OUR MISSION
True Chicago supports the diverse and equitable development of young creatives and artists by providing programs and opportunities that connect young artists with emerging and established creative professionals. With an intentional focus on black and brown creatives ages 15-25, we provide education and mentorship that develop an artist’s work and expand the perception of viable careers in the creative arts.
OUR VISION
True Chicago strives to educate, expand, and energize creatives by encouraging them to use their creative voices with confidence. It is our intention to use our events and programming to inspire artists to challenge themselves and the world around them. Through their artistic practice we believe each person has the power to illustrate stories that evoke deeper meaning and become part of our culture, and in that success, give back to their communities.
OUR VALUES
COMMUNITY is our most valuable gift.
Honest STORYTELLING is necessary for positive change.
We value EDUCATION as the process to unlock our purpose.
We believe in the impact of YOUTH ASSEMBLY.
We believe that a DIVERSE and INCLUSIVE community is the foundation for progress.
OUR HISTORY
True Chicago was founded by David Johnson in 2017 as a means of challenging creatives to give of their knowledge and time to empower Chicago’s youth through creativity and the arts. True began as a community of artists working to create space for gathering young creatives and career mentorship. Through consistent investment in the future of young artists, True Chicago has built a space for growth grounded in community.
OUR TEAM

DAVID JOHSNON
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

DORIAN RUSHING
VICE PRESIDENT

MELISSA HENNESSY
SECRETARY

WALTER JOHNSON
TREASURER

KAT TUSHIM
BOARD MEMEBER

SCOTT GOLDSTEIN
BOARD MEMBER

TUAN HUYNH
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

NICOLE HUMPHREY
CO-ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

BRANDON RITTER
DIRECTOR MARKETING &
COMMUNICATIONS

DANIELLE FINK
MANAGING PRODUCER

MARQUELL OLIVER
DIRECTOR COMMUNITY
GROWTH

LENA HOWARD
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
PAST CONTRIBUTORS

ELISE SWOPES
Photographer & Designer, Brand Partnerships

COLBY LEWIS
Hamilton Actor & Producer

TONIKA JOHNSON
Photographer & Activist

COREY GILKEY
Founder, Leaders 1354 & Boxville

MELISSA HENNESSY
Founder Hennessy Reps

DAVID CHOI
Founder, Seoul Taco

SCOTT GOLDSTEIN
Artist & Entrepreneur

ROSS KIMBALL
Writer & Actor

SCOOP JACKSON
Sports & Culture Journalist, ESPN

MARCUS SMITH
Photographer

SENTROCK
Artist

TRASHHAND
Photographer

LIZ MILLER GERSHFLED
Exec Art Producer, Energy BBDO

TUAN HUYNH
Senior Art Director, Leo Burnett

KAT TUSHIM
Creative Director, Upshot

DAVE MATA
DJ, Founder, Soul Summit

KATE SCHMIDGALL
Director, Founder of Bittersweet
True Chicago Connect
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