EPIC Academy Raises Nearly $120,000 at 2023 Annual Dare to Imagine Gala

 

EPIC Academy Raises Nearly $120,000 at 2023 Annual Dare to Imagine Gala 

Funds raised will help support transformational college and career programs for students 

Chicago, Ill. – In June, EPIC Academy, a public, open-enrollment charter high school located in South Chicago hosted its 2023 Dare to Imagine Gala themed “Building the Future Together” at The Carter Chicago. Approximately 150 guests attended the event for an evening filled with fun, networking, music, and inspiring stories. With the support of generous sponsors, attendees, and in-kind and monetary donations, EPIC raised nearly $120,000. Corporate sponsors included; Apogem Capital, BMO, Black McDonald’s Operators Association, Elrod Friedman, and KRD, Ltd. and Old National Bank. Funds raised will help provide transformational opportunities and further EPIC’s mission for students to pursue excellence and high expectations for postsecondary success, working towards college and career readiness through a variety of pathways.  

The inspirational evening featured a fireside chat; moderated by Emmy-award-winning journalist Robin Robinson and included the Visionary Leadership Award honoree, Daniel Anello, Chief Executive Officer of Kids First Chicago, who received the honor due to his significant investment in Chicago youth. Class of 2013 EPIC alumna and Legend Award honoree Darshell Nixon, an educator and entrepreneur, also participated in the fireside chat. 

Another 2013 alumna, Shameesha Pryor, whose work includes advocating for and helping to exonerate wrongfully convicted individuals, also received the Legend Award honoree.  

Connie Lavin accepted the Dare to Imagine Award on behalf of Old National Bank for their significant investment in EPIC Academy students. 

LeeAndra Jamison, Executive Director of EPIC, expressed gratitude for the support and spoke on how the school provides unique experiences to prepare students for career success, "EPIC Academy is at a really interesting inflection point. While we have been serving students very well, we are currently working to re-imagine what their school experience will be in the future. One way is by expanding our Career Intensives into a year-long program so that students get more touch points with professionals and careers for various industries. One of the wonderful things about Career Intensives is our students can see themselves in careers they have not been exposed to previously, and our partners get to see the genius that our young people possess. When people attend the Dare to Imagine Gala, individuals from outside of the community see that genius lies around every corner, even on the Southeast Side of Chicago. They have an opportunity to invest in something meaningful, which is building a brighter future for ambitious scholars at EPIC Academy. I am grateful for everyone who supported the event in any capacity.” 

The event featured networking, a silent auction, and other opportunities to support EPIC Academy students.  

Epic Academy College Prep, a public, open-enrollment charter high school, has served low-income African-American and Latino students in South Chicago since 2009. The South Chicago community, one of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, has a 20% unemployment rate and a childhood poverty rate that is 86% higher than all other U.S. neighborhoods. Epic Academy serves one of the most challenging student demographics in Chicago: 96% free/reduced lunch, 23% of students with diverse learning needs, and 15% English Language Learners. Despite the obstacles EPIC students face, it has a 100% college acceptance rate and 81% of our students enroll in college upon graduation. 

  

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