Chicago BridgeBuilders Fund: Cohort 4

Zahara Bassett is a dynamic leader and trailblazer dedicated to advancing equity, dignity, and justice for the TLGBQ+ community. As the CEO and Founder of Life Is Work, a trans-led nonprofit organization, Zahara has harnessed her lived experience and passion for advocacy to create transformative programs that educate, empower, and organize individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Under Zahara's visionary leadership, Life Is Work has become a vital force in addressing systemic challenges faced by TLGBQ+ people, offering services ranging from emergency housing and workforce development to healthcare advocacy and non-medical case management. The organization also supports community health through innovative programs like the Unity & Wellness Drop-In, Helping Hand Initiative, and Lois House Multi-Tier Housing Program.

Zahara’s commitment to health equity has garnered widespread recognition. In 2024, she received the Community Health Equity Partner Award from Rush Medical Center for her tireless efforts to support marginalized communities. Life Is Work has also secured over $690,000 in multi-year grants under her leadership, ensuring sustainable growth and expanded impact.

A passionate advocate for ending the HIV epidemic, Zahara has fostered partnerships with key organizations, including the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Rush Medical Center, and Chicago House. Her Housing First approach and focus on wraparound services empower individuals to achieve stability and wellness.

Through her work, Zahara inspires a culture of compassion, resilience, and inclusion. She continues to champion initiatives that address housing insecurity, fight discriminatory policies, and uplift TLGBQ+ voices. Zahara’s vision remains clear: to build a future where every individual can thrive in safety, wellness, and justice.

Michiel D. Burnett is a dynamic leader and advocate dedicated to empowering communities and driving economic growth. As the President of DBC Offices Inc., she focuses on nurturing business startups and managing coworking spaces, fostering innovation and collaboration among entrepreneurs. Michiel also serves as the Co-Founder of Vizion Marketing LLC, where she uses her expertise as a Marketing Specialist to guide businesses in building strong brands and achieving sustainable growth.

In her role as the President and Executive Director of DBC Gifts of Love, NFP, Michiel champions initiatives to combat homelessness, provide resources to disenfranchised individuals, and uplift the community through targeted outreach. Under her leadership, DBC Gifts of Love offers workforce development and internship programs, as well as a business incubator that supports entrepreneurial success across the Chicago Southland region.

Her educational accomplishments include earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from the University of St. Francis and completing the Women’s Business Development Center (WBDC) program. Michiel's dedication to community service is demonstrated through her volunteer roles as the Chamber 57 Board Secretary, a PRNN Steering Committee Member, and a member of the Rich 227 Industry Advisory Board for Business and Entrepreneurship.

Michiel’s mission is rooted in promoting social equity and economic empowerment, ensuring that every individual has access to the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. In her leisure time, Michiel enjoys reading, spending time with friends and family, traveling internationally, attending theater and arts events, and cheering on teams at sporting events.

“My Mission In Life Is To Help People Succeed.

Brianne Caplan is a visionary leader in tech education and a former data scientist who, after witnessing firsthand the harms of a tech sector lacking diversity, is on a mission to ensure that everyone can belong and thrive within it. In 2018, Bri founded Code Your Dreams, a global nonprofit dedicated to serving underserved communities by providing community-centered computer science education to students as young as kindergarten. A graduate of the University of Chicago, Bri served as the inaugural Program Director for Careers in Computer Science, building programs that fostered a sense of belonging and confidence in students pursuing tech careers. She has been featured in media outlets such as Forbes and the Chicago Tribune, honored by Crain’s for her leadership in STEM, and is the author of the children’s book Techie Tales. Through her innovative programs and passionate advocacy, she is redefining tech education so that everyone can succeed in our digital world.

Jason Clark, a proud native of Harvey, IL, is the Founder/CEO of Link Further. With 18 years of experience as a union glazier, Jason has contributed to the creation of some of Chicago’s most iconic landmarks, including the Willis Tower Skydeck, 360 Chicago Tilt, Starbucks Reserve Roastery, and more. His work reflects a dedication to excellence, both in his craft and in the impact he strives to make on the next generation.
Jason’s vision for Link Further emerged while planning a 20-year class reunion for Thornton Township High School alumni. Instead of organizing a traditional celebration, Jason identified a greater need among current students. He spearheaded a crowdfunding effort, rallying alumni to give back to the senior class. This initiative culminated in the first-ever Transition Conference, where alumni and industry professionals came together to share career insights, life lessons, and practical tools to help students prepare for life after high school.

Witnessing its transformative impact, Jason was inspired to formalize his efforts through the creation of Link Further. In just two years, the Transition Conference has raised over $450,000 in scholarships and resources for Thornton students. The organization connects alumni, corporations, and industry professionals with students, providing mentorship, career exploration, and resources to equip them for success.

Through Link Further, Jason is committed to empowering students with the tools, knowledge, and support needed to pursue their goals, while fostering a culture of giving back and community uplift.

As the co-founder, Vice President and Executive Director of The Reign Project, LaTonya Darden has dedicated her life to shaping the lives and mindsets of today's youth and the community of Chicago, Illinois through mentorship, advocacy and violence prevention.

Although not her start, some of Ms. Darden's most significant work began over 20 years ago, while working with marginalized youth within the Chicago Public Schools and Cook County Corrections high school program; in successful efforts to increase high school graduation rates, while reducing dropout and recidivism. She has a Proven track record of effectiveness as a hands-on manager focused on tangible, visible, and measurable results. Throughout her years of managing youth and staff, Ms. Darden effectively introduced policy improvements, business plans, and staff-development initiatives to drive production goal attainment with the great ability to resolve staff and youth issues and negotiate productive outcomes. As of date, Ms. Darden has assisted over 500 youth and young adults in violence prevention and entrepreneurial programming.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Ms. Darden spent her early childhood in the Dearborn Homes housing project on the city's south side. As a divorced mother of three, she obtained her bachelor’s in business administration from Robert Morris College. Ms. Darden is also the founder and owner of BagsByElle, an eclectic custom clothing and accessory online fashion boutique.

Dominique Jones is founder and CEO of D. Jones Construction LLC, a licensed General Contracting firm, Jones Development LLC, a real estate investment firm, and Founder and Executive Director of Tools Up Foundation Inc, a construction training nonprofit organization. As a General Contractor, she assists business owners, investors, and developers with all of their design and construction needs. As a real estate developer, she renovates distress properties making underdeveloped neighborhoods safer and more sustainable.

Dominique started her journey in the construction industry as a Project Engineer, working her way up to a construction Project Manager for the City of Chicago. During her time as a Project Manager, she managed multimillion-dollar commercial construction projects including the new Englewood STEM High School, and the new Malcom X College to name a few.

Dominique holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Engineering and Technology from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s of Science degree from a HBCU, Alabama A&M University.

Pauline Mosley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. At the age of four, she began her early dance training at the South Shore Cultural Dance Center. She then went on to expand her training with former Ailey dancer Lisa Johnson-Willingham. She began attending Whitney Young in 7th grade for the Academic Center. She was introduced to Homer Hans Bryant and the Chicago Multicultural Dance Center (CMDC) during this time. She began training with them and became serious about her dance career.

In the summer of 2014, she went to San Francisco to study with LINES Ballet for a summer intensive. That summer was so eye-opening that she auditioned for the BFA program that following year. After being accepted on scholarship, she moved to California to pursue her love for dance with the Alonzo King LINES Ballet program. She received her BFA in dance Summa Cum Laude with honors in May 2019 from the Dominican University of California. In 2020, Tyler Thompson (founder of 773 Dance Project and childhood friend) asked Pauline to join her in furthering the company's mission with her. At the end of 2020, she moved back to Chicago after her father's passing to be with family and closer to home for 773 Dance Project operations. Since returning home to Chicago, she has also completed her Masters in Business Administration from National University. She continues her career as Co-Exectuive Artistic Director of 773 Dance Project and is the Operations Coordinator for South Chicago Dance Theatre.

Austin resident, Keli Stewart, is a writer and educator whose writing has appeared in Rhino, Quiddity, Meridians, Warpland, amongst other notable journals and publications. Keli was recently selected as a 2021-2022 School of the Art Institute Nichols Tower Artist-in-Residence. She has received artist fellowships from Hedgebrook, where she was awarded the 2010 Adrienne Reiner Hochstadt Award, and the Augusta Savage Gallery Arts International Residency Program. An alum of the Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation and Callaloo Summer Writing Workshops, Keli’s writing was selected first place in the Gwendolyn Brooks Poetry Award from the Illinois Center of the Book, chosen by Illinois poet laureate Kevin Stein.

A graduate of Providence St. Mel Highschool, she received her BA in Fiction Writing from Columbia College in 2002, her MFA in Poetry from Chicago State University, and pursued doctoral work in Afro-American Studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst where she studied with notable artists, activists, and scholars.

Keli served as a Leadership Lab Fellow with the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. She now serves as a Community Advisory Council Member with Westside United. She is also the founder of Westside Arts House, selected as part of the Alliance of Artists Communities Emerging Program Institute. Keli is the Founder and Executive Director of Front Porch Arts Center. Her debut poetry collection, Small Altars was published with Bronzeville Books in 2021.

Vance White (he/him) is the Executive Director and Refounder of the School of Opulence. With a mission to enhance the quality of life and life expectancy of Black and Brown LGBTQIA+ individuals, in the Chicagoland area, specifically the Southeast Corridor, Vance leads efforts in HIV testing, community engagement, education, and advocacy. Drawing from over a decade of personal experience in local and federal prison systems, he brings expertise in reentry issues intersecting with the LGBTQIA+ community. As a member of various influential councils and coalitions, including the Chicago Co-Governance Council, Chicagoland Syndemic Advisory Council (CSAC), and the Black Leadership Advocacy Coalition for Healthcare Equity (BLACHE), Vance is dedicated to improving access to healthcare and services for marginalized populations. Additionally, he is recognized as Legendary Midwest Father Ricardo Tisci in the House Ball community.

Joseph Williams is an emerging thought leader in education and family advocacy. Joseph Williams is a lifelong Chicagoan, and resides in Englewood with his wife and six children (four girls and two boys). He created the Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club in 2017 to help fathers become active in their children's lives through mentoring and literacy.

Mr. Williams has been Dubbed as "the Black Mr. Rogers. Mr. Williams is indeed an inspiring figure in education, family advocacy, and community leadership. His dedication to supporting fathers through initiatives like the Mr. Dad's Father's Club showcases his commitment to strengthening family bonds and promoting literacy. Since its exception, Joseph continues to invest in the wellbeing of families, who remain at the core of his work.

Joseph was previously elected to the Local School Council for Beasley Academic Center and Lindblom Math and Science Academy, where he also served as the President of the Parent Advisory Council for a number of years. Joseph also served on the (LSCAB) Local School Advisory Board and was the first member to implement a health and safety sub-committee to bring transparency to parents and community members. 

Joseph’s personal educational journey is a testament to commitment to personal growth. He proudly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Chicago State University, marking him as the first in his family to graduate from college. His accolades reflect his influence and impact. Joseph has received numerous awards including the Nominee for American Red Cross Community Impact Award, the 2023 Youth Guidance Leadership Award, 2024 Fast Pitch Award and was named a 2024 Distinguished Gentleman of the State of Illinois. Joseph’s voice and vision have reached wide audiences, with features on major news and radio stations, including Windy City Live and the Today Show. 

Joseph Williams exemplifies the power of education, the importance of family, and an unwavering commitment to community, inspiring change and making a profound impact wherever he goes.