A Force for Freedom: From Chicago and Beyond
Interview with Liz Dozier, Founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond
Chicago Forward, a new video podcast co-hosted by Antwan Ward and Brian Brady, spotlights innovative Chicago-metro leaders building a more equitable, sustainable, creative, and caring community.
Episode One features Liz Dozier, the Founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, an impact investor working to ensure all young people have the opportunity to live a free and full life. In her former career as a principal at Chicago Public Schools, Liz mobilized her staff, students, and the Roseland community to improve educational outcomes at Fenger High School. For a glimpse into the demanding yet successful work at Fenger, see CNN’s Chicagoland series.
Now, at the helm of Chicago Beyond, Liz leverages her hard-won frontline wisdom and vision of equity to challenge philanthropy’s status quo. Liz and Chicago Beyond are transforming the “research industrial complex” inside the philanthropic sector, pushing grantmakers to stop trying to “solve problems for communities.” Instead, grantmakers can listen and follow the guidance of local residents — particularly Black and Brown community members — by emulating Chicago Beyond’s approach titled Whole Philanthropy.
Liz tells powerful stories of Chicago Beyond’s investment partners who neither fall neatly into the usual nonprofit buckets nor have the easily measured outcomes most grantmakers prefer. For example, she describes the work of a community leader who visits gun violence survivors and their families in the hospital, providing needed comfort and practical support to folks experiencing deep trauma.
The first Chicago Forward interview ends with Antwan Ward’s fun, rapid fire questions to Liz on her Chicago favorite spots, food, etc. No spoiler alerts. You have to watch the interview to learn if Liz favors Chicago hamburgers over Chicago hot dogs.
Take a listen, learn from this cutting-edge leader, and enjoy.