Chicago host
Marlene Paez Dukes
Tonika Johnson
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About the speaker
Tonika Johnson is a visual artist and photographer from Chicago’s South Side Englewood neighborhood. In 2010, she helped co-found Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) and is the lead co-founder of Englewood Arts Collective established in 2017. Also in 2017, she was featured in Chicago Magazine as a Chicagoan of the Year.
Within her artistic practice, Tonika often explores urban segregation and documents the nuance and richness of the black community. Her work has been featured at Rootwork Gallery in Pilsen, the Chicago Cultural Center, Harold Washington Library Center and featured in the Chicago Reader. Her multi-media project titled “Folded Map” that illustrates Chicago’s residential segregation while bringing residents together to have a conversation, was exhibited at Loyola University’s Museum of Art in 2018. Since then she has transformed this project into an advocacy and policy-influencing tool that invites audiences to open a dialogue and question how we are all socially impacted by racial and institutional conditions that segregate the city. An excerpt of Folded Map is currently on view at the Museum of Contemporary Art as part of the exhibition titled “The Long Dream.”
In 2019, she was named one of Field Foundation’s Leaders for a New Chicago and most recently, she was appointed as a member of the Cultural Advisory Council of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events by the Chicago City Council.
Performer: Ashley McKinney
Chicago native Ashley McKinney is a credit specialist who has a passion for educating people so they become more confident, experienced, and aware of the tools available for financial stability. She is a licensed realtor for and founder of MREC (Mckinney Real Estate Corporation) where she assists individuals looking to achieve home ownership and provides credit repair services. She believes in the power of free information and uses her social media platforms to share tips and knowledge for financial growth. Previously, McKinney was a Sales Broker at Urbane Home, a women-owned, women-led and women-run design and development firm based in Chicago, Illinois. McKinney received her BA from Hampton University, Virginia. Follow Ashley on Instagram, @thevirtualrealtor_ and on Twitter @AshleyMrec
Local partners
Founded by Creative Producer, Edwin R. Ruiz, Mondo Machine is a film and digital media hub for Chicago artists, filmmakers, writers, organizations and patrons of the arts to facilitate work that resonates with audiences worldwide. We specialize in narrative storytelling, documentary, live performance archives, and innovative event experiences. Follow them on Twitter @MondoMachine
The original camera re-commerce company, KEH has always envisioned a better way to support the passion and profession of photography. Serving the camera community since 1979, KEH has become the largest curated market for field-tested, expert-graded photo and video equipment in the industry.
Big Shoulders Coffee offers a selection of daily roasted coffees; featuring single-origin coffees from micro producers, seasonal blends, and customer favorites. @bigshoulderscoffee
STYLIN’ OUT Network is an entertainment collective committed to providing a platform for the underground, unheard of, hidden gems of Chicago. From DJs to visual artists to dancers, their events are curated with an emphasis on style and community. STYLIN’ OUT Productions produces a variety of content through collaborations and independent projects that push the possibilities of creative visual communication. Check out Stylin’ Out Network on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @stylinoutnetwork and online at stylinoutnetwork.com
Ink Factory helps you communicate visually. We help fortune 100 companies, governments, nonprofits, and more by creating engaging live visual notes at events, illustrations that clarify complex information, videos that spark interest, and workshops that teach visual communication skills. Simply put: You talk. We draw. It’s awesome.™ Follow Ink Factory on Instagram @inkfactorystudio
Open Water is bottled water with a green conscience. That’s right: 16 ounces of purified water in 100% recyclable aluminum bottles. Aluminum is recycled more than twice as often as plastic and is also infinitely recyclable. Reusable bottles are always the best, but when you’re away from the tap, think beyond plastic. Follow them on Twitter @drinkopenwater
Additional details
🎉 Happy New Year! Let’s kick off this new year with an incredibly inspiring talk. As usual, we’ll stream it on Zoom.
📩 Registered attendees will be emailed a protected link shortly before the event. New to Zoom? You’ll want to sign up for a free account ahead of time.
🚩NOTE: Don’t see an email from us closer to the event time? Please be sure to check your spam or junkmail folder.
