PROFESSIONALS FOR PROGRESS

EMERGING LEADERS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM WILL DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:

• Fluency in cross-culture dialogue, demonstrating the listening, communication, and intercultural competence needed to engage constructively across differences.

• The ability to build meaningful relationships across sectors and communities, creating networks where ideas, resources, and best practices can be developed and shared.

• The courage to step beyond identity-based echo chambers, cultivating professional and personal relationships grounded in curiosity, respect, and trust.

• A commitment to civic leadership, strengthening democracy by fostering dialogue, bridging divides, and encouraging participation in a pluralistic society.

• A spirit of optimism and stewardship, championing Chicago — and our country — as places where people of every background can thrive, contribute, and belong.

• A speaker from the Obama Center spoke on minority voter suppression and the barriers that continue to shape civic participation.

• Supportiv.com educated a group on fat phobia, examining its roots in racism and the ways bias operates across personal and systemic levels.

• The Conservative Point of View: A panel featuring three conservatives from across the US, creating space for dialogue on abortion, military service, and election denial.

• Israel and Gaza: A panel featuring the former mayor of Oak Park, who was born in Gaza, a member of J Street, and a humanities professor from the University of Chicago in dialogue on a deeply complex conflict.

• What Does Racism in the Workplace Look Like in 2024 Compared to Post-George Floyd? A panel led by three of our BIPOC members.

• Indian Cooking Class: A cultural gathering using food and shared experience to deepen connection and intercultural understanding.