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IMPACT

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IMPACT will begin accepting applications for the 2021 cohort in September 2020. Please check back in September.

Fellows

Since its launch in 2014, the IMPACT Leadership Development Program has assembled four extraordinary cohorts, each consisting of some of the brightest, most talented African American professionals in Chicago. These high-achieving leaders have gravitated toward IMPACT because of the professional advancement and networking opportunities that the program affords them.

Our cohorts are exceptionally diverse in terms of professional experience, educational background, and personal interests. We strongly believe that this diversity of thought and experience is crucial to our Fellows’ learning and development, and we openly welcome the different viewpoints and perspectives that each of our Fellows brings to the table.

IMPACT Fellows share the Chicago Urban League’s vision that a strong African American community is a better Chicago and are unified in their commitment to affecting positive change as their generation’s most influential leaders. Our hope is that this mutual commitment permeates the very fabric of our communities and inspires long-term social transformation.

Class of 2022
Class of 2021
Class of 2020
Class of 2019
Class of 2018
Class of 2017
Class of 2016
Class of 2015

Program Structure

  • Program Elements
  • Historical and Political Perspectives
  • Events and Activities
  • Lessons in Leadership
  • Outcomes

IMPACT empowers young, African American executives by providing them with the tools and skills necessary to thrive in increasingly responsible leadership roles. It accomplishes this through our curriculum that comprises five distinct program elements: (1) leadership modules; (2) historical and political perspective modules; (3) current issue modules; (4) individual leadership assessments; (5) the “Lessons in Leadership” speaker series.

Chicago is one of the most history-rich and politically-relevant cities in the world. An effective leader in Chicago should be aware of the issues and moments that have shaped the city.

During our first two modules, Fellows engage with the following topics:
1. Historical Perspective: African Americans in Chicago from the Great Migration to the Present.
2. Political Perspective: The Roles and Impact of African Americans in Chicago Politics

In addition to our monthly modules, which serve as the program’s classroom learning component, Fellows participate in supplementary events and activities each month. These program elements are designed to provide a robust platform for intergenerational exchange and professional networking.

IMPACT hosts a “Lessons in Leadership” speaker series, which features senior leaders from the Chicago area who share their stories of challenges, triumphs, and lessons learned in their careers. These stories capture our Fellows' imaginations and inspire them to pursue their passions.

By the end of the program, Fellows develop a leadership action plan that is geared toward guiding them through the next steps of their professional advancement and helping them map out strategies for effective community engagement. Our expectation is that Fellows integrate lessons from each program area into a dynamic leadership style that best suits them, their organizations, and their communities.

The efficacy of our curriculum is reflected in qualitative feedback from our Class of 2015. 92 percent of our Fellows reported an increase in awareness of their personality and leadership styles, and 97 percent increased their motivation to lead and gained a more positive perception of their leadership abilities.

Testimonials

“IMPACT is connecting talented emerging leaders with well-established ones. It is a really impressive program…and a critical leadership bridge.”

- James Reynolds, Jr., Chairman and CEO, Loop Capital

“IMPACT takes its Fellows to the next level. They get world class instruction from the Booth School of Business, hear personal stories from some of our best leaders, and reflect on the most important issues facing Chicago.”

- Kim Foxx, Cook County State’s Attorney

“This nine-month program combines leadership instruction from the University of Chicago, civic training from a variety of community leaders and one-on-one mentoring from respected and admired professionals. The IMPACT program provides significant value that will enhance the Fellows’ professional growth and civic engagement.”

- Kurt Summers, Treasurer, City of Chicago

“IMPACT is an amazing program that provides generational transfer of knowledge from experienced, established leaders to emerging leaders in an intentional, purposeful way. When you combine that with Booth’s training, mentoring and civic instruction… you hit a home run.”

- Terry Peterson, Vice President of Corporate and External Affairs, Rush University Medical Center

“As a former government leader, now serving as an executive at Allstate, I am really impressed by the talent the IMPACT program is attracting. They are building a powerful network of smart, innovative and inspiring African American leaders who will have a positive influence on Chicago today and into the future.”

- Stephanie Neely, Vice President and Assistant Treasurer, Allstate Insurance Company

Contact

For more information about IMPACT, contact Mavis Laing at MLaing@chiul.org.

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