Creating Space Initiative Launch

Join YNPN Chicago as we launch the Creating Space Initiative (CSI). Let’s all come together to close out 2021, and plan for 2022! We will be joined by speakers who will highlight the impact of creating spaces specifically for emerging BIPOC leaders. Using their insight and feedback from guests, we will shape our CSI programming for 2022. Guests will also have the chance to participate in breakout groups to build community and network.

Speakers:

Ishan Johnson (he/him) is Associate Director, Philanthropy for the Art Institute of Chicago. In

his current role, Ishan leads with empathy and equity as he strengthens relationships with museum

donors. Most recently, he served as the Associate Director of Development for Chicago Opera

Theater. While at COT, Ishan oversaw individual & planned giving, special events, and the

organization’s first-ever endowment campaign. As Manager of Auxiliary Relations for Chicago

History Museum, Ishan transformed the volunteer donor experience, exceeding all financial and

membership goals. He is a graduate of the AFP Chicago Fellows program and proudly serves on

the Board of Directors as Vice-President of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access. He’s also an

alumnus of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, and is a Junior Member of the Arts Club of Chicago.

A life-long advocate for opera, Ishan holds a Vocal Performance degree from Boston University,

and maintained a professional career as a singer for more than a decade. He is also a sought-after

speaker and moderator, having been featured with AFP Chicago, Chicago Grantmakers

Association, Chicago Opera Theater, Easterseals, Lake Forest College, and the Philanthropy Club

of Chicago.

Norma Seledon is a Mexican immigrant and has been a resident of Chicago for over 52 years.  She has over 30 years of professional commitment to community and grassroots development around issues of women’s and youth leadership, education attainment by underrepresented groups, domestic violence, sexual assault, substance abuse, cultural sensitivity and environmental health.

She has a 30-year history of developing grassroots leadership development programs for women, youth and Latino communities.  She is presently employed by the Grants Department of Chicago Public Schools, sits on various non-profit boards and also provides workshops on topics of minority access to higher education, domestic violence prevention, anti-racism, homophobia and cultural sensitivity, organizational conflict resolution, as well as non-profit management and board development.

Qing Li currently serves as the Community Service Chair for NAAAP-Chicago. NAAAP-Chicago is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to building leaders. The Community Service Committee provides a platform to bridge the gap between AAPI communities and professional organizations - we aim to surface service opportunities for working professionals looking to make an impact in their communities. Qing is committed to strengthening communities through the advancement of minority voices and building leaders through service.

Professionally, Qing leads a consulting practice that provides healthcare commercial strategy to start-up organizations. This work aims to enable healthcare transformation through innovation.