National Urban League Recognizes Chicago Leaders, Students at 2025 National Conference

Chicago Urban League Youth Participants Win Big, Bringing Home Awards and Prizes

(Top photo caption: CUL President & CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson poses with Chicago youth and program staff who attended NUL’s 2025 Youth Summit)

The Chicago Urban League and key leaders in the organization received honors and recognition during the 2025 National Urban League Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio, July 16-19, 2025.

President & CEO Karen Freeman-Wilson accepted the John W. Mack Medal of Honor on behalf of the organization, which was one of four Urban League affiliates recognized for top financial, administrative, and programmatic performance across the Urban League network. Two CUL board members and three youth program participants also received honors. 

“To see our board members, staff, and youth recognized on the national stage is deeply meaningful,” said Freeman-Wilson. “It’s a powerful acknowledgment of the progress we’ve made at the Chicago Urban League—progress that was made possible by the dedication of our affiliate staff, the guidance of our board, and the inspiring determination of the youth we serve.” 

Two Chicago Urban League board members and one staff member were inducted into the National Urban League’s Quarter Century Club, which recognizes individuals who have been active in the Urban League movement for 25 years or more. The new inductees were:

•  John W. Rogers Jr., Chicago Urban League Board Member, Life Director (42 years of service). John has held numerous roles including chair and secretary. He co-founded the Metropolitan Board, the first young professionals auxiliary in the movement. Rogers also received the Leadership in Economic Justice Award, which NUL announced in May during the Legislative Policy Summit.
• Cynthia Jordan-Hubbard, Director, Housing & Financial Empowerment Center (35 years of service). Cynthia joined the League in 1990 and has served as a housing counselor, coach, and now HUD-certified director.
•  James (Jim) Reynolds, Chicago Urban League Board Member, Vice Chair (26 years of service). Jim is the founder, chairman and CEO of Loop Capital Markets and a former CUL board chair.

New inductees receive a ruby-studded Quarter Century Club lapel pin. NUL President & CEO Marc Morial personally presented the pins to Rogers and Reynolds during a visit to Chicago on July 27, 2025.

The NUL Youth Summit was held concurrent with the national conference. Twelve students from the Chicago Urban League’s Project Ready and Community Group programs attended, and four were recognized with the following awards: 

• FedEx Project Ready Scholarship – Payge Turner, a 2025 graduate of Lincoln Park High School, won $6,600 to help further her education through college or trade school.
• Perfect Pitch Competition – Ethan Samuels, a recent graduate of Chi-Prep Academy, placed third in the competition and won $3,100 to start his business.
• Raymond James/H.E.B. National ID Competition – Ethan Samuels won first place and received $2,000. Payge Turner, won second place and received $1,500.
• Vanguard Scholar of the Year – Jalen Hearts, a recent graduate of Urban Prep Bronzeville, received a round-trip airline ticket and a $100 gift card.

The National Urban League’s annual conference is a platform for policymakers, thought leaders, and social influencers to connect, share insights, and engage in strategic discussions in the continuous pursuit of justice. The conference focuses on addressing critical issues and advancing initiatives that benefit the communities served by the National Urban League’s network of 92 affiliates nationwide.

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