs.

A longtime supporter of education and a funder of various scholarship programs, Derrick has recently fashioned a groundbreaking program designed to support promising students in need of financial assistance. Called Rose Scholars, he has seeded it with $400,000, intending to help high school students who are civic-minded and who already are practicing civic engagement. Although there are smaller awards, there is a grand prize of $200,000 for someone who has already demonstrated advanced leadership skills and great potential.

Derrick Rose wants youth to know that they are citizens of the world and that there are boundless opportunities before them to explore and achieve. Having been strongly impacted by his travel to Africa and always on the lookout for ways to create opportunities for Englewood youth, Rose decided to take 14 Simeon Career Academy basketball team members to Senegal. Enlisting two of his Bulls buddies, Joakim Noah and Luol Deng, to join the party, they embarked on this life-changing experience with the youth, who were able to learn and be inspired by their history and culture – something they will never forget.

Throughout his career, Derrick Rose has demonstrated that he is unstoppable. His career exemplifies what it means to overcome obstacles and stay in the race. Many have benefitted from his powerful example. Poverty did not stop him; injuries and physical setbacks have not stopped him. While some have characterized his recent basketball triumphs as a resurgence, they represent the other ‘R’ word: resilience.

We look forward to his continued successes, and he has told us what to expect from him moving forward— “The things I’m going to do after basketball are going to be bigger than what I do in basketball!” 

Let’s hope we have season tickets.

Photography by Tony Smith

LESLIE ANDERSON RUTLAND

Legacy Philanthropist

“My giving is rooted in my heritage.”

Leslie Anderson Rutland is the National Head of U.S. Wealth Management Customer and Employee Strategy for BMO US. The position is the latest in a long list of achievements that have characterized her stellar career in financial management. It also reflects her determination to do well in every aspect of her life, both personal and professional.

Anderson-Rutland received her bachelor’s degree in finance from the venerated Hampton University, an HBCU (Historically Black College and University) with a reputation for its progressive education in the field of Business. She earned her MBA degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

Most of Leslie’s stellar career has been at BMO Financial Group, where she has enjoyed a series of progressively responsible positions. She has advanced from local sales leader role to global technology accountabilities and now holds a leadership role within the U.S. wealth management group, which makes her somewhat of a unicorn in the financial services industry.

Underpinning Leslie’s rise professionally has been her deep commitment to values-based leadership and her strong responsibility to her community.  Her philosophy shines like a beacon in every aspect of her career, and it is clear that she is intentional about moving from “success to significance.” From her emergent days as a fellow with Leadership Greater Chicago to her selection as a Chicago United Business Leader of Color and her fellow selection with the highly esteemed Aspen Global Leadership Network, she has distinguished herself by her competence and character. She has been lauded for bringing integrity, intention and innovation to the workplace, and that intentional approach is experienced by every organization she supports.

Leslie has used every major event and circumstance in her life as the impetus to give to others. Even her wedding became a vehicle for charitable expression. On that happy occasion, she requested in lieu of gifts that her celebrants donate to a nonprofit she was supporting – The Cleveland Area Foundation for Education (CAFÉ). Founded by friends and fellow philanthropists Liz and Don Thompson, The CAFÉ Group helps young people discover the greatness within and mentors youth and adults to drive impact and achieve success.

When Leslie was diagnosed with breast cancer, she turned a trial into a triumph. It was quite a blow, seemingly coming out of nowhere when everything was going so well. Furthermore, it struck during the throes of the COVID pandemic and the racial tensions from the murder of George Floyd. But Leslie had a storehouse of assets to bring her through, the top of which was her abiding faith and her church family, and she was well anchored to fight the good fight. Warrior Queen that she is, she is now an outspoken advocate for women who are battling with the disease and a contributor to organizations that support the cause.

Both of Leslie’s Caribbean-born parents were educators and have been a driving force in her life. She is active on several boards, many of which are dedicated to educational access and achievement, bridging the racial equity divide, and building wealth – 1871, The CAFE (Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education) Group, One Goal and Chicago State University.

 

Chicago State University pushes all the buttons for Leslie – education, African American generational wealth building, and strong, principled leadership. She pours her talent, resources and network into supporting transformational change that is occurring at what she calls “Chicago’s HBCU.”

Her dedication and her amazing resilience are an inspiration to us all.

Photography by Tony Smith

DION DAWSON

Emerging Philanthropist

“I only answer to the people.”

When Dion Dawson sees a need, he doesn’t just shake his head and lament; he makes moves and does something about it. He is compelled by his love for his people and his community, and he is informed by his lived experiences growing up in impoverished circumstances.

When you have stood in the rain with your family for hours waiting for food, and by the time you get to the head of the line, all that’s left is a few expired cans of food and a box of raisins, you know first-hand the disappointment, anger and frustration of the hungry. If you have invited your friends to your house after school and when you get there, the sheriff is evicting your family, no one has to tell you how it feels to be homeless; you still remember.

No doubt, Dion is not the only person to have survived homelessness, hunger, the trauma of familial drug addiction, gangs and violence. But he has used those memories to create new service delivery models and stimulate policy changes that will reinvent how social services are delivered from this point on.

Dion’s Chicago Dream started with a bold idea to cultivate financial, physical and emotional stability for Chicagoland residents by stabilizing community access to fresh produce and combating food apartheid. Within this framework, three objectives emerged:

  1. Feed families with fresh, quality produce delivered directly to their door.
  2. Create community by establishing a network of volunteers, partners and residents organized to maintain well-stocked Dream Fridges with 24-hour access to food when needed, no questions asked.
  3. Fuel hope by demonstrating that help is available whenever needed, relieving people of the burden of not knowing where their next meal is coming from, and connecting them to other vital resources.

The essential ingredient to the Dream’s approach is to treat people with dignity and loving care – no standing in long lines, no out-of-date spoiled food and unlabeled cans, no paperwork, and no endless questions.

Dion’s Chicago Dream has the audacity to focus on the user experience. Customer satisfaction is key, and the receiver is encouraged to give feedback, express preferences and provide input. In Dion’s world, the people are the barometer by which success is measured. Further, the Dream Team doesn’t deliver just anything; they deliver the right thing. The food is healthy, nutritious, non-processed, fresh and plentiful. Each delivery provides enough food for an entire week.

Dion’s is definitely not a dream deferred, and is wide awake! The impact of this innovative response to pervasive food insecurity in Chicago has been swift and robust. Nearly 90,000 family servings have been provided in just over two years, and over 300,000 pounds of food have been distributed. Families are being served all over the city, and new partners are coming on board. Most recently, socially conscious Chicago artist G Herbo became a collaborator and promised to put his influence and resources to work to keep the Dream alive.

Just as he served his country with dedication and honor for six years in the U.S. Navy, Dion Dawson brings that warrior spirit to neighborhoods all over Chicago, fighting for equity and justice on the urban battlefield. His corps of committed volunteers intend to leave no resident behind. Aware that disparities and deprivation lead to despair and depression, Dion’s Dream Team is now preparing to address PTSD that inflicts the battle-scarred residents of embattled communities by providing therapy and related mental health services. 

He intends to feed the mind, body and soul.

Photography by Tony Smith

JAHKIL NAAEM JACKSON

Youth Philanthropist

“Don’t wait to be great!”

The origin of Jahkil Jackson’s passion for giving is accompanying family members to feed the homeless. Witnessing the many other things people needed inspired the 8-year-old to create “Blessing Bags.” These bags are filled with essentials, such as wipes, socks, deodorant, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, toothpaste, granola bars and more. They are distributed throughout the year, not just during the holiday season.

Since the start of this endeavor, Jahkil has touched the lives of over 60,000 men, women and children worldwide and has established a non-profit organization, Project I Am, whose mission is to raise awareness about homelessness. From an initial team of family and friends, his network has expanded to include like-minded youth and adults worldwide who want to follow his powerful example and tackle this major societal challenge. His reach has grown to support orphans in Swaziland and Ghana, volcano victims in Guatemala, and hurricane victims in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico. 

Jahkil has been cited and received awards from numerous organizations for his outstanding achievements: Youth Ambassador, Heartland Alliance; WE International Youth Board; BET’s 15 Under 15; and KidBox Youth Board. In 2017, he was recognized by President Barack Obama as one of the three most influential people of the year. Citing him as the kind of young role model they wanted to be associated with their company, GAP selected him to be part of their 2021 NexGenGap advertising campaign. Other companies have followed suit, opening up career paths for Jahkil as a model, spokesperson, motivational speaker and social entrepreneur.

Despite the attention he has earned and the demand for his time and talent, Jahkil is equally dedicated to being an excellent student, role model and basketball player at the famed De La Salle High School on Chicago’s South Side. His message to his peers is one of engagement and immediacy, encouraging them to be active agents of change and positivity in his latest book, Don’t Wait To Be Great – and he is taking his own advice. He is poised to take his fight for the homeless to the next level as he explores the Tiny Homes Movement, where he will, undoubtedly, break new ground.

Good work, Jahkil – we can’t wait to see what you do next!

Photography by Tony Smith

JANELL NELSON

Hidden Philanthropist

"We can change the perception of what constitutes a 'good' neighborhood with communal creative interactions – using tools like graphic design, murals and just art in general to spotlight the beauty of areas and people who’ve historically been undervalued.”

Janell Nelson makes things happen. A graphic designer, strategist and thought leader, she doesn’t just dream a world but creates one. A co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective (EAC), her activations are transformative for Chicago neighborhoods caught in the act of reinvention.

Born in Englewood, Janell’s interest in the arts was amplified by arts programs at Whitney Young High School, Marwen and Chicago’s celebrated Gallery 37. Subsequently, she earned a degree in design graphics from the University of Illinois. During her matriculation, she secured an internship at an educational publishing house, and that exposure paved the way for her career development. Excelling in the industry, Nelson established her successful firm – JNJ Creative – providing graphic design and visual communications consulting services for various non-profit clients and public-serving entities.

A creative force who devotes her talent, skill and heart toward enacting equitable change, her mission is to “design for good.” Her award-winning graphic design has been the not-so-secret sauce behind many philanthropic and equity-focused initiatives in Chicago and nationwide. Janell is a mentor to design students and a consultant to many, with years of experience going above and beyond for non-profits and changemakers to deliver their public-serving missions in beautiful ways.

However, Janell Nelson’s true passion is reflected in the title of a recent pop-up she organized on the South side when invited as guests of a Chamber there – “Home Is Where the ART Lives.” Recognizing the power of art as a tool for neighborhood revitalization, and inspired to make a tangible contribution to the arts community, she organized individual and collective action to do just that. The result is a collaboration of homegrown talent intent on using innovation and creativity to shift misperceptions.

The Englewood Arts Collective is on a mission “to reflect the beauty of, enrich the community within, and help produce events and interactions that positively reflect the community where they grew up and those like it – reframing the mainstream narrative from the inside, out.” Co-founder Janell sees the arts as a conduit for change, and artists as leaders to influence healing and showcase authentic positivity.

This empowerment movement was boosted by a $35,000 peer philanthropy regranting initiative spearheaded by Janell through EAC and the city’s Artist Response Program, titled United Still, which was redistributed to 10 artists, who received $3,500 each to implement projects in the South Side. United Still originally existed as a mutual-aid campaign, and still happens today through EAC as part of their artist-to-artist mutual-aid efforts.

Englewood is vibrating with the energy of colorful public art catalyzed by the work of Janell Nelson, director of activations for EAC. Indeed, nowhere is it more evident than on the neighborhood’s gateway mural – “Our Englewood” – designed by the Janell with images from the Collective, painted by community volunteers, and embellished with three words that aptly describe Janell – vibrant, proud, strong!

Photography by Tony Smith

ESSENCE SMITH

Young Adult Philanthropist

“My life looks nothing like I ever imagined or planned for. If I had stuck to my own vision, I would be nowhere near where I am today.”

Essence Smith is a woman of many interests and talents who trusts both her head and her heart as she pursues her goals in life. A Chicago native, she is devoted to the city and its people, especially the youth. Her major influences are family and faith. Watching her grandfather, a well-known attorney, gave her a sense of who she was. Growing up with her parents gave her a sense of what she could do. They made sure she had access to vital resources, no matter where she had to go to get them, as disparities and disinvestment in her own neighborhood limited her choices. No doubt, those exemplars and experiences informed her zeal to fight for social justice and equity.

Essence studied sociology and pre-law at the University of Illinois, and upon graduation utilized her knowledge of culture and social behavior to embark upon a successful career in marketing. Her work with major brands includes Wilson Sporting Goods, Ketel One Botanical, The DuSable Museum and Lululemon. With those experiences under her belt, and a mindset that supports her ability to go with the spirit, Smith was more than willing to join the SocialWorks team when the opportunity presented itself.

Founded by Grammy-award winner Chance The Rapper, her friend and fellow You-Media alum, SocialWorks is a non-profit that aims to empower youth through the arts, education and civic engagement. The youth are taught to see their beauty and pursue their goals with confidence and vigor. They are NOT taught to be recipients who must rely on someone else to make their world. In fact, they learn to be givers, as well, participating in community service.

It is the creativity and organizational acumen of Essence Smith that shapes and implements many of the programs and special events that makes SocialWorks so impactful. During the height of the pandemic, she developed a campaign called “SocialWorks for Social Distancing.” Other key initiatives include: “Open Mike,” a space for high schoolers to share, express and network; “Warmest Winter,” relief for the homeless; and “My State of Mind,” a digital tool to help youth access mental wellness information and services.

One might think that after all that, Essence would have no energy for anything else.  On the contrary, she finds a way to use all her gifts. An accomplished tennis player, she’s started a tennis club, powered by Wilson Sporting Goods, to help diversify the sport, with plans to reclaim all those abandoned tennis courts in inner-city parks. She’s entrepreneurial and an advocate for Black women. So, what does she do – she starts a clothing brand called “Black Women Are Essential” (BWAE). Gaining a reputation as a producer of innovative and successful events, Smith branched out and founded ELMS Event Planning and Production. What do all these things have in common? Empowerment and advocacy for Black women and youth.

 

Essence Lauren Smith has been described as a multi-hyphenate creative entrepreneur whose focus is “to fuse brand partnerships with cultural moments through the lens of event production, project management, consumer engagement and community programming.” From the look of things, she’s going to need a lot more hyphens!