Impact

The 2024 Bridge Awards Celebration illuminated the impact of this work when we stand together. Our guests’ energy and dedication to advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout Chicago’s business ecosystem was palpable.
 
There are so many to thank! Our Presenting Sponsor, BMO. Health Care Service Corporation/Blue Cross Blue Shield, our Chairman’s Circle Sponsor. Our Member Companies, partners, supporters and friends who sponsored at the Advocates for Change, Corporate Citizens for Change and Leaders for Change levels, and everyone who individually supported. You share the vision and your support continues our momentum.
 
I extend sincere appreciation to ABC 7 Chicago, our Media Partner, and Weekend Anchor and Reporter Mark Rivera who served as our outstanding Emcee. Kudos to our event planner Erika Summers of Erika Summers Events, designer Greg Smith of RE:DESIGN Visual Communications, and J&L Catering, Kehoe Designs, BlackOak Technical Productions, and the entire team at our new venue, The Geraghty.
 
I am so grateful for our incredible Board of Directors. I could not lead this organization without your support. And our amazing Staff … Thank You!
 
Again, I congratulate this year’s honorees: Kraft Heinz, the 2024 Bridge Award recipient; The Nacional Group and Brian Ortiz, Founder and CEO and a 2023 Business Leader of Color, upon receiving the CU Impact Award; and Wendell Dallas, President and CEO of Nicor Gas and a 2023 Business Leader of Color, the recipient of the biennial BLC President’s Award.
 
As I told our guests, Chicago United continues to stand strong. The landscape may present barriers, but we have withstood crisis throughout our 56-year history. The work of Chicago United will continue to drive inclusive business cultures.
 
I am more than certain we are on the right side of history. When we stand together and work together, we make the necessary Impact.

Be well, 

Business Leaders of Color 2025

Nominations Now Open

Submit A BLC Nomination Here →

Chicago United Holds
CII Cohort VII Closing Reception

Chicago United held the Corporate Inclusion Institute’s Cohort VII Closing Reception in October, marking the culmination of a nine-month inclusion journey for the program’s Corporate Guides and Fellows. CII-VII participants were presented with a Certificate of Completion during the reception.

Mesirow, a Chicago United Member Company, served as host of the reception. Presentations during the ceremony included a welcome from Leo Harmon, Senior Managing Director of Mesirow, and messages on the impact of CII from Julie Simms Holder, Senior Cybersecurity Supervision Specialist and Eli Orenstein, Assistant Bank Examiner, both from The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and Charmon Parker Williams, Ph.D., President of Parker Williams Consulting.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago (Platinum Sponsor) and Peoples Gas (Gold Sponsor) sponsored CII-VII. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and ComEd provided space for CII’s academic sessions and workshops.

Chicago United’s President and CEO Featured on ABC 7’s Morning News

Chicago United’s President and CEO Tiffany Hamel Johnson was featured in a live segment on ABC 7 Chicago’s morning news. Interviewed by anchor Terrell Brown, Hamel Johnson highlighted the work of Chicago United and shared details of the 2024 Bridge Awards Celebration: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion=IMPACT, Presented by BMO. 

The program may be viewed here →

Chicago United Featured on Wintrust Digital Billboard

Wintrust Financial, a Chicago United Member Company, featured Chicago United on the Wintrust Digital Billboard, located along the Kennedy Expressway at North Avenue. The Billboard featured the message of the 2024 Bridge Awards, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion=IMPACT. Chicago United will be featured through December 1.

Chicago United Beams over the City

On November 21, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, a Chicago United Member Company, displayed CU’s message from its building at 300 N. Randolph Street. The visual message served as an inspiring backdrop to the Bridge Awards Celebration, held later in the evening.