City Club of Chicago hosted an extraordinary evening celebrating excellence at Amplification 2024!
The second annual event was to celebrate influential civic leaders shaping Chicago and setting the stage for City Club’s vision of tomorrow – and I am humbled to be named among them. Receiving the “Transformative Leader” award is not just an honor but a testament to the power of unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive world for generations to come. This recognition pushes me to continue driving meaningful change and progress. Congratulations to my fellow honorees, Janice Jackson, EdD, the CEO of Hope Chicago, who earned the “Catalyst for Change” title, and Shermann "Dilla" Thomas, Chicago Urban Historian & Founder of Chicago Mahogany Tours, who was given the “Cultural Amplifier” award. You are superstars!
The sold-out gala brought 500+ attendees and some of the best community visionaries, like my great friend Bob Wislow and many more, to discuss Chicago’s obstacles, opportunities, and future. Since its founding in 1903, City Club of Chicago has served as the city’s longest-running civic forum, bringing together leaders and engaged citizens from across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. City Club has been a hub for discussions on civic responsibility, public policy, and open debate, featuring high-profile speakers (like former President Barack Obama and various political leaders) who have addressed society’s most pressing issues.
City Club continues its mission of fostering civic engagement by convening thought leaders who influence public policy and incite action. Amplification is a reflection of this tradition and all the good that comes from trailblazers swapping stories and ideas. I would like to thank City Club of Chicago’s Dan Gibbons - I am so proud of all of the fantastic work he’s done. I would also like to thank Clayco’s Mary Person and the Obama Foundation’s Lori Healey, along with Cinespace Studios, for providing the perfect venue to forge crucial connections with innovators. Unfortunately, I was unable to participate in the honoree panel discussion, but a huge shout-out to my son Shawn Clark, CEO of CRG, for doing such a terrific job participating on my behalf.
Let’s keep serving Chicago communities and beyond!
