This spring, the Chinese American Museum of Chicago (CAMOC) will launch the Spotlight Series, a new initiative to showcase recent and past work by emerging and mid-career artists of Chinese descent locally. Curated by Larry Lee (Molar Productions), the project aims to introduce, promote and celebrate the divergent artistic visions and experiences of being Chinese […]
Dive into the history of Swedish immigration to Chicago with a guided tour of the Swedish American Museum’s permanent exhibit, “The Dream of America.” Uncover the stories of real immigrants like Karl Karlsson, who left Sweden with his family in 1893, or Elin and Birgitta Hedman, who made the journey in 1924. Learn about what […]
On the Sunday before Transgender Day of Visibility, join us to celebrate LGBT+ culture with "Voices of the Proud: LGBT+ Composers"! The program features the beauty, love, grief, playfulness, creativity, and pride of music by LGBT+ artists chosen from a call for submissions. This event will be broadcast live on the Crossing Borders Music Facebook […]
Join us as we celebrate Greek Independence Day with a special event for children ages 5-12. We will hear the story of how Greece gained it's freedom from the Ottoman Empire and then participate in a related activity. Parents can enjoy some time in Greek Town with a discount coupon at a Greek Town restaurant.
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
Need a night out, but don’t know what to do with the kids? DANK has you covered! Join us on Thursday, March 31 from 6-8 pm for a parent's night out. We will provide childcare and fun, enriching activities at the Haus for your kids, while you get to enjoy drinks, dinner, and the view of the […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
The Irish American Heritage Center, in partnership with the Consulate General of Ireland, Midwest, presents Irish Art in Practice. Join Jennifer Keating, Ph.D. as she brings us through the world of Irish arts and artists, and the living applications and impressions it makes on the world around us. Jennifer Keating is a Senior Lecturer and […]
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
A fundraising event honoring the brave people of Ukraine from Chicago’s legendary musicians. About this event Performances by: Orbert Davis, trumpet Lynne Jordan, vocals Leandro Lopez Varady, piano Olha Tsvyntarna, vocals Marlene Rosenberg, base Raymond Glower, piano Ivan Shmilo, bandura Mike Jackson, saxophone Stephen Eisen, trumpet Josh Ross, percussion Trioda, vocals & more! Additional […]
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
Pysanka Workshops at the Ukrainian National Museum We are excited to once again announce the Pysanky (Easter Egg) Workshops at the Ukrainian National Museum. This year we offer in-person classes. You will discover the art of writing pysanky by our expert Pysanka Instructor Anna Chychula. In each session, you will learn the process of how […]
Topic: The Council, the Union and the ‘Patriot’: The Scottish Privy Council, Anglo-Scottish, Union and Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun Presenter: Alastair J. Mann, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of History, University of Stirling, Scotland This event is complimentary. To attend, please RSVP below or email [email protected].
Scandinavian Jam, where we practice what we teach. Join Mary Allsopp and Paul Tyler online on the first and third Sunday of every month. Enjoy an afternoon of traditional roots music. We teach by ear, review and share tunes. We are happy to take suggestions and love meeting new people. It’s a friendly group and […]
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
New Nordic Cuisine is currently on display at the Swedish American Museum. In this virtual talk we get to meet with Tova Brandt who is the Executive Director of the Museum of Danish America in Iowa. The Museum of Danish American curated the exhibit. About the exhibit: The cooking traditions and innovations of the Nordic […]
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
DANK Haus hosts a gemütliche chat online every Thursday at 5:30pm, with German speakers at every level welcome. We will be talking about "Gott und die Welt", and this Klatsch will be moderated by a friendly and enthusiastic German speaker. Please RSVP to receive the online link. This link can be used every week. https://dankhaus.com/event-4475997 […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Comienza con una semilla, crece hasta convertirse en árboles y brotan hojas. ¡Estos organismos que dan vida vienen en muchas variedades diferentes, y algunas de las cuales son exclusivas de nuestras áreas circundantes! ¡Únase a nosotros mientras exploramos más sobre arboles, hojas y semillas con nuestros amigos en Lincoln Park Zoo! Conéctate aquí: https://bit.ly/ArtecitoArboles ____________________________________ It […]
The Korean Cultural Center of Chicago is pleased to present FOUNDATION, a group exhibition curated by Dabin Ahn, bringing together a group of emerging artists, FOUNDATION hopes to offer experience of identifying how each artist structures their practice by employing as its foundation. Opening Reception Friday, March 12, 2pm
Please join us as we read the ancient tale of Odysseus’ journey home from war. Like him, each of us is also adjusting to new circumstances in our lives as we emerge from the pandemic. What better way to begin our journey home together? Each reader will be assigned a specific passage that is approximately 3 […]
The Pretzel Blitz is back! We are hosting 5 pretzel making classes in April. Why? We LOVE pretzels! These pretzel-making classes will be offered in-person. We will host up to 20 students in our industrial kitchen at the DANK Haus. These 20 students will get hands on training from Reinhard Richter, our resident Pretzel Meister, […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Pysanka Workshops at the Ukrainian National Museum We are excited to once again announce the Pysanky (Easter Egg) Workshops at the Ukrainian National Museum. This year we offer in-person classes. You will discover the art of writing pysanky by our expert Pysanka Instructor Anna Chychula. In each session, you will learn the process of how […]
Easter is on its way. Get in the spirit by learning the intricate art of making Pisanki – Polish egg decorating, with instructor Christine Frankowicz-Burd, on Saturday, April 9, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The workshop will be held in the PRCUA Social Hall on the first floor. This year’s event is co-sponsored by […]
Please join us as we read the ancient tale of Odysseus’ journey home from war. Like him, each of us is also adjusting to new circumstances in our lives as we emerge from the pandemic. What better way to begin our journey home together? Each reader will be assigned a specific passage that is approximately 3 […]
"First Blacks Chicago" is a celebration of Black Chicago trailblazers! "First Blacks Chicago" was created by the Haitian American Museum of Chicago (HAMOC), and in 2019 HAMOC invited Crossing Borders Music's participation in this ongoing historic project. Be among the first people to hear "Ogou Wa dè Zanj," ("Ogou, King of Angels"), a new piece […]
This is part of NIAM's series of programs for E/Merge: Art of the Indian Diaspora. Using very different materials, processes, forms, and strategies, artists Sarika Goulatia, Rit Premnath, and Kaveri Raina each considers and depicts dualities in their works. Moderator Ambika Trasi will lead the artists in a discussion of their interpretations of the dualities […]
Join HAMOC and SAMDI for an artist talk and Q&A. About this event SAMDI is a contemporary Haïtian artist based in Miami. His work, described by the artist as Sen Soley. Painting from a rhythm. A space where self is looking inwards and possibilities are endless. His work consists of cubist style portraits and a […]
Get ready for Easter at the Swedish American Museum’s craft evening. Learn some Swedish traditions and create some beautiful decorations. This event is for adults and children 12 and over. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for non members. Prepaid reservations are required to attend the event. No refund within five days of event.
Join PRAA for a special music event with Roy McGrath, a Chicago based tenor saxophonist, composer and bandleader. Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico and educated in Boston, New Orleans and Chicago, Roy brings to bear these diverse influences in his playing and composing. In addition to leading and recording with his own […]
The Ukrainian National Museum invites you to a presentation on ancient civilizations by scholar Marilyn Hrymak. Learn about the mysteries of the Trypillia civilization, who existed from 7500 to 3500 BC, before the Sumerians and Egyptians, with no evidence of military weapons. Hrymak's presentation will describe the life, art and Goddess religion of these egalitarian […]
DANK Haus hosts a gemütliche chat online every Thursday at 5:30pm, with German speakers at every level welcome. We will be talking about "Gott und die Welt", and this Klatsch will be moderated by a friendly and enthusiastic German speaker. Please RSVP to receive the online link. This link can be used every week. https://dankhaus.com/event-4475997 […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Come enjoy a beverage with a spectacular view from our Skyline Lounge & Terrace. A perfect place to meet your neighbors and socialize. Each 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month from 7-11 PM. Proceeds support the DANK Haus Museum April 14, 2022 -- FEAT. CONGRESSMAN QUIGLEY
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
The Pretzel Blitz is back! We are hosting 5 pretzel making classes in April. Why? We LOVE pretzels! These pretzel-making classes will be offered in-person. We will host up to 20 students in our industrial kitchen at the DANK Haus. These 20 students will get hands on training from Reinhard Richter, our resident Pretzel Meister, […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
This exhibition positions SSCAC as an important anchor for Black LGBTQ artists who belonged to its community. About this event We invite you to come out and celebrate the opening of EMERGENCE: Intersections at the Center! EMERGENCE highlights The South Side Community Art Center’s historical role in supporting a full spectrum of Black artists through an intersectional […]
Friday April 15th is a night of fun at our Open Haus! This month’s theme is spring (Frühling in German)! We will have German Bier on tap and food for purchase! Our Open Haus is a great way to meet new friends, or bring your friends and introduce them to the Haus! This event is […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Produced by the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago, the 38th Chicago Latino Film Festival, April 21st-May 1st, will showcase films from all over Latin America, Spain, Portugal and the United States. The Festival will once again adopt a hybrid format with in-person screenings at the Landmark Century Center, 2828 N. Clark St., several Drive-In presentations at ChiTown Movies, […]
Intuit partners with Weinberg/Newton Gallery to host a special edition of Art After Work in celebration of Earth Day. About this event Join Intuit for Art After Work, a free series of facilitated art-making workshops. This month, Intuit is partnering with our neighbor Weinberg/Newton Gallery to host a special edition of Art After Work in […]
Organizers: Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
DANK Haus hosts a gemütliche chat online every Thursday at 5:30pm, with German speakers at every level welcome. We will be talking about "Gott und die Welt", and this Klatsch will be moderated by a friendly and enthusiastic German speaker. Please RSVP to receive the online link. This link can be used every week. https://dankhaus.com/event-4475997 […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Artecito is a Spanish-language workshop for families presented in partnership between OPEN Center for the Arts and Lincoln Park Zoo Las selvas tropicales tiene un ecosistema muy diverso, la selva tropical es el hogar de más de la mitad de las plantas y animales del planeta, aunque la selva tropical solo cubre alrededor del 6% […]
Join us at the Museum for a fika in our spring pop-up café! It will be open from April 22nd - 24th @ 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. If the weather permits we will open the seating in our Courtyard in addition to the Main Gallery.
German artist Beate Axmann’s concept "Sicht.Verrückt" translates roughly to gaze, shifted. It is a directive to look not once, not twice, but thrice, even four times. In today's atmosphere of rising extremism and polemics (in Germany and abroad), it is critical to shift one’s gaze––to look at issues from multiple angles. Sichtverrückt is the overarching theme […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
The Pretzel Blitz is back! We are hosting 5 pretzel making classes in April. Why? We LOVE pretzels! These pretzel-making classes will be offered in-person. We will host up to 20 students in our industrial kitchen at the DANK Haus. These 20 students will get hands on training from Reinhard Richter, our resident Pretzel Meister, […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Join us at the Museum for a fika in our spring pop-up café! It will be open from April 22nd - 24th @ 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. If the weather permits we will open the seating in our Courtyard in addition to the Main Gallery.
The Bridge to Native Chicago Members of RedLine, a local Chicago Native American Drum group, and interdisciplinary artist Ronnie Preston (San Carlos Apache), along with jazz musicians from France, collectively known as The Bridge, will be the featured musicians for this unique collaboration. The Bridge intends to form a network for exchange, production, and diffusion, […]
Join us for 2 Saturday a month for a German language film screening! Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee & cakes) will be served at 12:00 PM and the film will begin at 1:00 PM. Stick around after the credits roll to discuss the film and flex your German language skills. THIS WEEK'S FILM: Die lustige Witwe* […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Join us at the Museum for a fika in our spring pop-up café! It will be open from April 22nd - 24th @ 11 A.M. to 3 P.M. If the weather permits we will open the seating in our Courtyard in addition to the Main Gallery.
Spring Luncheon & Fundraiser of the Women's Guild of the Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture: Magic show, Craft Fair + Lithuanian Cuisine! About this event Please join the Women's Guild for an afternoon of "Magic Moments" at our annual spring luncheon and fundraiser. Enjoy a spectacular magic show, artisan crafts, delicious Lithuanian cuisine, live music, […]
Join is virtually for our Earth Week Activities! About this event In celebration of Earth Day and Earth Week, join us for a virtual screening of the film Inhabitants. You can view the film at your leisure anytime between April 22-29th, 2022. Be sure to join us on Sunday, April 24th at 7:00pm for a panel discussion […]
Organizers: Mitchell Museum of the American Indian
Join us for another cooking class series either online or in person. In April we will be making crepes. For the online class you will receive the recipe in advance. You can then either cook alongside or watch and try later. It is an interactive Zoom so you will be able to ask questions. The […]
Join us for another cooking class series either online or in person. In April we will be making Swedish crepes. For the online class you will receive the recipe in advance. You can then either cook alongside or watch and try later. It is an interactive Zoom so you will be able to ask questions. […]
Conceived by Ira Antelis, hosted by Rabbi Shoshanah Conover, and produced by David Mendelson along with Ira Antelis and Jeremy Perlin, the concert will honor the memory of those who were murdered and highlight the artists and writers who, in the worst of times, continued to create. With a 25-piece choir and performances and readings from some of Chicago’s top […]
One piece. By one artist. For one night. About this event Join Intuit for One Night Stand, a free series of art talks that focus on individual works of art from the museum's collections and exhibitions. This month, art historian and curator Lisa Stone will engage attendees in a conversation about artist Pauline Simon and […]
Organizers: Intuit: The Center for Intuitive and Outsider Art
DANK Haus hosts a gemütliche chat online every Thursday at 5:30pm, with German speakers at every level welcome. We will be talking about "Gott und die Welt", and this Klatsch will be moderated by a friendly and enthusiastic German speaker. Please RSVP to receive the online link. This link can be used every week. https://dankhaus.com/event-4475997 […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
In Making Mexican Chicago, Mike Amezcua offers a powerful multiracial history of Chicago that sheds new light on the origins and endurance of urban inequality. Amezcua visits the Newberry to discuss how the Windy City became a postwar Latinx metropolis in the face of white resistance. Though Chicago is often popularly defined by its Polish, Black, and […]
Join us for Legally Stolen Live featuring Tiff Beatty and Tonika Lewis Johnson. The event will focus on inequality in real estate. About this event Legally Stolen Live is a podcast event hosted by Tiff Beatty of the National Public Housing Museum and Social Justice Artist Tonika Lewis Johnson as part of her project, Inequity for […]
Fashion Artist, Hyelim Kim exhibition of traditional and modernity garment constructed using the techniques of the Korean traditional hanbok sewing known as, Kkaekki, using the Western textile of wool silk, cotton silk, and Korean textile of Korean silk, silk organza and dupioni silk. Opening Reception is April 30 at 2pm.
The Pretzel Blitz is back! We are hosting 5 pretzel making classes in April. Why? We LOVE pretzels! These pretzel-making classes will be offered in-person. We will host up to 20 students in our industrial kitchen at the DANK Haus. These 20 students will get hands on training from Reinhard Richter, our resident Pretzel Meister, […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
DANK Haus, 6th Floor Skyline Lounge This workshop will provide you with an insight on hot topics of German citizenship, from obtaining to retaining it. Hanna Tetz and Fabienne Kloster of the Chicago German Consulate will give you an understanding of the different application procedures, modalities of dual citizenship, relating family matters and share the […]
Organizers: DANK Haus German American Cultural Center
Desde Mi Barrio (From my Neighborhood) is a concert series presented by Puerto Rican Arts Alliance’s the Latin Music Project. This series features local and national musicians while celebrating the rich music of Puerto Rico and other Latinx cultures. Join us on April 30 for the next concert in our series, Cuerdas Clásicas. This Latin American performing […]
Fiery Seahorse Productions presents a reading of "Ye-Xian: The Chinese Cinderella" for the young and the young-at-heart..! About this event Please join Fiery Seahorse Productions for an afternoon of theatre at the Chinese American Museum of Chicago (4th Floor Gallery)… https://ccamuseum.org/ ADA Info: Side Entrance with Ramp Info: ENERI Communications [email protected] —- Attendance Policies (In-person […]
J. Gibran Villalobos is an arts administrator, educator, and cultural worker. He has served as Senior Program Officer for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, as the Interim Executive Director of the Chicago Artists Coalition, and faculty lecturer at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Previously, he has held posts as Assistant Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Partnerships and Community Engagement Manager for the Chicago Architecture Biennial, Cultural Liaison for the Chicago Park District, and Curator-in-Residence for the Chicago Cultural Center. In 2016 he attended the Advocacy Leadership Institute and was invited to the White House Office of Public Engagement, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to speak to issues affecting Latinos in Chicago. In 2017 he launched an inaugural summit of Latinx artists and administrators across the U.S; for this project he was awarded the Act Up Award by the Chicago Community Trust. His work has been presented at the Fabrica de Arte Cubano during the 2017 Havana Biennial. In 2019 he was an inaugural recipient of the Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago Award as well as the Americans for the Arts 2019 Leaders of Color Fellowship. In 2020, he joined the Civic Leadership Academy at the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy where he worked with government and nonprofit sector participants to think about effective policy for Chicago’s cultural industries. He helped establish the Auxiliary Board at the National Museum of Mexican Art. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in the Department of Arts Administration & Policy.
Gibran holds a BA in Art History and a BS in Public Relations from Northern Arizona University and an MA in Arts Administration & Policy and MA in Modern Art History & Theory from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
He has contributed to exhibitions such as Direct Message, presenting the artwork of Chicago artistic collectives and their relation to language and civic engagement. As part of an international project, he has convened the MCA Chicago with the Tate Modern, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Queens Museum and other institutions to create dialogue on civic engagement within contemporary art institutions. He has written catalog entries for Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle, Rodrigo Lara Zendejas, and Jeremiah Hulsebos-Spofford. In 2021, he is contributing to the upcoming retrospective on the work by artist Andrea Bowers focusing on the activism and archives of Emma Lozano. He is curator of the symposium Fractures: Creating Around Devastation focusing on water ecology, civic engagement, activism, and architecture.
Loreal Robertson
Board Member
Loreal Robertson is a native Chicagoan who recently returned home in 2021 where she began working at the University of Chicago. In her role she oversees and monitors a range of programs, services, and resources to support the retention, wellness, belonging, and success of graduate students. Additionally, her role includes informing strategic priorities, diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, professional development, student advancement and the support of students who may be experiencing financial academic, or personal challenges, including students with disabilities and international students.
Loreal has over 10 years of experience in higher education and student affairs. In 2021 she received the Inclusion and Diversity Champion Award from Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK), where she was previously employed. Loreal’s personal and professional philosophy is creating and promoting spaces and opportunities where everyone can see themselves as part of an experience and feels represented.
Loreal holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Arkansas, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from TAMUK.
Loreal is a financial and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, an avid reader, and enjoys traveling with family and friends.
Warren Frank
Treasurer
Warren Frank is a retired CPA and CFO, and current Adjunct Professor at Columbia College.
Warren worked at such CPA firms as KPMG, PwC, and Deloitte, and Not For Profit organizations as National Association of Realtors, Chicago Associations of Realtors, Anixter Center, and Chinese American Service League.
Warren is a Chicago resident in the Lakeview neighborhood. He attended Loyola University of Chicago for his bachelor degree and Northwestern University for his master degree.
Colleen McGaughey
Board Member
Colleen McGaughey (she/her) is the director of development at the National Public Housing Museum, where she leads the strategic direction of the museum’s fundraising efforts with a focus on creative and community-centric approaches.
Mario Longoni
Board Member
Mario Longoni is a cultural anthropologist (“Lead Environmental Social Scientist”) in the Keller Science Action Center at the Field Museum. For over 20 years, he has worked with individuals and organizations to surface and activate cultural and natural assets (specific strengths and characteristics) to help communities meet the challenges they face.
Rob Fojtik
Board Member
Rob Fojtik is Vice President for Neighborhood Strategy at Choose Chicago, the city’s official tourism and convention promotion bureau. In this capacity, Rob oversees efforts to promote and support Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods to visitors from near and far. Programs include the award-winning Neighborhood Content Creator program that leverages resident-made digital content, and Chicago Alfresco, a $2.5 million placemaking initiative created in partnership with the Chicago Department of Transportation to transform public spaces into community plazas for outdoor enjoyment.
Before coming to Choose Chicago, Rob was a Senior Advisor to Mayor Lightfoot on economic development and international relations at City Hall, as well as LGTBQ+ affairs and the expanded outdoor dining program. In this role, he also worked to recommend and place over 150 civic leaders and residents onto City boards and commissions. Prior to government service in the Lightfoot administration, Rob ran her winning campaign in the crowded 2019 Chicago mayoral race as Chief of Staff. In past lives, Rob has worked as a public affairs manager for a Fortune 500 company downtown; had misadventures in management consulting, art sales, and personal cheffing; and spent time in Washington DC working for former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. Rob also served a one-year appointment at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence as a policy advisor on Central and Eastern Europe. In this role, he was part of the NSC’s interagency process to develop a comprehensive sanctions regime on Russia as a consequence of its 2014 invasion of Crimea and Eastern Ukraine.
After receiving his BA in Slavic Languages and Literature at Northwestern University, Rob lived and worked in the Czech Republic teaching English and tending bar before moving to Washington, D.C. to pursue a MA from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies (CERES). He enjoys cooking, learning foreign languages, hiking with his partner and their dog, and visiting Chicago’s many neighborhoods.
Paul Durica
Board Member
Dr. Paul Durica is the Director of Exhibitions at the Chicago History Museums and worked in a similar capacity at The Newberry Library. From 2015-2020, he served as the Director of Programs and Exhibitions with Illinois Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Prior to that he drew upon his work as a writer, researcher, and teacher to produce a series of free and interactive talks, walks, and reenactments focused on narratives from Chicago’s past that resonate with its present.
These public history programs led to collaborations with cultural institutions in the city such as the Jane Addams Hull-House Museum, Chicago History Museum, Newberry Library, Chicago Architecture Foundation, Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Chicago Cultural Center among others.
Each program made use of both his original research and the skills of the arts organizations, community groups, local businesses, and publications that acted as my partners. Some of these programs, such as the full-scale reenactment of the Haymarket Affair in 2011, involved recruiting and directing over 300 volunteers and 1,000 participants.
To produce these programs successfully, he wrote grants; managed budgets; generated web content; worked closely with program partners of varying sizes and resources; and identified, engaged, and sustained a diverse multi-generational audience.
Lynessa Rico
Board Member
Dr. Lynessa M. Rico is the Associate Chair of the Business Psychology Department at the The Chicago School of Professional Psychology Chicago campus. She is also a business mentor at 1871.
Lynessa is a results-driven Strategic Consultant with over 25 years of experience enabling leaders to meet strategic business objectives by identifying and aligning business growth opportunities with strategic direction of culturally diverse organizations. By leveraging her strategic experience in identifying and impacting business growth opportunities and maximizing profits in retail firms and higher education institutions, Lynessa leads workshops focused on the creative mindset, women’s entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, and the value and application of design thinking within entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial ecosystems. Her services also include consulting with and educating leadership on emotional intelligence, the power of design thinking and the creative mindset, and leadership styles to support inclusive, creative workplaces. She has presented to leadership and innovation teams in small, mid-size, and Fortune 500 companies.
Lynessa received her undergraduate degrees in Marketing and Management from Wichita State University. She then went on to earn a master’s degree in Business Administration from Wichita State University with a focus in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. After earning her master’s degree, Lynessa received her doctorate in Business Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she successfully completed her dissertation titled, “The Relationship Between Personality Types and Color Preference for Color Combinations.” Her current research interests include women’s entrepreneurship, design thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurship self-efficacy.
Outside of work and research, Lynessa enjoys mentoring start-ups and judging pitch competitions. Lynessa currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with her four cats. She is an avid long-distance runner, having completed 5 full marathons (and counting), and enjoys watching musical theater.
Briana Thomas
Board Member
Briana Thomas is the Museum Associate at the Abrahamic Center for Cultural Education (a core member of the Chicago Cultural Alliance). She wears many hats including developing exhibition content, facilitating community programs (children and adults), liaising with visitor artists, and other responsibilities. Her previous experience in the nonprofit space includes her tenure as the Financial Empowerment Coordinator at AMERICORPS Sharing Life Center as well as engaging with the public at the Dallas Arboretum. Her past professional experience has remained rooted in marginalized communities. It is their needs, discourse and histories that she has routinely been tasked with protecting and showcasing in the face of poor infrastructure, and willing ignorance. Creating safe spaces is an ancestral practice she has inherited.