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Enhancing Lives Award Honoree

Tameeka Christian, Ph.D. is Director of the Pritzker Community Health Initiative at the J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation, where she oversees a portfolio of more than $10 million in investments to reduce health disparities across Illinois. In this role, she leads systems-level strategies that address the intersection of health, housing and homelessness, and the criminal justice system, advancing cross-sector solutions for populations with complex needs.

Tameeka has worked across public, private, and nonprofit sectors, with a focus on advancing community-driven solutions to address complex social and economic challenges. Tameeka previously served as the Program Manager for the Advocate Bethany Community Health Fund, where she was responsible for grantmaking to over 40 organizations on Chicago’s Westside. A Chicago native, her commitment to the city’s well-being was also evident during her tenures as Program Officer for Neighborhood Networks at LISC/Chicago, as Director of Community Development at Saint Anthony Hospital, and as Community Organizer for Lawndale Christian Development Corporation.

In 2020, Tameeka received her Doctorate Degree in Community Psychology from National Louis University. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Covenant House-Illinois, and as the Board Secretary of Chicago Cares. She serves on advisory committees for several other efforts including Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness Together and Chicago African Americans in Philanthropy. Tameeka’s accomplishments were recognized in her selection as a Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow class of 2023.

Keynote Speaker

Bobby has more than 30 years of experience in administration, direct service, and implementation of homeless health services, beginning as a live-in counselor at the NYC Rescue Mission. Prior to joining the Council, he spent most of his career at an FQHC agency in NYC that operated shelters and conducted policy analysis and advocacy. He has served numerous boards, government-appointed task forces, and workgroups. He was one of twelve experts appointed to serve on the White House COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force, and later appointed to the Health Equity Work Group of the Advisory Committee to the Director of the CDC. 

Emcee

Evrod Cassimy is the weekday morning anchor for NBC 5 News. He joined NBC 5 in November of 2022. The seven-time Emmy-nominated journalist can be seen on NBC 5 News Monday through Friday from 4-7am and from 8-11am on the NBC Chicago streaming channel. When he’s not covering the news across the city and suburbs, he’s a singer/songwriter and philanthropist. He has several albums available everywhere, and he donates the proceeds from his music to charity. To date, his music has raised more than $200,000 for educational charities and causes important to him. His latest album, “Mister Cassimy,” is available everywhere now.