Landscape of Black Student Trajectories and Experiences in Illinois

In Partnership with Loyola University Chicago’s Institute for Racial Justice

Project Overview

Thanks to generous support from The Joyce Foundation, the Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative (IWERC) and Loyola University Chicago's Institute for Racial Justice (IRJ) partnered to explore an inquiry into Black Student Success in Illinois. Following the example of the Latino College Landscape Study, this project examines public data over the past decade to show how Black student access to and success in early childhood, K12, college, and the Illinois workforce has shifted over time, as well as where further attention is needed. This comprehensive study will be shared widely with state agencies, advocates, and educational stakeholders in convenings co-hosted with relevant groups.

• Read Data Briefs
• Read DRAFT Data Master Deck

Project Advisory Board Members

We thank the following stakeholders for their dedication and time on this project and all they do for Black students in Illinois: Mike Abrahamson, Partnership for College Completion; Asia Canady, Hunter Family Foundation; Fatima Cooke, Fry Foundation; Nathaniel Cunningham, Thornton Township High School District; Chibuzo Ezeigbo, The Joyce Foundation; Janine Franklin, Schreiber Philanthropy; Karen Freeman-Wilson, Chicago Urban League; Sergio Hernandez, ISBE; Josh Kaufmann, Teach Plus Illinois; Ashley Leonard, To and Through; Dom McKoy, To and Through; Kimako Patterson, ISBE; Justin Schuh, Western Illinois University; Ushma Shah, Former Superintendent of Oak Park D97; Adam Slade, Illinois Black Advocacy Initiative; Christopher Slaten, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; Mariana Souto-Manning, Erikson Institute; Erin Steva, Chicago State University; Johnnie Thomas, Rich Township (HS); Cris Valdez, Richland Community College; Alejandra  Villa-Moges, Partnership for College Completion; Rebecca Vonderlack-Navarro, Latino Policy Forum; Kyle Westbrook, Education Systems Center; Karen Williams-Ross, Christopher House.

Team Members:
Meg Bates and Stephanie Werner