A Discussion to Reduce Violence in our Communities
Building Wealth and Wellness Festival
June 3rd, 2023
TONI PRECKWINKLE
President, Cook County Board of Commissioners
Ms. Preckwinkle is an historical public servant and the current County Board president in Cook County, Illinois, United States. She was elected to her first term as president of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the executive branch of Cook County government, in November 2010, becoming the first woman elected to that position. Ms. Preckwinkle previously served as a five-term alderman in the Chicago City Council, representing Chicago's 4th ward. During her tenure, she emerged as the council's prominent defender of affordable housing. She was also the runner-up in the 2019 election for mayor of Chicago. Among other issues, she is known for championing the controversial sweetened beverage tax, sponsorship of living wage ordinances, concerns about the costs and benefits of the city's Olympic bid, and her strong stance against police brutality and excessive force.
DELRICE ADAMS
Executive Director, Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA)
Delrice Adams is a justice warrior with over 25 years of directing social service and public health reform efforts. On January 4, 2020, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed Delrice to lead the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA). ICJIA spearheads and informs on public safety policies, research, and best practices. In this role, Executive Director Adams leverages her expertise in criminal justice, violence prevention, and racial equity to support the agency's work. Her expertise informs and enhances public safety priorities, equity grant administration, and evidence-based solutions to violence prevention. Executive Director Adams institutes a transparent and straightforward approach to the work. Equity, fairness, and opportunity are the priorities of every grant program and policy administered by ICJIA.
ROXANNE JACKSON, JD.
Regional Director, Reform Alliance
Roxanne is a dynamic and accomplished professional with a vibrant, engaging personality. She received her formative education in the Chicago Public Schools. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s Degrees from National Louis University in Evanston, Illinois, and obtained her law degree from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law formerly known as The John Marshall Law School Ms. Jackson has amassed over twenty (30) years of senior management and human resources experience with numerous Fortune 500 companies, such as FOX, L’Oréal USA, Mars Inc., Omar Medical Supplies and REFORM Alliance. She was also one of the early pioneers at 21st Century Telecom Group, Inc., where she created and led the entire human resources and personnel department for this 1,000-employee company.
Roxanne is a dynamic trainer and business coach.
Her engaging demeanor gives her the ability to captivate, teach, and entertain audiences with her infectious enthusiasm, unique delivery, and thought-provoking content. Roxanne is currently the Midwest Regional Director of REFORM Alliance. REFORM is a national bi-partisan not-for-profit organization focusing on probation parole and supervised release legislation throughout the country. In the last 3 ½ years REFORM Alliance has passed 16 new laws in 10 states impacting the lives of over 650,000 safely exiting the revolving door of probation, parole, and supervised release systems. REFORM is now waiting for Governor J.B. Pritzker to sign into law SB 423 which unanimously passed both the Illinois House and Senate. This will make 17 laws in 11 states!
Roxanne is currently building coalitions in the Midwest to address the legislative changes needed to provide true second chances to those impacted by the criminal justice system.
Serving under Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. His work leading the JAC focuses on leading justice system innovation and policy development that is community-driven and human-centered. Avik and his team are committed to further President Preckwinkle's community safety goals, including legislative and policy reform as well as providing grant funding to community based organizations advancing violence prevention and supporting the success of residents returning home from periods of incarceration.
Prior to joining the JAC, Avik served over two decades as a Cook County Juvenile Probation Officer. He spent his last six years in that career as the Director and Chief of the Juvenile Probation Department within the Circuit Court of Cook County. He remains committed to community-based service and support for court-involved people who may otherwise be at risk of being lost to violence or incarceration.
He is a licensed attorney and holds appointed leadership roles serving the Illinois Supreme Court in areas of community corrections policy and practice and is the Co-Chair of the Disparate Outcomes Workgroup of the Illinois Supreme Court’s Juvenile Court Committee and a member of the Illinois Judicial Conference. He is a member of Columbia Law School's Youth Correctional Leaders for Justice and a Fellow of the University of Chicago, Civic Leadership Academy, as well as a Fellow of the Georgetown Center for Juvenile Justice Reform.
AVIK DAS
Executive Director of the Justice Advisory Council (JAC)
PHILIP FAIRWEATHER
President & CEO Entrepreneurs Academy
Philip Fairweather, currently the President & CEO and Founder of Entrepreneurs Academy 501-C3. is an Air Force Veteran with 20 plus years as an entrepreneur, entrepreneurial training instructor, consultant and federal economic development specialist. He is a patented inventor and has worked on projects throughout the United States, China and India.
He has served city, state and federal agencies along with community based for-profit and non-profit organizations. His grass roots community-based approach has given him a 360-degree view of social, academic and economic issues revolving around entrepreneurship, re-entry and community development. Mr. Fairweather’s background includes developing and implementing Teen Reach entrepreneurial programs across the State of Illinois, creating one of the Chicago Urban League’s most successful entrepreneurship programs, Director of the Chicago Housing Choice Voucher program (section 8) and developing the Chicago Housing Authorities national award winning Entrepreneurs Academy program. He is an advocate and voice for social and economic change in underserved communities and has won National awards for his efforts.
As an Academic, he has served as an MBA Professor at Dominican University and is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society with an Executive MBA from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Most recently he was the Director of Operations for a Transitional Living facility for the Illinois Department of Corrections while expanding the reach of Entrepreneurs Academy.
Dr. Shirlyn M. Garrett received her Doctor of Education Degree in Counseling Psychology, with a concentration in Counselor Education and Supervision, in August of 2012, when she graduated from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. Dr. Garrett received in Master of Arts in Counseling in 1996 from Sam Houston State University, where she also received her Bachelor of Science in Law Enforcement/Criminal Justice in 1994.
Dr. Garrett is employed at Chicago State University as an Assistant Professor in Graduate Counseling Programs, where she is currently the Director of the Program. She also has been a consultant or served in various capacities in Child Welfare for the past 25 years.
She has practiced and conducted individual, triadic, and group supervision for over 25 years. She has also owned her private practice. In July, Dr. Garrett will become the incoming President of Counselors for Social Justice.
Dr. Garrett is a long-standing member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Illinois Counseling Association. She also serves as the Secretary for the Illinois Association for Multicultural Counseling. She also mentors the NBCC/APA joint program for Illinois Interdisciplinary Minority and Fellowship Program. She is also currently a member of the Top Ladies of Distinction, National Council of Negro Women, and Charms.
Dr. Garrett has taught in both master’s and doctoral-level courses at various Universities in Illinois and New York. She is also currently the chair of several dissertations that are being completed. She serves on various department, college, and university committees and prepares doctoral students to publish in reference journals and other professorate activities.
DR. SHIRLYN M. GARRETT
Assistant Professor of Psychology-Counseling Chicago State University