NACD Chicago Chapter’s Post

The power of arts education in shaping our future cannot be overstated. According to Americans for the Arts, access to quality arts education is crucial for students' success both in school and in life. Key benefits of arts education include: • Enhanced problem-solving skills • Improved collaboration and creativity • Increased student motivation and engagement • Better overall school performance and attendance Despite these clear advantages, many students still lack access to comprehensive arts programs. As business leaders, we have the opportunity to make a difference. Organizations like North Carolina Arts in Action are working to bring arts education to all students. By investing in such initiatives, we can help ensure the next generation receives a well-rounded education that includes the arts. Let's work together to create a future where every child has the chance to explore their creative potential and develop essential skills for success. What steps can your organization take to support arts education in your community?#ArtsEducation #StudentSuccess #CommunityInvestment 

It's been an incredible journey since our inception four years ago, as our team has tirelessly designed and executed impactful programs within our community. Today, we're introducing the newly reimagined Social Change Fund United (SCFU)! While our commitment to underserved communities of color remains unwavering, we're shifting gears to prioritize economic sustainability as a cornerstone of our mission. 🔍 Vision: Collectively empower and drive impact by championing equity in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation for Black and Brown communities. 🎯 Mission: Collectively empower and drive impact by championing equity in entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation for Black and Brown communities. Our renewed focus brings forth four key initiatives: 1️⃣ SCFU Legacy: Providing funding and resources to Black and Brown-owned small businesses to fuel their growth. 2️⃣ SCFU We Got Next: Equipping Black and Brown youth with entrepreneurial skills to become the next generation of business leaders. 3️⃣ SCFU Rebound: Offering opportunities and support for justice-involved individuals to reenter the workforce. 4️⃣ SCFU Champion: Increasing voter turnout and engagement, particularly during crucial election cycles. #ItTakesAVillage

To my district and school leader friends: as you start to think of your back-to-school plan around attendance, remember that Attendanceworks.org has many free resources to set us up for success! Here is a handout on Step One: How to Organize an Effective School Team to Improve Attendance. https://lnkd.in/gsH6cAxt

🌟MOPS International: Equipping & Empowering Moms of All Ages w/ Jesus at the Front🌟 Karla Merrell is the Southeast network manager with MOPS International and shares some amazing updates about MOPS, now known as MomCo, and how they are equipping and empowering moms of all ages with Jesus at the forefront. Here are the key takeaways: 🌸 MOPS (MomCo) is Evolving: After 50 impactful years, MOPS International is rebranding as MomCo to better reflect its mission of supporting mothers beyond the preschool years. This change aims to serve mothers at every stage of motherhood, offering a community focused on spiritual growth and leadership empowerment. 🙏 Embracing Every Mom: MomCo provides a welcoming space for moms to connect, grow spiritually, and develop as leaders. The organization's focus on community, peer-to-peer interaction, and discussions centered on faith offers mothers a place to belong and find the support they need, no matter what stage of motherhood they're in. 🌼 Impacting Families and Generations: Through MomCo's programs, mothers not only find support and encouragement but also have the opportunity to influence their children's spiritual journey. Engaging with MomCo not only enriches the lives of mothers but has a positive ripple effect, impacting families and future generations. Let's support and empower mothers as they raise strong Christian kids! https://lnkd.in/eQbXdWEG

We believe that true heroes are often the ones who don’t make it to the headlines. As we approach the annual Amandla Awards Night, we are calling on you, our community, to help us recognize and celebrate the individuals who make a profound impact on our lives and communities, often behind the scenes. Nominate Someone Today! Do you know someone who fits this description? If so, we invite you to nominate them for one of our prestigious Amandla Awards: Community Champion Award: For those who tirelessly support our community with their strength and resources. Ken & Iris Flamer Service Award: For individuals or groups standing up against injustice. Eleanor Toliver Distinguished Leader Award: For leaders advocating for young children and families. Our Children’s Champion Award: For those showing a steadfast commitment to improving the well-being of Black and brown families. Young Afro Genius Award: For young leaders who are making significant impacts through innovative service and leadership. How to Nominate: 1)Visit Our Nomination Page: https://lnkd.in/e3ac5QPW 2)Fill out the form with details about your nominee and why they deserve the award. 3)Submit your nomination by 5:00pm May 3rd, 2024. Your nominations not only honor the nominees but also shine a light on the incredible work being done in our community that might otherwise go unnoticed. #TogetherWeWill #AmandlaAwards #PowerOfCommunity #CelebrateUnity #CommunityChampions #CharlotteEvents

Chris V. Rey, J.D. displays the passion and genuine nature of an authentic leader in this video where he shows the vandalism at Barber Scotia College, an HBCU he was tapped to resurrect. As a leadership expert, I'm completely aware of how difficult it can be to display vulnerability and articulate utter frustration. His unadulterated exhibition shows he cares and leads with passion and conviction. Oftentimes, leaders are imaged as being stoic and resolute and without emotion. The truth is leadership requires a high emotional intelligence IQ (EQ) and empathy for those you lead most especially when those you lead are not necessarily an actualized entity yet. Leadership is not for the faint at heart. If you are able, please consider donating to Barber Scotia College at https://lnkd.in/gPF-kGzk. For help with your leadership and organizational development, please visit Finer Consulting Services at https://lnkd.in/gGf9wFUw. You can also learn more about leadership and organizational development in my book The Black American Church: Leadership Dispensation and Challenges available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target, Walmart, and other online retailers. #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #organizationaldevelopment #leadershipeffectiveness #leadershipexpert #organizationaleffectiveness

Please consider joining us Monday evening (June 10, 5–7 p.m.) at Merriment Social for a big conversation about the performing arts in Milwaukee. Complimentary appetizers and cash bar. Technically, this is about policy, but it's also about what is needed to sustain a vibrant arts community. Elaine Schmidt and I co-researched and co-authored a Wisconsin Policy Forum report with WPF President Rob Henken (see link to the report, Curtain Time, within the below invitation). The report is the impetus for the event. It explores the sector's sustainability, looks at critical decisions on the horizon, and highlights what's working in other cities. Please register through the link below so the WPF has a headcount. #PerformingArts #Nonprofit #Philanthropy #WisconsinPolicyForum

Unification is the key to succeeding today & erasing the blurred lines of how some operations used to be, learning to pivot, be creative & work as a collective to push forward on all fronts while recognizing what’s been accomplished in the past. It’s great to hear the leadership at the top understands beneficial collaborations are part of the conversation. Focused Forward!

Proud NeuDICE moment! 🐥 It's been over a year since Amerie Rose introduced me to Tony through Plymouth Social Enterprise Network. Today he knocked on the window of Shed 752 at The Plot and held up this photo of his workshop! Tony is a Living Lab member and has been regularly joining our monthly sessions at Nudge Community Builders' Union Corner. Living Labs are a space where neurodivergent people's lived experience is listened to, believed, and given enough time and space for action to happen. During our labs problems are shared, solutions considered but neuronormative expectations are diffused. Tony's problem: get a supply of pallets to the workshop. NeuDICE community solution: monthly labs and weekly Tuesday check-ins carefully balanced expectations and accountability. Excited to see Tony's workshop develop in 2025!

This segment from last week's Netroots Nation, featuring Dr. Kimberle Crenshaw, Keith Ellison, Justin Jones and Tim Wise is worth listening to if you get a minute. Maybe on the drive in or something. If you missed it, here's the description... "Building on last year’s featured session, “First They Came for CRT…,” this plenary reminds us why we cannot remain silent as extremists scapegoat marginalized groups for our country’s problems. After banning Critical Race Theory and discussions of structural racism in nearly half the states and emboldened by a deeply regressive Supreme Court’s SFFA ruling on race-conscious admissions, backlash architects seek to eliminate the most basic diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. They aim not only to upend the entire infrastructure of civil rights but also to entrench white Christian nationalist heteropatriarchy. This plenary analyzes how we can wage a robust fight for racial justice, and why we must, in order to save our democracy."