City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Held a Celebration of Black Learner Excellence, Shared Best Practices that Are Increasing Black Student Achievement and Celebrated Three People Who Have Shown Leadership, Resilience, and Excellence (Chicago,, IL) – (February 14, 2025) – The City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) Foundation held a Celebration of Black Learner Excellence at Malcolm X College (1900 W. Jackson Street in Chicago)on February 13, 2025 to share how, along with its incredible partners and through its learning agenda, it is successfully supporting students, resulting in improved student outcomes, especially for Black students. In doing this work, City Colleges is putting students on the path to upward mobility and generational wealth.
“Black student success is essential to our mission of supporting all our students. I am proud that we are increasing Black student enrollment and outcomes, and know with the investments our community is making, we will do even more,” said President of the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation, Executive Vice Chancellor – Institutional Advancement and Chief of Staff and Chief of Staff at City Colleges, Veronica Herrero. “I’m also thrilled to honor three special people who are changing lives through their service to our community.”
“Education and equity are the cornerstones of economic development, laying the foundation for a thriving, inclusive future. At Intersect Illinois, we understand that empowering Black learners and fostering equitable access to education are not just moral imperatives but economic necessities. City Colleges of Chicago exemplifies the transformative impact of investing in education, cultivating talent, and creating opportunities that fuel our state’s growth and prosperity,” said President and CEO Christy George, Intersect Illinois.
City Colleges and all its supporters are committed to supporting Black students—and all its students—so that they can achieve their ambitions, fuel Chicago’s economy, and become leaders in our communities and for our city. To that end, the event celebrated recent achievements, including a record increase in Black student credit enrollment since Fall 2021 (+35% for Black male students; +28% for Black female students). It also introduced the bold goal that by 2032, 55% of credential-seeking students new to City Colleges will earn a degree, certificate or transfer to a bachelor’s degree-granting institution within four years of starting at City Colleges – across all racial groups.
“As the Higher Education Appropriations Committee Chairman, I know that higher education is a vital pathway to the workforce so that’s why I remain committed to being a strong advocate for our students and the leadership of these institutions. The success of our Black learners, all learners, is essential as we build a stronger and more equitable Chicago and all of Illinois,” said Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford.
In addition, three remarkable individuals were honored at the event – individuals who are champions of Black learners and who are changing Chicago communities through their work and service to others. This year’s honorees were:
Civic Leader Award:
Illinois State Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Representative Ford’s leadership and advocacy has been instrumental in advancing opportunities for Black learners in Chicago. His unwavering commitment to the success of Black students continues to make a profound impact on our city’s educational landscape.
Legacy Award:
Ellen Alberding
As retired President of the Joyce Foundation and former member of the City Colleges of Chicago Board of Trustees, Ellen Alberding has played a pivotal role in advancing access to education and opportunity, significantly influencing the City Colleges of Chicago community.
Educator Excellence in Equity Award:
Tammy Scott-Brand, Dean of Nursing, Malcolm X College
Dean Scott-Brand has impacted countless City Colleges students, driving both academic success and life-changing opportunity. Her efforts have empowered students to achieve their full potential, making a lasting difference in the local healthcare landscape.
“When we invest in education, we invest in the unlimited potential of our students, their lives, and our communities. I’m very honored to have won the Equity Award, however, seeing City Colleges of Chicago students succeed is truly my greatest reward,” said Dean of Nursing Tammy Scott-Brand (MSN-ED, RN), Malcolm X College.
Special thanks to our partners and sponsors: Loop Capital, The Joyce Foundation, Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation, Judith and Edwin Cohen Family Foundation, Mark and Rachel Hoplamazian, John and Bonnie Atkinson, Northwestern Medicine, and SNtial.
For more information on the City Colleges of Chicago Foundation and its Celebration of Black Learner Excellence event click here or visit https://foundation.ccc.edu/black-learner-excellence/. For more information about City Colleges of Chicago visit www.ccc.edu or call 773-COLLEGE.
City Colleges of Chicago Foundation Held a Celebration of Black Learner Excellence, Shared Best Practices that Are Increasing Black Student Achievement and Celebrated Three People Who Have Shown Leadership, Resilience, and Excellence
