TONIKA JOHNSON
PHOTOGRAPHER & ACTIVIST
Tonika Johnson is a visual artist/photographer from Chicago’s South Side Englewood neighborhood. She was featured in Chicago Magazine as a 2017 Chicagoan of the Year for her photography of Englewood's everyday beauty, countering its pervasive media coverage of poverty and crime.
KATE SCHMIDGALL
EDITOR & FOUNDER OF BITTERSWEET MONTHLY
Owner and Director at Bittersweet Creative. Kate founded the company in 2009 built on the premise that art and design have the unique power to transform statistics into stories and awareness into action.
MELISSA HENNESSY
FOUNDER HENNESSY REPS
A photographer turned agent, and now educator and consultant, Melissa is helping other visual artists grow their confidence and self-worth so they can find their audience and market more effectively to grow their businesses. A freelancer’s champion and cheerleader, she lives by the mantra, “The dream is free, the hustle is sold separately.”
MARTIN WOODS
OPERA VOCALIST
Martin L. Woods is a classically trained yet multifaceted Vocalist who has performed all over the world. Martin’s professional concert and operatic debuts include performances on the stages of The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Atlanta opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Goodman Theater.
a jazz multi-instrumentalist (mainly a percussionist) and composer. During the 1970s, he formed the musical groups Ritual Trio and the Ethnic Heritage Ensemble. Kahil EL'Zabar has collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Cannonball Adderley, Paul Simon, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Roy Ayers.
Dr. El'Zabar received a doctorate from Lake Forest College, IL, (PHD Interdisciplinary/Arts) in May 2006. Sir Kahil El'Zabar was Knighted by the Counsel General of France for his international contributions to the arts as a performer, educator, and curator, in 2014, making him an official Chevalier (Knight of the Arts). El'Zabar is also co-scored arrangements for the highly acclaimed theatrical version of Disney's,"The Lion King".
Kahil El Zabar
Artist & Musician
TRUE CHICAGO'S IMPACT
True Chicago is run by creatives for creatives, and with so many amazing things happening for the creative community of Chicago, we are excited to be of service.
True Chicago is a growing non-profit dedicated to supporting the development of artists aged 15-25 through mentorship, education, and work opportunities. We believe in the value of showcasing emerging and high-level artists while exercising the power of impact, by challenging individuals to use their gifts to give back to their communities. Your contribution to the development of emerging Chicago artists enables TC to produce programs that help energize, educate, and empower a new generation of creatives.
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