Our Events

In honor of the 2021 October Principal Appreciation Month, The Fund hosted four happy hours for Chicago public school principals on Thursdays. Each week, the happy hour rotated to a different part of the city: from Humboldt Park, to Lakeview, to Hyde Park, to the Loop.

On October 21, The Fund held a special three-hour principal appreciation month happy hour, taking place in the Museum of Science and Industry's Henry Crown Space Center. This event ended with a live storytelling event titled, "Principals: Leading Us Forward." In the Giant Dome Theater, four principals from across the city shared their personal stories of strength and leadership.

This Tuesday, May 25, panel centered on how COVID-19 and the fight for racial justice have forced changes everywhere, and leaders of local institutions have had to reimagine the roles they play in the city. Chicago Community Trust COO and Fund Board member Andrea Sáenz moderated the conversation between panelists:

-Dr. Janice Jackson, CEO, Chicago Public Schools
-Nykia Wright, CEO, Chicago Sun-Times
-Kedra Newsom, Managing Director & Partner, Boston Consulting Group
-Katya Nuques, Executive Director, Enlace Chicago

In March, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and The Fund hosted a virtual mixer for school leaders to learn more about professional development opportunities during the 2021-22 school year. During the event, school leaders heard directly from current and former program participants about their experiences and asked questions about the application process.

On November 23, The Fund partnered with Easterseals Chicago to host a panel about includes tangible resources and best practices for reopening schools for pre-k and cluster program leaders.

This October 13 event sponsored by WBEZ, Fifth Third Bank, and William Blair featured four school leaders telling stories about strength in the face of adversity and loss.

An August 27 event, co-hosted with The CAFÉ and A Better Chicago, where three principals told stories of school innovation in the face of limited resources and time.