Dear Friends,
Welcome to Seeds of Change: Seeding Solidarity, Crossroads Fund’s annual fundraising event that pools resources to support movements for justice while honoring and celebrating our collective organizing for a more just world.
The theme of Seeds of Change this year, Seeding Solidarity, and the design of all the invitation materials are a reflection of the times. We witness the devastation of extractive systems rooted in white supremacy, racial capitalism, colonialism, and heteropatriarchy. A political crisis in one country abroad and created by global powers ripples into people forced to migrate to another country. Death and destruction in one geographic region results in worldwide grief, rage, and a loss of humanity. Taxes paid in one country churns a global war machine that seems unrelenting in its brutality. And yet, we also witness grassroots movements respond with actions rooted in the hope for an alternative world. Mutual aid, collective care, and bold activism allows us to move through seemingly impossible circumstances. Thus, Seeding Solidarity is both a steadfast commitment to movements for justice and the nurturing of these movements for the long haul.
This year the design for the invitation materials are influenced and inspired by our sibling fund, Hawai’i Peoples Fund in Hawai’i. During a recent gathering of social justice funds across the country, Hawai’i People’s Fund immersed us in the politics of land stewardship, the sacredness of culture and language, and the gift of indigenous wisdom. Unfortunately, shortly after the visit, devastating wildfires broke out in Lahaina on the island of Maui, leaving a lasting impact on its communities and natural habitats.
In the midst of all the above, we carve out time to celebrate our movements for justice with a deep appreciation of what we accomplish together. We celebrate the bonds of friendship, chosen family, and community that carry us through challenging times. Finally, we celebrate and take comfort in the conviction that we are on the right side of history and we embody the collective liberation we seek every day.
With deep gratitude and solidarity,
Ron Sable Award for Activism
The Ron Sable Award for Activism is a living memorial to a man whose leadership and vision continue to inspire others to take up the hard work he left behind. Ron worked across issues and communities, fighting for the rights of gays and lesbians, women and reproductive rights, just treatment of prisoners, and national health care. He helped develop services for individuals with HIV/AIDS at Cook County Hospital, he was an active member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he was a founder of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and he pioneered as one of the first openly gay candidates for alderman in Chicago. Ron also served on the Crossroads Fund Board of Directors for ten years.
Each year, Crossroads Fund honors an exceptional individual or group that reflects Ron’s commitment to progressive change and the interconnectedness of issues and struggles across communities.
UNITED WORKING FAMILIES
United Working Families is an independent political organization by and for working-class people of color that works in coalition to build a strong progressive base at the city, county, and state levels. Their work has shifted the political terrain of Chicago and provided a model for other organizations around the country. United Working Families and their members are vital to the public good and we are proud to honor their collective efforts.
Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award
The Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award recognizes the founder of the Synapses Foundation, which was dissolved in 2007, with the assets serving as an endowment gift to Crossroads Fund. The annual endowment payout helps to support grantmaking.
Don taught geography, history and social studies at Calumet High School. He was a committed activist for social justice, and worked to end human rights violations across the globe. Don was also an avid supporter of Christian Peacemaker Teams, and specified that the Synapses Foundation continue to fund that organization for as long as they exist. Don had a great sense of humor, and additionally requested that the Synapses Foundation money support political sketch comedy. Crossroads Fund is grateful and honored to remember Don and his work for social change by presenting this award in his memory.
STOP COP CITY - ATLANTA
Crossroads Fund is proud to honor Stop Cop City - Atlanta for their work to stop the construction of a police training facility on 381-acres of Weelaunee Forest. Stop Cop City - Atlanta is a decentralized movement made up of abolitionists, forest defenders, and community members mobilizing people throughout the world, including Chicago. We are in solidarity with their work to defend the Weelaunee Forest and ensure Cop City will never be built.
Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice
Crossroads Fund is proud to present the Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice, which was funded by Lynda’s family and friends in celebration of her life.
Lynda Tipton leaves a deep and rich history advocating for workers’ rights and racial justice. She was an early staff member of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union and a union representative for SEIU Local 73, where she represented clerical, janitorial, and technician staff for ten years. She was a founding member of the Interracial Family Network, a group to support the biracial identity of youth and their parents. Lynda was also a grassroots activist who marched for civil rights, women’s rights, and against the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Crossroads Fund honors Lynda and celebrates the intersectionality of issues for which she so fiercely fought.
PEOPLE FOR COMMUNITY RECOVERY
People for Community Recovery works to enhance the quality of life of residents living in communities affected by environmental pollution. Their advocacy, education, and organizing has advanced community organizing at the intersection of environmental, economic, racial, and gender justice. We are excited to uplift the work they have been doing for decades to build power towards equity and community self-determination.
SPONSORSHIPS
Thank You to our Sponsors!
(as of 3/25/2024)
Trailblazer: $10,000 and above
Anonymous
Chicago Teachers Union Foundation
Sue Eleuterio & Tom Sourlis
Resource Generation
Woods Fund Chicago
Changemakers: $7,500 - $9,999
Mainstream Media
Catalysts: $5,000 – $7,499
Builders Vision
Chicago Beyond
Grand Victoria Foundation
Visionaries: $2,500 – $4,999
Center for the Study of Race, Politics, and Culture
Jill Eid & Mike Papp
Irving Harris Foundation
The Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
Movers & Shakers: $1,000 – $2,499
Michael Aguhar & Irina Zadov
AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits
Kay Berkson
Martha Biondi
CIBC Bank
Evette Cardona & Mona Noriega
Joy Clendenning
James & Megan Murray Cusick
John D'Emilio
Jani Hoft & Linda Wagner
Danbee Kim
Jeanne Kracher & Laura McAlpine
Julian Grace Foundation
Gordon Mayer & Kate Graham
Joey Mogul
Barbara Ransby & Peter Sporn
Rincon Family Services
Ronna Stamm & Paul Lehman
Third Wave Fund
Roxy Trudeau
Stewards: $750-$999
Mollie Anderson & Al Rosenberg
Gary & Katie Arnold
Alice Cottingham
Shelley Davis & Omar McRoberts
Jeff Edwards
Fifth Third Bank
Kheira Issaoui-Mansouri
Julia Klein
Skyler Larrimore
Gia Super
Sponsors: $350 – $749
Molly Armour
Missy Carpenter
Nancy Fleck Myers
Sue Foran
HANA Center
Mia Henry
Terrence Keleher
Alice Kim
Nora Kyger & Bill Foster
Sharmili Majmudar
Mary Morten & Willa Taylor
Jon Quinn
Race Conscious Dialogues
Ana Romero-Diaz
Elyse Schauer
Tom Wilson
Women Unite
INSPIRATION, INFLUENCE, IMPACT
Jill Eid & Mike Papp would like to honor the Crossroads Fund Team; “We are so grateful for your enduring commitment to social justice and community empowerment. Your passion, resilience, and vision, reaffirms our collective commitment to building a more just and equitable society where every voice is valued and heard. Thank you for being you!”
Tom Wilson would like to honor Susan Aarup for her devoted work with ADAPT, Healing to Action and Northside Action for Justice.
Emmanuel Garcia would like to honor activist and community organizer Reyna Ortiz for her dedication to trans and queer youth in Chicago.
Nouha Boundaoui honors Niki Heer and Nathan Palmer for their unflinching solidarity, thoughtful leadership, and love for our people as demonstrated by their work in Chicago's #StopShotSpotter campaign. Thank you for your brilliance and care!
Danbee Kim would like to honor artist and organizer Asha Edwards for her commitment to abolitionist movements and arts activism in Chicago.
Laura Leon and Jane Norton would like to honor the late Christine Geovanis; “For your powerhouse organizing for social justice.”
Alan Paberzs is proud to honor Jessyca Dudley for her commitment to advancing racial equity and leadership in the philanthropic community.
Skyler Larrimore would like to honor Graciela Guzmán; “For her years of organizing for healthcare justice and mutual aid. Now she's bringing her community-rooted leadership to the IL Senate!”
Gary Arnold would like to honor Candace Coleman; “For her commitment to social and racial justice at the intersection between disability and housing, education, employment and civil rights.”
AUCTION ITEMS
Thank You to our Auction Donors!
(as of 3/26/23)
Aaron Gallery
About Face Theater
Alcala's Western Wear
Annette's Italian Ice
Antique Taco
Lourdes Arias
Avondale Bowl
Avondale Gardening Alliance
William C. Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn
Big Delicious Planet
Bill Barclay and Peg Strobel
Michele Beaulieux
Bloomin' Spindle
Juana Boksa/Good Girl Ella
Laura Botwinick/SoNa Chicago Art Gallery
Dr. Rabia Boundaoui
Daniel Andrew Boyd
Michael Bridges
Busy Beaver Button Company
Nichole Brown/Neecolaaa Yoga
Jessica Burg
Jen Byrd
Chicago Cuatro Orchestra Project
Chicago Fair Trade
Chicago Mahogany Tours
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra
City Winery
Clandestino
Erica Clark
Community Tavern
Concern America
Consume Vintage
Cosmicos Pet Bakery
Drunk Shakespeare
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Early to Bed
Earth Cadets
Estereo
James and Janet Fennerty
First Ascent
Jean Fishbeck
Five Point Holistic Health
Fred Follansbee
Lizzie Fowler/Feuille Ceramics
Iva Freeman
Mirentxu Ganzarain
Teresa Garcia
Lizette Garza
Gene Siskel Film Center
Gethsemane Garden Center
Giving Project 2023 Cohort
Good Omen
Goodman Theatre
Mac Grambauer
Great Lakes Tattoo
Glenance Green
Norbert Green
Jillian Gryzlak
Patricia J. Handlin and Flint Taylor
Harebrained
Harris Theater
Haymarket Books
Hazel
Carina Hoyer
Insect Asylum
IO Theatre
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jerry's Sandwiches
Tim Jones-Yelvington
Just Seeds
JUSTIce Cream
Abha Kapila
Susan R. Kaplan
Kartemquin Films
Keep It Savory
Leigh Kelsey/Rhymes with Twee
Danbee Kim
Koval Distillery
Nora Kyger
Las Crafty Anties
Beth LeFauve and Mark Roe
Rebekah Levin and Sophie Kaluziak
Liberation Library
Lifeline Theatre
Lilla Barn
Lillstreet Art Center
Cherie R. Lockett
Lula Cafe
M. Henry
Katie Madden
Naomi Martinez/Monstrochika
Marz Brewing Co.
Gordon Mayer
Lillian McCartin and Brad Thomson
Yesica E. Morfin/Made a Mano
Museum Of Illusions
Music Box Theatre
The Music of the Baroque
National Museum Of Mexican Art
Neo-Futurists
Nerfect Art Novelties
Arionne Nettles
Oceanique
One Of a Kind Show Chicago
Perkolator
Pie Pie My Darling
Diego B. Prados/Bus Stop Paintings
Production Mode
The Promontory
Purple and Lime, Inc.
Leslie Ramyk
Randolph Street Market
Rebuilding Exchange
Red Light Chicken
Rep Chi
Sarah-Ji Rhee
RIP Repurposed
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
Dianna Rodriguez/Light & Love Soaps
Roeser's Bakery
Kristina Roque
Azucena Sanchez
Sanctuary Health
Seguin Gardens and Gifts
Seminary Co-Op Bookstore
Silver Room
Dick Simpson
Skydeck Chicago
Steve Slaske
Sourlis Glass Studio
Debbie Southorn
Sparrow Hair Salon
Ray Suarez
Kathy Swanson
Sweet Maple Café
Tacotlan
Tennis On The Lake
Threadless
Tightrope Recording
Jennifer Trok
Truth Be Told Restaurant
Alexia Trzyna
Twisted Scissors
Uptown Bikes
Robert Valadez
Sara B. Varon
Vosges Haut Chocolate
Wake N' Bakery
WE-ACTx
Donna Wildearth
Wolfbait & B-Girls
Women & Children First
Amanda Yos/Knot.Yos
HOST COMMITTEE
Thank You to our Host Committee!
(As of 2/23/24)
Tony Alvarado-Rivera
Makkah Ali*
Mollie Anderson*
Emmanuel Andre*
Gary & Katie Arnold
Becky Belcore & Chris Williams
Devonta "Tae" Boston
Nouha Nacer Boundaoui
Evette Cardona & Mona Noriega
Missy Carpenter*
Inhe Choi
Ann Christophersen & Amy Blumenthal
Michael Collins & Cat Greim
Alice Cottingham
James & Megan Murray Cusick
Shelley Davis & Omar McRoberts
Cecile DeMello*
Lee Dewey*
Jill Eid & Mike Papp
Sue Eleuterio & Tom Sourlis
Hanan El-Youssef*
Roxana Enriquez*
Ruth & Dale Fast
Denise Ferguson
Nancy Fleck Myers
Sharlyn Grace
Brock Grenn
Caronina Grimble
Rhoda Rae Gutierrez & Jim Clark
Tracie Hall*
Abbey Hambright & Ben Santos
Pat Handlin
Jani Hoft & Linda Wagner
Alheli Irizarry*
Katelyn Johnson*
Gabriel Jones*
Susan Kaplan
Alice Kim
Danbee Kim
Julia Klein
Jeanne Kracher & Laura McAlpine
Nora Kyger & Bill Foster
Skyler Larrimore*
Laura León
Rebekah Levin & Sophie Kaluziak
Cherie Lockett
Sharmili Majmudar & Laura Noah
Gordon Mayer & Kate Graham
Agnes Meneses
Joey Mogul
Mary F. Morten & Willa J. Taylor
Gina Olson & Amy Johnson
Alan Paberzs
Chandra Palmer*
Amisha Patel & Neena Hemmady
Maru Pauta
Jon Quinn*
Barbara Ransby & Peter Sporn
Ireri Rivas Mier y Teran *
Brittany Roque
Muhammad Sankari*
Margie Schaps
Dick Simpson
Debbie Southorn
Roxy Trudeau
Thelma Uranga
Tom Wilson & Susan Aarup
*Also a Crossroads Fund Board Member
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
Bindu Alexander
Dan Boyd
Mariah Brown
Eliot Colin
Daniella Cortez
Lee Dewey
Blanca Garza
Natalia Garza
Lolo Henderson
Alheli Irizarry
Gabriel Jones
Kenneth Gilliam Jr
Mariah Kadan
Sophie Kaluziak
Skyler Larrimore
Rebekah Levin
Garvey Madden
Latonya Maley
Adrian Molina
Nia Oden-McCann
Chandra Palmer
Jaeden Roque
Edgar Roque
Cristian Sotelo
Armanni Varela
Tammy Woods
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Makkah Ali
Mollie Anderson (Co-Chair)
Emmanuel Andre
Missy Carpenter
Cecile De Mello
Lee Andel Dewey
Hanan El-Youssef
Roxana Enriquez (Co-Chair)
Tracie D. Hall
Alhelí M. Irizarry
Katelyn Johnson
Gabriel Jones
Skyler Larrimore
Chandra Palmer
Jon Quinn
Treasurer
Ireri Rivas
Muhammad Sankari
STAFF
Michael Aguhar, Program Director
Emmanuel Garcia, Development and Communications Director
Lizette Garza, Program Director
Jane Kimondo, Executive Director
Katie Madden, Development Manager
Joanna Preston, Program Associate
Kristina Roque, Operations Director
Alexis Sanchez-Boyzo, Communications Associate
Makiko Yamauchi, Finance Manager
Thank You to everyone who purchased an advertisement!