Quintin Ebenezer Primo was born in Georgia on July 1, 1913, to Reverend Quinton Primo, an Episcopal priest from British Guiana, and Alvira Wellington. Following in his father’s footsteps, Quintin became an Episcopal priest in 1941, and his ministry eventually brought him to Chicago, where he served from 1972 to 1985 as the first Black bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago. In December 1977, Bishop Primo founded a 22-bed shelter for women and children. This act of compassion became the foundation for connecting thousands of people with shelter, support, and safety. Though he may not have imagined the full impact of that decision, it became a catalyst for generations of people finding their way home. Later renamed Primo Center in his honor, the shelter has continued to grow and serve families and individuals experiencing homelessness in Chicago for nearly fifty years.

Since Primo will celebrate our 50^th Anniversary in 2027, we are sharing stories of impact over the decades. This Spring, CEO Felicia Blakley spoke at an event hosted by Gallagher and Wintrust. She served on a leadership panel discussing nonprofit financial resilience in times of uncertainty. Inspired by Felicia’s stories of community impact and families’ needs, Bill Powell, a Gallagher executive, approached her with a story of his own. In the 1970s, Bill was confirmed by Bishop Primo at Christ Church Winnetka. He even happened to have a photo on his phone with the Bishop.

I recently had an opportunity to sit down with Bill over coffee to learn more about his connection with Bishop Primo. I wondered about the moment’s significance for an 8^th grader to remember and cherish it over the years. He recalled the Bishop’s calm presence and being in awe of meeting someone of his stature and importance . In his work at Gallagher, Bill has been inspired to work with nonprofits, and  has connected with other mission-driven organizations, including the AAPCI in Brooklyn, an organization that works to reduce homelessness, assist victims of domestic violence and develop affordable housing. His confirmation and experience being raised in the Episcopal Church also inspired Bill and his wife to raise their own children in the Church and introduce them to service.

Every connection has the power to change a life. A Bishop opens a shelter. An eighth grader gets confirmed. A CEO shares mission-driven work. A Gallagher executive remembers Bishop Primo and reaches out to learn more. At Primo Center, we believe in full circle moments. We work toward meaningful connections between families and staff, donors, supporters, and partners. We create a community for hope, healing, and lasting stability. Together, we’re proving that when a community comes together, lives don’t just improve… they transform!