Thank you, Dorea and Shelley! February 27, 2026 By Katy Walsh, Chief Development Officer At Primo Center’s 2nd Annual Staff Appreciation Celebration, we had the profound honor of celebrating two extraordinary team members whose combined 43+ years of service have helped shape the very heart of our organization: Dorea Bracey and Shelley Cooper. Surrounded by […]
Hope for Lasting Change February 20, 2026 by Shelley Cooper, Chief Community Relations Officer Celebrated as a way of honoring important people, events and achievements of the African diaspora, this year’s Black History Month has more gravity and significance than ever, as the past year has brought unprecedented attention and action around the issues of racism, injustice and inequality.
From the Desk of CEO Felicia Blakley February 10, 2026 Love in Action The word philanthropy comes from the Greek philos (love) and anthropos (humanity). At its core, philanthropy simply means the love of humankind. Not charity as obligation. Not giving as transaction. But love—made visible through action. I’m reminded of this every time I
Congresswoman Ramirez’s Call to Action in Support of Families February 2, 2026 by Katy Walsh, Chief Development Officer Last week, leaders from across Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District gathered for a powerful and practical conversation about what it truly takes for working families to thrive. Convened by Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, the Social Safety Net Roundtable brought
Anna’s Journey to Empowerment January 28, 2026 by Katy Walsh, Chief Development Officer When I met Anna for coffee at Starbucks recently, I was struck by how much -and how intentionally- her life has taken shape. Now 29, Anna is living in her own apartment, raising her two daughters, working full-time and going to school
Two Lives, One Calling: Honoring Dr. King and Bishop Quintin Primo on MLK Day January 19, 2026 Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pause to reflect on the power of moral leadership, collective action, and the enduring pursuit of justice. At Primo Center, this day holds particular meaning—not only because of Dr.
Carrying the Dream Forward: Dr. King’s Vision and Primo Center’s Work Today January 16, 2026 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is most often remembered for his soaring speeches and leadership during the Civil Rights Movement, but at the heart of his work was a simple, radical belief: that every person deserves dignity, stability, and the
From the Desk of CEO Felicia Blakley January 5, 2026 As we begin 2026, Primo Center does so at a moment of profound challenge and consequence—for our organization, for the families we serve, and for the broader social safety net that undergirds our work. The start of a new year is often marked by optimism and renewal.
