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John H. Bracey (BA History ’64) is a professor of Afro-American studies at the University of Massachusetts. He is funding a fellowship program that provides support for doctoral students in the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2021.

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As the executive director of the United Builders Association of Chicago, Paul King (BA African American Studies ’74) helped organize the National Association of Minority Contractors and founded UBM Construction, which became the largest black-owned contractor in Illinois. King also founded O’Hare Development Group, one of the first minority-owned developers in the state, and became a consultant to the U.S. Department of Labor in its efforts to craft minority contractor and labor participation rules on federally funded construction contracts.

U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (BGS Political Science, ’74) retired after 15 terms in office. Rush represented Illinois’ 1st district for almost three decades. He introduced the Emmett Till Antilynching Act in 2019, which finally passed by the House after 200 former attempts to make lynching a federal hate crime had failed.

Before his election to public office, Rush was a civil rights leader and founder of the Illinois Black Panther Party.

Angela Greenman’s (BA Theatre Arts ’84) career has spanned the spectrum from community relations in Chicago to governmental public communications on nuclear power. As an expert and lecturer with the International Atomic Energy Agency for over a decade, Greenman developed the communication standards for the Corporate Operational Safety Review Team program.

Sandy Jenkins (MA Educational Administration & Supervision ’87) was inducted into the Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Jenkins dedicated years to young people participating in track and field and led Calumet High School to a state title in 1976.

Angela Greenman’s (BA Theatre Arts ’84) career has spanned the spectrum from community relations in Chicago to governmental public communications on nuclear power. As an expert and lecturer with the International Atomic Energy Agency for over a decade, Greenman developed the communication standards for the Corporate Operational Safety Review Team program.

Sandy Jenkins (MA Educational Administration & Supervision ’87) was inducted into the Illinois Track and Cross-Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Jenkins dedicated years to young people participating in track and field and led Calumet High School to a state title in 1976.

Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin (BBA ’92) announced a bid for Illinois governor.

Patrick Keturet Ole Ntutu (BS Management, ’99, MBA ’02) is running for governor of Narok county, one of the 47 counties in the Republic of Kenya.

Sara Lemen (BM Voice ’02) was named the executive director of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

Denitra Griffin (MA Arts ’03) was recently celebrated as one of the Chicago Business Journal’s Women of Influence for 2021. Griffin is the co-owner and president at AGB Investigative Services Inc., the nation’s largest Black-owned security company.

Zach Brockman (BBA ’05) has worked coast to coast during his extensive career in Minor League Baseball. Now he’s headed back to the Midwest as president of the Beloit Sky Carp, a Miami Marlins affiliate.

Sara Lemen (BM Voice ’02) was named the executive director of the Beloit Janesville Symphony Orchestra.

Courtney Reed (BFA Musical Theatre, ’06) starred in a national production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. The North American tour kicked off in early 2022.

Chelsea Laliberte (BA Integrated Marketing Communications, ’07) is running for state representative in Illinois’ 51st District. She is the founder of Live4Lali, a grassroots nonprofit that provides peer support, education, harm reduction outreach, and advocacy, aiding thousands of families annually.

Baritone Lucia Lucas (PD Opera, ’08) became the first openly transgender artist to perform a lead role on the stage of The Metropolitan Opera, as Angelotti in Puccini’s Tosca.

Raymond Gunn (BPS ’09, MBA ’12) published Moments of Black Coffee and Poems with Sophisticated Press.

Phyllis Steinhauser (BA Paralegal Studies, ’09) found her dream job as an in-house legal assistant for a hemp product manufacturer in Oregon.

Jonathan Tolliver (BM Jazz Studies/Vocal Performance ’09) performed “Say What!”, one of the funky new singles from his Daddyland Deluxe EP, on the Late Late Show with James Corden.

Aleya Crable Jennings (MS Integrated Marketing Communication ’10) has been appointed the director of corporate sponsorship and individual giving by Fred Rogers Productions. The company is responsible for award-winning children’s entertainment such as PBS Kids’ Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Odd Squad and more.

Jarrett Adams (BA Criminal Justice ’12) published his memoir, Redeeming Justice: From Defendant to Defender, My Fight for Equity on Both Sides of the System. Adams was 17 when an all-white jury sentenced him to prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Now a pioneering lawyer, he recalls the journey that led to his exoneration—and inspired him to devote his life to fighting the many injustices in our legal system.

Gerardo Ramirez (BA Political Science, ’12) joined the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services as a management operations analyst. He plans to graduate from the University of Illinois Chicago MPA program in December 2023.

As the founder of Love Finesse, Robyn Hugh (BA Psychology, ’16) helps emerging fashion brands make a splash. She designs pop-up shops and digital experiences that give brands the love they deserve. Robyn is also launching a program for young people interested in creative careers.

Gwendolyn Long (MS Human Resource Mgmt. ’17) recently celebrated her union with now-husband Paul Noonan on September 11, 2021.

Eric Synajie (BA Actuarial Science, ’17) created A Swift Connect, a concierge service that matches graphic designers with small businesses on marketing projects.

Crystal Castillo (BA Allied Health ’18, MA Business ’19) joined the Richards High School staff as the new physical education teacher.

Christina Salerno (MA Performing Arts Admin, ’15) was named Executive Director of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras. She is the executive director of the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra, which provides concerts of compelling professional symphonic music and supports music education.

Gabriela Lara (BM Violin, ’21) took home second place (and $25,000) in the Sphinx Competition, which recognizes young Black and Latinx string players.  Lara also won the audience choice award for her moving and masterful performance.

Jessica Lusky (MA Conflict and Mediation, ’21) is a program manager at the Center of Conflict Resolution in Chicago.