Executive Director

---

Sharon Lewis is a social & environmental justice advocate as well as an experienced public speaker and communicator. A Summa Cum Laude graduate of East-West University with a BA in English & Communications, always an active member of college life she served as Editor of the Phantom Press News, President of the Black Student Union, and 2006 Alumna Commencement Speaker. Sharon completed DePaul University’s Value-Centered Leadership Program, a fall Fellowship with Organizing for Action/OFA, and was called one of the Obama Foundation’s top community Influencers. She is a life-long learner and continues her education through training and seminars.

Sharon’s dedication to service is passionately displayed in her volunteer work. Many of her roles are current and some past, but all represent her tireless commitment to service. Vice President, Jackson Park Conservancy; member of IQ North Advisory Leadership Team/Income Qualified Energy Efficiency Committee (LIEEAC),  Illinois Energy Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG), graduate of the City of Chicago Citizens Police Academy,   8 years as a 4th Police District Beat Facilitator; Chicago Community Emergency Response Team member; former Vice President University of Illinois (College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences) Extension Program Advisory Board;  former Transportation Chair Jackson Park Advisory Council; past Volunteer Coordinator,  South Shore Cultural Center Council Park Advisory Council; former-Vice President Don Nash Community Center Advisory Council: Board Member of the United States Federal Selective Service: former board member, Work Of Faith Ministries INC: Founding Member, South Side Neighbors 4 Hope: former President, Bessemer Park Advisory Council:  former steering committee chair, South Chicago Neighborhood Trauma Informed Network:  She has received numerous community and academic honors, accommodations, and certificates for her service. A Chicago park’s advocate Sharon is a lifetime Hyde Park/South Shore resident and continues to live on Chicago’s Southeast Lakefront. 

As a ‘train the trainer’ leader Sharon has 30+ years of dedicated service volunteering, facilitating, and teaching in both the academic and professional arena. She successfully brings corporate, community, and environmental goals together seamlessly by promoting collaborative teamwork and using various methods of group communication and strategic planning. 

Mr. Muhammad is a former Senior Manager/General Manager with extensive experience in all aspects of Television Production and preparing materials for a variety of media outlets. Skilled in Technical Directing, Management & Supervision of Non-Linear Editing (Adobe Premier, Davinci Resolve Software), Satellite Broadcasts, live productions, remote shoots, Documentary productions, and training personnel in all aspects of Video & TV production.

He has a par excellent background in building relationships with all media outlets, facilitating crews for extensive video production whether live or prerecorded. His extensive knowledge includes scheduling and budgeting. His vast experience in development and implementation led to regional and nationwide in-house video production and programs for not-for-profit organizations.  He also set up and facilitated numerous in-house video production facilities. 

With a prestigious and storied history in broadcasting, Mr. Muhammad has served as FCN Publishing, Inc. General Manager of Broadcasting/Publishing, NBC 5 TV, Technical Director-NBC News Division, WSNS TV Channel 44 Technical Director-Production Dept.  He is the recipient of many high honors including the Chicago Local Emmy Award Winner, Peter Lisagor Award, National Association of Black Journalists, - The photojournalist of the Year Award, and produced and Directed a Short Film “Sleeping with the Dead. 

He has served as a Village Trustee with a fiduciary responsibility of a $20,000,000 budget and chaired the youth, finance, and social services committees, as Village Media Director he led the management of the Village’s communications through its cable channel, producing cable programs and information about Village services and activities, and assisting other departments in public information initiatives. 

Mr. Muhammad lived on Chicago’s South Side for more than 30 years and served the Chicago broadcast community on some of the city's most high-profile stories brought to light.  He continues his education and training as he completes his MFA and his adjunct teaching at local colleges. 

Retired Chemical Analyst, Union negotiator, and shining Eastern Star. Ms. Meadows has dedicated her life to service as a foster parent, caregiver, community worker, and lifelong South Eastside resident & volunteer. She has served in the capacity from board chair to secretary; always comfortable with giving her best in any seat she is appointed to.