This is a professional headshot of Nissa smiling, photographed against a neutral gray background. She's wearing a dark-colored sleeveless top or dress. The image includes branding elements for an awards program: a red rectangular logo in the bottom right corner featuring a white star and the text "LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO," followed by "2025 awardees" in white text. Below this, the name "Nissa Rhee" appears in large white letters, with "Borderless Magazine" credited underneath in smaller text.

Meet Nissa Rhee, Cofounder & Executive Director of
@borderlessmag.bsky.social, a nonprofit and nonpartisan news outlet reimagining immigration journalism. Along with
@macfound.org, we celebrate Nissa as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. #community #powerbuilding #philanthropy #chicago 1/

Professional headshot of Andrea Ortiz smiling. She is wearing a light-colored blouse and is posed against a sepia-toned background featuring decorative patterns. The image includes the "Leaders for a New Chicago 2025 awardees" logo in red and white, with her name "Andrea Ortiz" and "Brighton Park Neighborhood Council" prominently displayed in white text at the bottom.

Meet Andrea Ortiz, a community champion whose organizing approach has bridged grassroots activism with policy change, ensuring marginalized communities have the power & resources to shape their future. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Andrea as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

This is a professional headshot of Dave. He has a slight smile and is wearing a white collared shirt. The image has a warm, sepia-toned treatment that gives it a distinguished, formal appearance. The photograph is branded as part of the "Leaders for a New Chicago 2025 awardees" series, indicated by a red logo in the lower right corner featuring a white star. Below the portrait, white text identifies "Dave Spencer" and "American Indian Center.”

Meet Dave Spencer, Co-Executive Director of the American Indian Center, which provides cultural, social & educational services to Chicago's large and diverse Native community. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Dave as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

This is a headshot of Alice smiling against a blurred brick wall background. The graphic includes branding elements in the lower portion: a red rectangular logo with a white star and the text "LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO" alongside "2025 awardees" in large white text. Below this, the name "Alice Kim" appears prominently in bold white letters, followed by "Beyond Prisons Initiative" in smaller white text, indicating her organizational affiliation.

Meet Alice Kim, Founding Director of Beyond Prisons Initiative at the Center for the Study of Race, Politics & Culture. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Alice as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

#organizing #community #powerbuilding #philanthropy #chicago

Local advocates for criminal justice and mental health care reforms named Leaders for a New Chicago An activist for mental health care access and an educator championing criminal justice reform are two of this year’s Leaders for a New Chicago.

Excellent story in the Hyde Park Herald on the contributions of Alice Kim & Cheryl Miller—two 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardees who are redefining civic leadership & reimagining our city's future. @macfound.org bit.ly/45CQDip

#community #organizing #powerbuilding #philanthropy

Along with @macfound, we celebrate Cheryl as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee.

Cheryl is a lifelong activist & organizer who has brought deep commitment & compassion to those in need. She spent 25 years as a Chicago cab driver & organized fellow drivers for labor rights. 2/

This is a professional portrait photograph of Enneréssa LaNette Davis with long braided hair styled to one side. She is photographed against a neutral background with dramatic lighting that creates an elegant, artistic effect. The image includes branding elements in the lower portion: a red rectangular logo reading "LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO" with a white star, followed by "2025 awardees" in white text. Below this, the name "Enneréssa LaNette Davis" appears in large white letters, with "Praize Productions, Inc." listed underneath in smaller text.

Meet Enneréssa LaNette Davis, Founder & CEO of Praize Productions, Inc., an influential dance & performance arts company in Chicago that creates meaningful opportunities to amplify underrepresented voices. Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Enneréssa as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Professional portrait of Jhmira Alexander. Jhmira is smiling, wearing hoop earrings and a chain necklace. She is photographed against a soft, neutral background. The image uses a sepia/monochromatic filter. The graphic design includes a bold red rectangular badge in the lower right corner with "LEADERS FOR A NEW CHICAGO" in white text, accompanied by a white star icon. Below this, "2025 awardees" appears in large white text. Jhmira's name "Jhmira Alexander" is prominently displayed in large white text at the bottom, with "Public Narrative" in smaller text underneath, identifying her organization.

Meet Jhmira Alexander, President & Executive Director of Public Narrative, a media resource nonprofit and steward of the Chicago Independent Media Alliance (#CIMA). Along with @macfound.org, we celebrate Jhmira as a 2025 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee. 1/

Scheherazade Tillet - Fellowships in Art - The Gordon Parks Foundation The Gordon Parks Foundation permanently preserves the work of Gordon Parks, makes it available to the public through exhibitions, books, and electronic media and supports artistic and educational acti...

Congrats to Scheherazade Tillet, Co-Founder & Executive Director of A Long Walk Home, on receiving The Gordon Parks Foundation Fellowship in Art.

Recognized as a #LeadersForANewChicago awardee in 2022, Scheherazade uses art to empower girls & young women.

Learn more about her work: bit.ly/3SoZPz0

Mahalia Mile: Oasis on the 9 By Emma Young – South Side Drive Magazine

Under Nedra Sims Fears' leadership, the Greater Chatham Initiative created Mahalia's Mile, a state-designated cultural district on 79th St., bustling with art, dining, & local businesses. We celebrate Nedra as a 2024 #LeadersForANewChicago awardee.

Read more about Mahalia's Mile: bit.ly/4myIBx3

⏰ Last call! Nominations for the 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago Award, our partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, are due this Friday, 2/28. Learn more & check eligibility here: bit.ly/3SioqEW #LeadersForANewChicago #community #powerbuilding #philanthropy

Friendly reminder: Nominations for the 2025 Leaders for a New Chicago Award are due Feb 28. Learn more & check eligibility here: bit.ly/3SioqEW @macfound #LeadersForANewChicago #community #philanthropy