Tameeka has spent over 20 years working for social and economic justice in disinvested communities across the Chicagoland Region. Her passion for equity stems from her deep roots in and love for Chicagoland communities in which she has lived, worked, and served throughout her life. As a committed community servant, Tameeka has championed the creation and implementation of four Quality-of-Life Plans engaging hundreds of community residents. These plans have led to the launch of many community initiatives that led to multimillions of dollars in investments in communities on the South and West Sides of Chicago. She has been an advocate for youth employment, quality housing, economic and criminal justice, and access to quality healthcare by serving as a thought leader and working with coalitions to address social and health disparities in local communities across Chicago. As a Community Development Practitioner, she has supported organizations and community groups with program/project development, design, implementation, and evaluation, community and organization capacity building, team building, and leadership development, as well as facilitate strategic planning and consensus-building workshops. Tameeka embodies the core values of integrity, ingenuity, and openness, which lend to her humble leadership style. She is always willing to serve as a mentor, coach, thought partner, or friend. She enjoys having one-to-one conversations and building relationships with those who are equally as passionate about working for the betterment of the community. She has been recognized by Westside Women Unite, Congressman Danny Davis as a Community Hero, The North Lawndale Eagles Football Team for my commitment to serving in the North Lawndale community, and Saint Anthony Hospital as an outstanding leader. Most recently, Tameeka was the Program Manager overseeing the Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund, where she was responsible for the grantmaking process for over 40 organizations on Chicago’s Westside and saw the Fund to its sunset in 2020. Tameeka is currently launching Mocha 24 a community-based coffee lounge and is the Principal Director of Empowerment Culture, a community development consulting firm. Tameeka recently graduated with her PH.D. from National Louis University and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Firehouse Community Arts Center, Chicago Cares, and AMPT-Advancing Nonprofits (a new organization supporting capacity building for local nonprofits). In her previous roles, she has worked as a Program Officer for Neighborhood Networks Team at LISC/Chicago, Director of Community Development at Saint Anthony Hospital, and Community Organizer for Lawndale Christian Development Corporation. Tameeka was born, raised on the Westside of Chicago, and has one son, Joshua.