Melissa DuPrey is an AfroLatina performer, storyteller, and comic from Humboldt Park. Melissa has performed stand-up comedy in Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles and is a featured actor in the Emmy-nominated web-series Brown Girls. She has performed on stage at Teatro Luna, Sideshow Theater Company, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Goodman Theatre, among other Chicago companies. Her TV credits include appearances on Chicago PD and The Chi, and her film credits include Two in the Bush, The Way We Speak, and Bromance. As a musician and active member of her community, she is dedicated to the preservation of Puerto Rican culture by way of the folkloric music, Bomba y Plena, with Africaribe and Las BomPleneras. She is currently an Ensemble Member at UrbanTheater Company and the Director of Production and Community Relations at Free Street Theater. 
 

Interdisciplinary artist avery r. young was named Chicago’s inaugural Poet Laureate in April 2023, serving a two-year tenure through 2025. avery is an artist, educator, 3Arts Awardee, poetry editor for Bridge, Cave Canem fellow, and co-director of the Floating Museum. His poetry and prose have been featured in The BreakBeat Poets: New American Poetry in the Age of Hip-Hop, Teaching Black, The Golden Shovel Anthology: New Poems Honoring Gwendolyn Brooks, and AIMPrint, among other publications, and alongside images in photographer Cecil McDonald Jr’s, In The Company of Black. He is the composer and librettist for a new commissioned work from Lyric Opera of Chicago titled safronia, and full-length recording tubman. (FPE Records) is the soundtrack to his collection of poetry, neckbone: visual verses. 

Mekeba Malik began his dance training at the age of 12. He has been trained in Ballet, Modern, Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, African, and Flamenco. Mekeba has been under the tutelage of Kayla Harley, Dereque Whiturs, Debbie Allen, Virginia Johnson, Robert Garland, Gary Abbott, Kevin Iega Jeff, Nicole Clarke-Springer, Ted Seymour, Thomas Talawa Prestø and Alonzo King, among other. He has trained at Kiara Dance Arts Studio, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, The Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Chicago MultiCultural Dance Center, and The Chicago High School for the Arts. At age 17, Mekeba was the youngest to be accepted to Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet Training Program on a full-ride scholarship. He is currently a company member with Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and joins us on behalf of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. 

Mecca Perry is a sound artist and experienced sound meditation facilitator, weaving together art, healing, and community. As the founder of Mecca Elevated, she curates bespoke wellbeing experiences — incorporating sound and meditation that draw from elements of nature: earth, air, water and fire. With over a decade of experience, Mecca empowers others through a visceral, down-to-earth approach. She designs each session to resonate with the unique needs and intentions of her participants, fostering a deeply personal and transformative connection with the vibrations of sound. Mecca is working with Healing Arts Chicago, a collaboration with the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. This experience allows her to further explore the intersection of healing arts and mental health within the healthcare system. 
 

Leyda “Lady Sol” Garcia is a humble Mexican-American-XICANA, street dance professional, mother, and wife from Humboldt Park. She is a co-founder of Kuumba Lynx, Chicago's first all-women led Hip-Hop arts organization and a proud 3Arts Chicago Award winner. Lady Sol is a self-proclaimed “Professor of Practice” who has taught street dance workshops at Columbia College, Harvard, Stanford, and University of Chicago. She was trained within Chicago’s and New York City's Black Dance community and is globally recognized for her work. She is a newly selected Hip-Hop Diplomat for the Meridian Center for Cultural Diplomacy's Next Level USA Cohort 10.0 sponsored by the US Department of Education. Lady Sol is a cohort member of Healing Arts Chicago, where she facilitates a mindfully accessible mat and chair movement offering titled, "Move 2 Live." 

Ink Factory is a team of artists that helps organizations communicate visually. With decades of experience in business consulting, strategic visioning & planning, and creative problem-solving, they are the leaders in visual note-taking: the art and science of translating conversations into real-time drawings that help people process and remember information. 

Somos Arte is a Chicago-based non-profit arts organization committed to fostering a culture of creativity and connectivity by empowering our community through artistic expression and education. By offering a diverse range of artistic services, including workshops, mural projects, and beyond, we unite artists and community members to collaboratively enhance and beautify shared spaces. Through this collective effort, we celebrate the unique identities and stories of each community, promoting inclusivity, inspiration, and meaningful engagement. 

Tonika Lewis Johnson, a visionary photographer and social justice artist from Chicago's Englewood neighborhood, illuminates the direct impact of real estate and land use injustices on our daily lives. Her projects like "Folded Map", "Inequity For Sale", and "Unblocked Englewood" challenge segregation and discriminatory practices, sparking vital conversations. She advocates for disrupting these patterns by expanding our personal social networks as a key strategy for transformative change. With international acclaim and accolades, including Chicago Magazine's Chicagoan of the Year, Tonika's work has graced prestigious venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art. Recognized as a leader for change, she's a member of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, co-founder of the Englewood Arts Collective, and spearheads the Folded Map Project non-profit, demonstrating the power of art in advocacy and community leadership. 

Ann Lui, AIA, is a founding principal of Future Firm, a Chicago-based architecture and design research practice and an assistant professor of practice at the University of Michigan. Future Firm designs spaces for changemakers, with a focus on serving nonprofits, community-led developments, and arts and culture organizations. Lui’s scholarly work explores the intersection of professional practice and social justice, including exploring access to design services, equitable enforcement of building code, and coauthorship of the built environment. Future Firm led architectural and landscape design for the recently opened Southside Sanctuary POP! Plaza in Bronzeville, and activation of formerly vacant land. 

Robert “A.J.” Patton is the Chairman & CEO of 548 Enterprise, a unified real estate and investment social impact firm that blends his capital, development, foundation and energy solutions. Named after the address of the affordable housing project he grew up in, 548 is a symbol of A.J.’s personal commitment to bringing sustainable building technologies and innovation to underserved communities. A.J. has actualized this commitment through $200 million in mixed-use and residential sustainable housing developments, including one of the Midwest's largest Passive House affordable housing portfolios as a winner of Chicago’s INVEST South/West initiative. Patton’s focus on environmental activism includes three all-electric developments, $50 million in solar powered industrial developments, and 10 Megawatts of solar to power affordable housing. 

In her 20-year career, Lesley has been responsible for public engagement, project management, project design and direction, client contact, and public process facilitation on a variety of architecture and urban planning projects. She has experience in a full range of architecture and planning project types and scales and is adept at leading complex, multi-disciplinary project efforts. Her diverse experience includes both domestic and international thought leadership and practice experience. Lesley is passionate about contributing to the community through her work and engagement with diverse communities to build capacity, foster empowerment, and cultivate relationships. Lesley led the design of the award-winning POP! Courts in Chicago’s Austin community that transformed a vacant corner with public art and community-informed amenities. 

In a little over a decade, Sam Castro has risen from an outreach worker to holding a senior leadership role at Institute for Non-Violence Chicago. In this role he oversees the organization’s programs and services and acts as the main contact for the City's most comprehensive anti-violence plan, Scaling CVI for a Safer Chicago (SC2). Earlier this year, he graduated from the University of Chicago Crime Lab’s Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy. Sam is an example of the power of second chances, transformation, and restorative justice. 

Elvis Ortega is the Lead Liaison for Street Outreach at the City of Chicago Mayor's Office of Community Safety, Community Safety Coordination Center and the Chicago Department of Public Health. His ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels has been instrumental in his success. His role builds on more than two decades in social services and K-16 education, with a focus on violence prevention, community engagement, and leadership. Throughout his career, Elvis has demonstrated a commitment to social justice and equity, with a focus on addressing the needs of at-risk youth, violence prevention, and promoting community safety.  

Jaron Washington is a Field Manager with Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P), a coalition of local community violence interruption providers. He is a graduate of the Metropolitan Peace Academy and winner of their Voice is Yours award. Jaron’s work is driven by his passion for educating others to foster love and mutual respect. His life experiences contribute to his mission to build more compassionate communities. 

Mariella Colón grew up going to her local Chicago Public Library branch, Humboldt Park, every week with her dad. A graduate of Chicago Public Schools, University of Illinois - Chicago, and University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign, she has never wandered very far from her Midwestern roots. She started at Chicago Public Library in 2008 and is now the manager for the Civic, Cultural and Literary Engagement Unit of Adult Services. She has also spoken at numerous professional panels at conferences including JCLC, C2E2, ALA, and the Atlas of New Librarianship Symposium. She has a special interest in DEIA work and Critical Librarianship in particular. She enjoys spending time with her toddler son, video games, films, and helping patrons.

Lindsay Holbrook is a branch manager at the Jeffrey Manor Branch of the Chicago Public Library. Passionate about fostering lifelong learning and community connection, Lindsay has worked across diverse library settings, developing and leading programs that promote literacy, inclusivity, and digital access for patrons of all ages. 

Echelle Mohn is the President of the South Deering Manor Community Association, a group she founded to improve the quality of life in the South Deering 

Area of Chicago. The association brings together block clubs to collaboratively address issues related to education, economic growth, and healthy living, ensuring that residents have a unified voice in advocating for positive change. Echelle is a passionate advocate for education and community development with over 30 years of experience in Computer Science and financial literacy. As a former educator, she has designed curriculum that integrates technological skills and financial literacy, preparing students as young as four years old for the digital world. Echelle was appointed to the Cook County Commission on Women's Issues by Commissioner Stanley Moore in 2016, representing the 4th District. 

Ilene Uhlmann is the Director of Community Engagement at JCC Chicago, with 31 years of experience. She is a passionate, dedicated professional community builder with a demonstrated record of leadership and strategic partnerships to maximize opportunities for community connection and vitality. She has a strong history of success in leading teams and working with people. When she is not at work you can find her most happily spending time with family and friends, traveling, or enjoying time in her garden. During her time with JCC Chicago, the organization has partnered with Chicago Public Library to showcase exhibits that create accessible educational experiences. 

Elizabeth Abunaw is the founder and operator of Forty Acres Fresh Market, a fresh produce grocery startup launched in January 2018. Alarmed by the lack of fresh food options on Chicago’s West side, she committed to opening a low-cost produce market on Chicago’s West side after transitioning from a corporate career. Prior to launching Forty Acres Fresh Market, Liz was a partner manager in Microsoft’s sales division and before that spent ten years at General Mills, Inc. Liz serves on the West Side United Executive Leadership Council. Liz Abunaw moved to Chicago in 2012 when she was awarded a full-tuition fellowship to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, from which she graduated in 2014. Liz is a 2002 Cornell University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Policy Analysis and Management. 

Erika Allen is the founder and CEO for Urban Growers Collective, President of Green ERA Educational NFP, and Co-Owner of Green Era Sustainability Partners. Previously, Allen founded and was the Director of Growing Power - Chicago. She is the co-founder of the Chicago Food Policy Action Council, serves on the board of Grow Greater Englewood, and Leadership Council for Growing Home, and is an advisor for the Community Food Navigator project. She has been appointed by Governor Pritzker for a three-year term on the IL Leadership Council for Agricultural Education. She was also recently appointed by the Biden Administration to join the Farm Service Agency Committee for Illinois and is a Co-Chair of the Food Equity Council for the City of Chicago.   

Mecca Bey’s extensive background in the medical industry and her passion for empowering people informs her work helping to rebuild communities through healthy lifestyle and social and economic change. Her other passion for learning how to farm organically fuels her work teaching young people the importance of growing your own food organically and teach communities about a sustainable life in urban farming. Today, Mecca is living her purpose as a certified practitioner in holistic wellness, healing circle keeper, community outreach leader, urban farmer and co-creator Sistas in the Village farm. She is also a speaker engaging people about health and wellness as it relates to land, farming and community. 

Dion Dawson is the Founder & Chief Dreamer of Dion’s Chicago Dream, a nonprofit social enterprise combating food insecurity through logistics & last-mile delivery in the Midwest. His system provides fresh produce to the doorsteps of food insecure recipients and has provided millions of pounds of fresh produce annually to the Chicago region food system, with numerous community jobs created and one powerful movement. Dion is an Englewood native, a veteran of the US Navy, and recently earned an award from the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition for his work. 

Nick Davis is a storyteller, DJ, cook, and organizer committed to building compassionate relationships that create capacity for healing, nourishment, and agency for his people. He’s played many roles in the Chicago food system—restaurant cook, community organizer, communications strategist, policy advocate, volunteer coordinator. Today he is the Managing Director for Community Engagement and Communications at the Community Food Navigator and is responsible for increasing coordination in our regional food system, building power among growers of color, and telling stories that move us closer to liberation and life. Nick can be spotted chasing chickens on his friend’s farms and DJing cookouts and House music functions across Chicago. 

Ruby Ferguson is the City of Chicago’s first Food Equity Policy Lead, reporting jointly to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and the Mayor’s Policy Office. Ruby is an innovative leader in nutrition with a decade of experience successfully implementing programming that addresses food insecurity. She believes that nutrition can return power to underserved populations, and thus provide the community with the agency to be an active stakeholder in its own health. Ruby is a registered dietitian and certified lactation specialist whose work has gained her recognition as a Health Equity Champion by the National WIC Association. She is a Phi Betta Kappa graduate of Spelman College and holds Masters degrees from Auburn University and University of Illinois at Chicago.  

Cecilia Cuff is a transformative leader in the hospitality design and development industry, with over 20 years of experience driving a billion+ across the globe. As the founder of The Nascent Group, she has established herself as a leading authority on integrating ESG principles into restaurant, real estate, and hotel developments while also empowering small businesses to scale through sustainable, impactful models. Cuff’s visionary approach is exemplified in her work with clients alongside her personal projects, such as Chicago’s Bronzeville Winery, the South Side Sanctuary, and Stakeout Taos in New Mexico. Under The Nascent Group, Cecilia leads a female-driven team that advises a diverse array of clients, ranging from developers to emerging minority entrepreneurs. Her work consistently centers on sustainability for people, profit, and planet, using business as a powerful force for good. 

Teresa Ging is the CEO & Founder of Sugar Bliss, a woman-minority-owned retail bakery and baked goods company in Chicago. Since 2007, Sugar Bliss has been offering a variety of baked goods, catering services, and corporate gifts. Additionally, Sugar Bliss offers retail packaged cookies at retailers, including Walgreens and Macy’s, and sweets for the Chicago Bears. Teresa has a BA from the University of Chicago and a Patisserie Certificate from Le Cordon Bleu. She has also received numerous awards including the NAWBO Corporate Women Achievement, BMO Harris Celebrating Women, and has been invited by President Obama to attend the signing of the White House Council on Women & Girls. Teresa serves as a Board Member of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. 

Lotika Pai is the City of Chicago’s Chief Small Business Officer, overseeing the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection’s efforts to nurture and grow neighborhood business districts across the city. Prior to joining BACP, Lotika was the Chief Financial Officer for the Women’s Business Development Center. As a former entrepreneur, she is passionate about the opportunity for small businesses to build strong communities and fuel economic growth through job creation. Lotika received the 2021 Entrepreneurial Impact Award by the National Association of Women Business Owners Chicago. She serves on the Advisory Board of the First Women’s Bank in Chicago and was appointed by Governor Pritzker to the Illinois Secure Choice Savings Board.  

As an international DJ, musician, composer, anthropologist, ethnomusicologist, label owner, videographer, Qi Gong instructor, humanitarian, pro-activist, healer, sound scientist and Audio Pharmacology™, Shannon explores obscure territories, regions, genres, styles, and traditions through his work in the Healing Arts. Receiving a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Music as Wellness certificate from the Berklee College of Music, his work bridges the dualities of unconventional futurism and indigenous traditionalism using sound energy. His journey in the fields of art, music, science, and research spans four decades, six continents, and numerous cultural and spiritual traditions. Since 2023, Shannon has worked closely with the Chicago Department of Public Health and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. 

Gerry Holiday, aka Gerardo Cazares, is a first-generation Chicano and Chicago native and muralist with a passion for community engagement. He believes in the power of art to bring people together and inspire positive change, particularly among young artists. Gerry's unique style is a fusion of traditional Mexican folk art and contemporary street art. His murals are a colorful and dynamic reflection of his cultural heritage and personal experiences. He is particularly interested in Chicano muralism and its role in promoting cultural identity and social change. He frequently collaborates with local schools and community organizations to provide workshops and hands-on training in muralism and street art. His goal is to create a new generation of artists who are socially conscious and engaged in their communities. 

Stephanie Horne is a dedicated mental health professional with 12 years of experience working in both the nonprofit and private sectors, including two government agencies. She specializes in providing behavioral and mental health services to at-risk youth, adolescents, and young adults in underserved and marginalized communities. Stephanie is the Director of Mental Health for the Chicago Department of Public Health where she manages interdisciplinary teams, oversees daily program operations, and ensures the delivery of high-quality care. She is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Psychology with a focus on Organizational Leadership.  

Dr. Francisco Rodriguez is the director of the City’s Greater Lawn Health Clinic near Midway Airport. He has been with the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) for more than two decades: first as a clinical therapist and now as part of the leadership team in the mental health bureau. Dr. Rodriguez obtained his master’s in counseling psychology and his Doctorate in clinical psychology from the Adler School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Rodriguez was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at age 17. 

Carrie Shepherd is a reporter at Axios Chicago covering arts, retail, politics, food and stories about the way we live. She spent 15 years at WBEZ where she served many roles, including senior producer of public affairs shows and live election coverage. She was also a reporter, covering mainly arts and culture, including city and state policies, artist profiles, and the economics of the arts world. Her last role at WBEZ was senior editor of news. Carrie left WBEZ in February 2021 to launch the daily news and culture podcast and newsletter City Cast Chicago.  

As City Clerk, Anna Valencia is focused on making government accessible to all Chicagoans. Under her leadership, the Office of the City Clerk prioritizes finding new and innovative ways to bring services directly to residents, increase civic engagement, improve inefficiencies, and collaborate across government in the private and public sectors. Her office is leading a $3.5 million City Council Modernization effort, which includes an e-voting system for the Chicago City Council, the first major U.S. city to implement e-voting. As Clerk Valencia also serves as a Trustee on the Chicago Fire Pension Board and Chairs the “Chicago With You” taskforce.   

Pat Whalen moved to Chicago from Buffalo, NY, in 2005 to attend Columbia College Chicago. Combining his studies in theatre and interest in local government, “Good Evening with Pat Whalen” was born. Modeled after “The Tonight Show,” Good Evening has been produced at venues across the city including The Wieners Circle, Steppenwolf Theatre, Manny’s Deli, and the Cherry Circle Room. Past guests include Governor Pritzker, SNL’s Sarah “Squirm” Sherman, Mayors Lightfoot and Johnson, CBS News’ Robert Costa, Congresswomen Jan Schakowsky and Delia Ramirez, RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Shea Couleé, Chicago Tribune’s Greg Pratt, EPA Admin Debra Shore, and Politico’s White House correspondent Eugene Daniels. You can find Pat on stage (Goodman, Steppenwolf, Jackalope Theatre), on TV (“The Bear,” “Chicago PD”), or looking pensive at nondescript committee meetings at City Hall.  

Jimmy Castillo is the Public Art Program Director at the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Jimmy is an artist, administrator, and educator from Houston, TX, and he has contributed to collaborative projects and exhibitions around Houston, working with MECA, Voices Breaking Boundaries, Project Row Houses, Lawndale Art Center, DiverseWorks, and The Museum of Fine Arts Houston. He received his BFA from the University of Houston (UH) in 2000 and MFA in Photography/Digital Media in 2019. 

Gloria “Gloe” Talamantes is a first-generation Mexican-American mixed media artist, graffiti educator, writer, and cultural worker. Her art consists of mural painting, documenting, curating and organizing to promote community building, self-actualization and healing. She has self-funded several murals across Chicago through the Brown Wall Project, a response to graffiti erasure in Chicago. Gloria has produced public art programming, international mural residencies, and exchanges for artists who intentionally work on civic and justice initiatives through arts integration. She is an artist in residence with the Museum of Contemporary Art’s School Partnership for Art and Civic Engagement program (SPACE) and is a Program Director at the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council. Gloria believes that art is a universal language that can be used to learn, grow, and heal. 

Brett Swinney is a photographer, musician, organizer, producer, videographer, curator, web developer, and podcast producer. He is the Cultural Affairs Coordinator for the Public Art Department at the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). He co-founded AnySquared Projects, an all-volunteer arts collective, and the Real Freedom Projects/Art Leaders of Color Network, initiatives to elevate BIPOC artists and producers. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Brett has organized and curated scores of gallery shows, performances, and community arts events over the previous 25 years.

Juan Sebastian is a strategic and collaborative leader with 15 years of experience working to advance racial equity and social justice in cities. Prior to becoming Executive Director, Juan Sebastian served as First Deputy of Policy under Mayors Brandon Johnson and Lori E. Lightfoot, where he has played a leadership role in stewarding strategic policy initiatives, including the landmark 2022 Connected Communities (Equitable Transit-Oriented Development) Ordinance, the We Will Chicago citywide plan, establishing Chicago's first ever Food Equity Council, and advancing the Bring Chicago Home proposal to generate dedicated revenue for addressing homelessness, among other initiatives. 

Tammy Chase is Director of Communications for the CTA’s $5.3 billion Red Line Extension and $2.1 billion Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One projects. In her role, she co-manages the communications and public outreach team for the largest construction projects in CTA history that are modernizing CTA’s busiest rail line. Chase previously served as Director of Communications and Media Relations for CTA from 2012 to 2018 and as Deputy Commissioner for the Chicago Department of Aviation from 2011-2012. Earlier in her career, Chase was a journalist at the Chicago Sun-Times, Bloomberg News and other news organizations. Chase is a mom of three kids and is a runner.  

Jasmine Gunn is a City Planner for the Far South Region with the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development. Her role includes working with community stakeholders to bring about design excellence projects that are equitable and sustainable development. In addition to working within neighborhoods, Jasmine is the lead DPD staff working with the Chicago Transit Authority on the $3.6 billion Red Line Extension project and transit-supportive development plan. Jasmine holds a Professional Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.) from Iowa State University and a Master's degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. 

Cheryl Johnson serves as People for Community Recovery’s (PCR) Executive Director. She is the daughter of the late Ms. Hazel Johnson who founded PCR and is known as the Mother of Environmental Justice. Cheryl learned the fundamentals of community organizing from her mother and carries on the work of PCR’s mission to enhance the quality of life of residents living in communities affected by pollution. A lifelong resident of Altgeld Gardens, Cheryl is a well-known and highly trusted community leader. Cheryl’s deep community connection and long-term vision for a thriving Far South Side and commitment to carrying her late mother’s legacy fuels her work. Cheryl recently served on the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Justice Advisory Council, the Illinois Environmental Justice Commission, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s transition Environmental Justice Subcommittee. Cheryl currently serves on the National Environmental Protection Act subcommittee. 

Andrea Reed has been the Executive Director for the Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce (GRCC) since its inception in April 2009. The Chamber’s mission is to attract, stimulate, rehabilitate, and transform the Greater Roseland community. Andrea is a tireless advocate for the Roseland community and has participated in many local initiatives to improve her community’s access to equitable transit options. Andrea is a 2021 Goldin Institute Chicago Peace Fellow. 

2nd Story offers real stories by real people for real change. For over 25 years, they have created spaces where people can share and deeply listen to each other’s stories. 2nd Story hosts events in and around Chicago that elevate the storyteller’s words to deliver a unique, live, literary/theatrical experience unlike any other in the city. From small bars in Rogers Park and North Center, to big venues in Lakeview and the West Loop, to restaurants in Lincoln Park and Evanston, they produce over 50 events every season and facilitate over 145 artistic collaborations. 

Jasmin Cardenas is a bilingual storyteller, arts educator, social activist, and life-long Chicagoan who has traveled the country telling stories. Jasmin was a Featured Teller at The 51st Annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN, and her recently released album “Cuentos from the Americas” won the 2024 Storytelling World Award. Using an interactive form of theater for discussion and critical analysis called Theater of the Oppressed, she works in communities mobilizing Chicagoans to explore issues of power and conflict in order to reimagine a more inclusive city.  She has focused this work as a co-founder of WorkersTEATRO which uses theater to amplify worker voices and advocate for Labor Laws. As a SAG-AFTRA actress, mom, and adventurer, she’s always spinning plates. Wish her luck as tomorrow she heads to Tennessee to be the Teller-in-Residence at the International Storytelling Center, where she will perform every day for a week!

Ali Drumm (she/her/hers) is an arts administrator, production manager, and event coordinator. She is also a certified COVID-19 Compliance Officer in both Theatre Production and Patron Safety. Ali has previously worked with Lookingglass, Steppenwolf, the House Theatre of Chicago, and others. As a project manager in the corporate world, Ali has helped to develop and facilitate DEI and Belonging e-learning and virtual workshops for Fortune 500 companies across retail, manufacturing, technology, and hospitality. Ali currently lives in Albany Park with her wife and a menagerie of pets. 

Jess Hutchinson is a director, dramaturg, and arts administrator. Driven by a desire to make work in the nonprofit sector more humane, equitable, and sustainable, she aims to center authenticity, collaboration, and compassion in all aspects of her work. She previously served as the Director of Engagement for the National New Play Network (NNPN) and has held roles in arts education at the Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and the University of Chicago.   

Lynnette Li is a Chicago-based actor, singer, writer, music teacher, and mom. In addition to the myriad acting credits in Chicago theater, she also portrays Nurse Nancy on “Chicago Med” (NBC), Seasons 6-8. Lynnette teaches Music Together® classes with marshasmusic.com. She currently serves on the 2nd Story Board of Directors, and has previously been involved with the Hyde Park Parent Support Network and the Lab School Families for Anti-Racism. She lives with her spouse and their two children in Hyde Park. Lynnette is a member of SAG-Aftra, serving on the National Asian Pacific American Media Committee, and is represented by Shirley Hamilton, Inc. 

Vince Pagán-Hill is a native Chicagoan, consultant, and small business owner. After receiving a B.A. in Drama from Ithaca College, Vince taught with theatre and social justice institutions all over Chicago, including Goodman Theatre, Adventure Stage Chicago, and Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers. For the past eight years, he has worked with Morten Group, LLC, a national consulting firm dedicated to equity in the nonprofit, for profit, and foundation landscapes. In addition to his consulting work, Vince is trained as a teaching artist and is an avid storyteller, which brought him to 2nd Story in 2012. Vince's love of story and passion for baking prompted the start of Vince the Baker, his baking business, in 2017.   

Liz Rice began working with 2nd Story as part of the 2013/2014 Directors Ensemble and fell in love with the company. Over the years, she has directed, produced, or curated 25+ stories. These days, she supports 2nd Story as the Manager of Curriculum & Education and as the Company Manager. On her artistic journey, Liz has worked with Lifeline Theatre, City-Lit Theater, a-squared theatre, and others. She is currently a board member for the Arts & Business Council. In her free time, when not rolling dice/slaying dragons, or learning about dystopian futures, Liz likes to feed people, cook, and eat. Always in that order.

Jeff Schaller is a composer, music educator, songwriter, and performer. He is a graduate of Illinois State University where he studied composition with Martha Horst and Carl Schimmel. He has attended the 2014 and 2017 editions of highSCORE Music Festival in Pavia, Italy, the 2018 soundSCAPE Festival in Cesena, Italy, the 2019 VIPA festival in Valencia, Spain, and the 2015 International Music Festival of the Adriatic in Duino, Italy. At each festival Schaller composed various pieces for collaboration and performance. In 2016, Lakeview Orchestra premiered his Piece for Orchestra in Chicago. Schaller continues to study composition under Chicago composer Lawrence Axelrod while also building his own new music ensemble. Currently, he teaches Kindergarten through eighth grade general music in Chicago Public Schools and plays Double Bass in various community orchestras throughout the Chicagoland area.