President and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women wants to transform people’s lives

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BY TIA CAROL JONES

Blakley is the President and CEO of Chicago Foundation for Women. The organization is a community foundation that raises money to provide resources and support to organizations that help women, girls, transgender and non-binary People.

“We believe that when you invest in women and girls, you really invest in transformative change in our communities and we try to make sure resources get to those in our communities who need them the most,” she said.

What informs the work Davis Blakley does now with Chicago Foundation for Women is growing up as a Black girl on the South side of Chicago, riding public transportation and going to public schools. She spent 10 years in the Chicago Police Department from 1991 to 2001, with eight of those years as a violent crimes detective, investigating sex-related offenses. She worked with women to try to get them justice and start the healing process.

During her time in City Hall, working with Mayor Rahm Emanuel, she had an opportunity to make a large impact in communities. With her time in higher education administration, she ensured people had educational opportunities and worked on creating equity in higher education.

Davis Blakley remembered her mother, who was a single mother, navigate systems and provide for the basic necessities for the family. She also remembered a lot of Black women in the community who wrapped their arms around her mother. She described it as the true spirit of community.

“My life is different because I can see the footprints of all those people. And, I feel a responsibility, then, to pay that forward and to make sure that … First Lady Michelle Obama said when you walk through the door of opportunity, do you close it behind you or do you reach your hand back and pull somebody else through the door … And, I see my life’s work as a continual pulling other people through the door and creating opportunities,” she said.

In 2017, Chicago Foundation for Women launched the Englewood Women’s Initiative, a place-based strategy that was created because the foundation listened to community voices. It was born out of Englewood’s Quality of Life Plan, which called for economic security and mobility for women and their families. The Chicago Foundation for Women worked with Teamwork Englewood and other organizations to create wraparound holistic approach with services to help women.

In 2021, Chicago Foundation for Women launched SHEcovery, which was born out of the pandemic and the inequities. The goal was to create equitable recovery for women during COVID-19. The four pillars included addressing the eviction crisis, getting women back to work, caring for caregivers and demanding an antiracist healthcare system.

The Chicago Foundation for Women also launched Willie’s Warriors, named after The Reverend Willie T. Barrow. It is a Black women’s leadership program with a focus on social justice, creating space and celebrating Black women. The women in the cohort create their own curriculum based on what they’re interested in learning. The women in the fifth cohort has just launched. There are 21 women in the cohort.

“It is so powerful when these sisters are in the room. Many times I leave the room inspired, and with some tears, because the stories are so powerful. Their leadership is already apparent,” she said, adding that for a lot of the women, in addition to the work they are doing, they do the unofficial work of diversity, equity and inclusion. “We create the space where they can separate those things, feel affirmed and supported and know they are on the right track and that they are excellent leaders, just as they are,” she said.

On March 29th, Chicago Foundation for Women will celebrate its Impact Awards. Eight women, who are nominated by the community, will be honored for the work they do. The Board Boot Camp will take place on April 8th and April 15th. The cost is $200.

For more information about Chicago Foundation for Women, visit cfw.org.

The Wait is Over! HAMILTON RETURNS TO CHICAGO!

Chicago, Ill. – Broadway In Chicago announced that HAMILTON will return to Chicago for the first time following a record-breaking 3+ year run. This multi-week engagement begins September 13, at the James M. Nederlander Theatre. Groups are now available for 10+ by calling 312-977-1710. Casting, performance schedule, and individual ticket sales for HAMILTON will be announced later this year. For more details, visit BroadwayInChicago.com.

“We welcome HAMILTON back to its Chicago home, thrilled to present the return of this brilliant award-winning modern Broadway classic,” said Lou Raizin, President of Broadway In Chicago.

HAMILTON is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of America’s founding father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the West Indies who became George Washington’s righthand man during the Revolutionary War and was the new nation’s first Treasury Secretary and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.

With book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire, HAMILTON is based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography. It has won Tony®, Grammy®, and Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

The HAMILTON creative team previously collaborated on the Tony Award®-Winning Best Musical In the Heights. HAMILTON features scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Paul Tazewell, lighting design by Howell Binkley, sound design by Nevin Steinberg, hair and wig design by Charles G. LaPointe, casting by Telsey + Company, Bethany Knox, CSA, and General Management by Baseline Theatrical.

The musical is produced by Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman and The Public Theater.

The HAMILTON Original Broadway Cast Recording is available everywhere nationwide. The HAMILTON recording received a 2016 Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album.

For information on HAMILTON, visit: HamiltonMusical.com

Broadway In Chicago was created in July 2000 and over the past 20 years has grown to be one of the largest commercial touring homes in the country. A Nederlander Presentation, Broadway In Chicago lights up the Chicago Theater District entertaining up to 1.7 million people annually in five theatres. Broadway In Chicago presents a full range of entertainment, including musicals and plays, on the stages of five of the finest theatres in Chicago’s Loop including the Cadillac Palace Theatre, CIBC Theatre, James M. Nederlander Theatre, and just off the Magnificent Mile, the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place and presenting Broadway shows at the Auditorium Theatre.

For more information, visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.