Advancing Racial Equity In Philanthropy, Non-Profit, and Fundraising
Announcing THE 2024 BREAKIN' IT DOWN AWARD WINNERS
Through its Beakin Breakin' It Down recognizes individual and organizational leadership excellence in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising. Leadership is broadly defined and includes efforts in service to under-represented and underserved communities in the Chicago area; integration of racial equity with sustained strategic collaborations; and lifting pragmatic, action-oriented, and tenacious change makers in the field. The objective of the Denise Stennis Awards program is not only to recognize those who do contribute but also to inspire others to make similar contributions to the field.
First awarded in 2019, The Denise Stennis Awards awards re named in memory and honor of Denise Stennis, a community leader, mentor, friend, and founding member of the Breakin' It Down conference. Well-known and regarded in the metropolitan Chicago nonprofit community, Denise served a number of social benefit, educational and cultural organizations. She directly influenced countless nonprofit decision-makers, fundraising volunteers, and the work as well as careers of many Chicago area development professionals.
We honor her dedication to advancing racial equity and expanding opportunities to diverse communities and professionals in the nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising field. This year, we have the distinct honor of recognizing one individual Awarde and oneorganization Awardees
In 2024, Breakin' It Down announced its inaugural Emerging Leaders Awards for Leadership Excellence which recognize outstanding endeavors of newer professionals, community members, and volunteers and nonprofit organizations who have demonstrated a passion for and commitment to advancing racial equity in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising and significant impact in marginalized Chicago communities. The objective of the Emerging Leaders Awards is to encourage newer professionals and organizations to continue their careers and service, to help drive economic empowerment and inclusive mobility in communities and in the field.
About the Award
The award symbolizes our hope that due recognition will inspire and ignite human potential and galvanize philanthropic and community leaders, educators, policymakers, and professionals to keep taking the steps to advance racial equity in the field. In particular, we hope to embolden diverse community members and students to pursue careers and leadership in the field of nonprofit, philanthropy, and fundraising.
INDIVIDUAL DENISE STENNIS AWARD
MElissa O'Dell
MELISSA O'DELL is Executive Director of Defy Ventures Illinois.
Experience: Defy Director of Prison Engagement and Admissions; Director of CEO YNL, California. Program Director, Community Assessment and Services Center. Franklin & Marshall College (Bachelor’s in Government and Women’s Studies).
Expertise: Social service program delivery, evidence informed practice, criminal and juvenile justice reform
Believes: Hope, empathy, community and compassion can thrive in the most unlikeliest of places..
ORGANIZATION DENISE STENNIS AWARD
CHicago JoBs Council
Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) is a workforce development intermediary that keeps job seekers at the center of all we do.
OUR MISSION
Together with community and institutional leaders, Chicago Jobs Council is re-imagining our workforce system so all people can thrive through employment.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create an anti-racist workforce development system and employment equity so that everyone can realize their unique pathway out of poverty.
INAUGURAL EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS
ARELY A. ANAYA
Arely A. Anaya is Director of Development and Communications of Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project (FLAP)Illinois. She is a proud graduate of Northeastern Illinois University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Global Studies. Arely is fluent in both English and Spanish and a first-generation Latina from the Lansing Village in Cook County. She developed her passion for helping her Latine community after growing up seeing her single mother struggle financially and under unfair working conditions while employed in the food, homecare, landscape, and construction industries. Arely’s mother often shared stories with her and her siblings of being an undocumented farm worker in the 1980’s in Salinas, California and the injustices that workers still face. Those stories and the struggles she saw her mom in, inspired her to advocate and empower immigrant and low-wage workers.
For the past few years, Arely has volunteered with social justice efforts and in political campaigns to help uplift many issues that our communities face in the workplace and throughout our society. Her dedication derives from her hope to see all immigrant workers be treated with dignity and respect. She is determined to help and empower our immigrant community and fight for equality standing firm with that commitment!
As FLAP’s Bilingual Operations and Development Manager, her responsibilities include managing the day-to-day operations of FLAP, grant goals, labor rights education, and providing resources to low-income Latine immigrant, migrant, and seasonal workers in Illinois. Arely speaks, reads, and writes English and Spanish.
TICINA WILLIAMS
Ticina L. Williams is Program Manager and Community Development MarManager of the Southaeast Chicago Commission. She is an author, consultant and creative entrepreneur. She is a native of the southside of Chicago and a graduate of Kenwood Academy. After working in the healthcare industry for the last 17 years, as nationally certified Pharmacy Technician, she founded Creativiti Custom Designs and Events, a full service event planning, and party supply company. Creativiti Custom Designs and Event’s mission is to empower clients to successfully plan, and manage a myriad of projects or style personalized events featuring products and services created and curated exclusively by the brand. Ticina graduated from Chicago State University with a degree in Business Administration/Management, and is a member Delta Mu Delta's business honor society that recognizes and encourages academic excellence of students. Fueled by a drive to learn, Ticina has also earned certifications in Nonprofit Management (University of Chicago), and Event Planning from Correlations Event Planning LLC. She is also currently pursing a Master’s of Business Administration (Project Management) from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is passionate about civic engagement, community service and advocating for resources to build thriving communities in Chicago.