2022

  Bridgett grew up on the Southside of Chicago. A graduate of Northwestern University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Studies, Bridgett is a Certified Billing and Coding Specialist and the Assistant Manager of the Medical Billing Department at University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry. Bridgett is an 8 year breast cancer survivor! She brings breast cancer awareness to her family, church, coworkers , community and friends. She enjoys mentoring women and has crafted handmade bracelets for breast care centers for women going through their breast cancer journey and for breast cancer survivors. Bridgett attends Rock of Our Salvation Church, where her husband Robert L. Stevenson is the Senior Pastor. Bridgett and Pastor Rob have 3 children, and 3 grandchildren.

 Educator, Activist & leader of an Oak Park area not for profit- Suburban Unity Alliance. Suburban Unity Alliance’s mission is to promote unity through the realization of equitable community practices that showcase diversity.  He is a believer in both the power of one, as well as the worth in coming together as a community to pushback against racism, discrimination and marginalization. He is a beloved educator and has even run twice for office as he believes we are here to give back in some way shape or form. He has done a lot of work surrounding food insecurity-creating community fridges. Anthony co-organized a huge benefit for Beyond Hunger and a group of community groups supporting residents who are in need.  

 A native of Tamaulipas, Mexico, Florencia Carmona was raised in the Pilsen neighborhood as a young immigrant of 4 years old, and has since lived in the Chicagoland area. Florencia’s experience with AT&T and BP Global, afforded her experience in Management and Project coordination. Since 2013, she has worked at Sinai Community Institute. She is a Health Educator in Community Relations focusing on educating families with better living habits. She is the resource point of contact. Her bi-cultural background and commitment on community collaboration has led her to serve as Board Member at Centro Communtario Juan Diego and Westside Pastor’s Coalition for Aids and as a member in the Make a Wish Foundation, Cisco and Cisco and Oro Latino Committees.  

Nizhoni Ward, daughter of LeAnn Osby and older sister of four, is a senior at Homewood Floosmoor High School. With a 3.75 (unweighted) GPA, she is described as kind, hardworking and academically mature. She has received pageant titles including Jr Miss Indian Chicago, Miss Indian Chicago and Miss Teen Globe United states. She started her business called Nizhoni Hozho Co that funds her Nizhoni Hozho Project that donated 500+ masks and 100+ ribbon skirts and Native beaded earrings to schools across the United States. She advocates for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, the Every Child Matters Movement, alcohol abuse, women’s rights, Native American rights, mental health awareness and gifts holiday totes to cancer patients at La Rabida Children’s Hospital annually. 

Khylie Aiello is the daughter of Shamika Gill-Browder. She currently attends Oak Park and River Forest High School where she is a part of the Drill Team and maintains a 3.944 (unweighted) 4.64 (weighted) GPA.  A dancer since the age of two, Khylie is an elite advanced dancer on Xtreme’s top division and a member of the National Honor Society of Dance Arts which can only be attained through countless hours in dance class and a high GPA. With 7 shows under her belt, she also took private voice lessons, played the drums in multiple bands and took part in summer Camp called "Girls Rock Chicago" for 5 years. Her teachers describe her as sharp, dedicated, diligent, positive and enjoyable.