David Vance, a 50 year resident of South Chicago, embodies the spirit of education as a living, breathing force that extends beyond textbooks. A proud community representative on two Local School Councils, David’s legacy also flows through his deep roots in the Steelworkers Labor Union. He helped bring to life the Steelworkers Exhibition at the Museum of Science and Industry and continues to carry history forward by connecting Chicago’s steel industry to the very names of schools in his neighborhood. To speak with David is to encounter a wealth of knowledge, a keeper of stories, and a soul who radiates light, love, and the belief that equity in education is built by honoring every layer of community.

Mr. Dad’s Father’s Club is a pillar of Englewood, uplifting fathers as leaders and change makers. Through their Parent Mentorship Program, fathers walk alongside children in their daily school lives, modeling presence and care. Each year, they provide more than 1,000 winter coats, employ over 50 parent mentors, and partner with local alder people to highlight the strength and leadership of Black fathers. Their work reshapes narratives and builds communities grounded in dignity and hope.