Letter from the Director- January 2026
R CITY Celebrates Giving Tuesday!
It’s just 12 days until Giving Tuesday, the time when we put our thanks-giving into action by sharing our abundance with others. At R CITY, it’s all hands on deck--and you can join us! You can help our youth pack care kits for friends on the streets, donate winter wear for our neighborhood giveaway, or give to our $50,000 year-end match. No matter what you do, it will bring light and life to our beloved community in Chicago, standing in solidarity with those who overcome so much.
Congratulations to our 2025-26 Successbuilders Scholars
Spotlight on Successbuilders
At R CITY, “from cradle to career” doesn’t end with high school–it ends when young adults are ready to launch the career of their dreams! The Successbuilders Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance for River City-affiliated youth to attend college, trade school, post-graduate training, or any other adult accreditation programs.
Since its inception in the fall of 2018, this fund has awarded over $100,000 to 33 students–notably including Charnesha Collier, R CITY’s current Executive Director. More than just financial assistance, the Successbuilders Scholarship aims to meet the varying needs of youth in our community. Successbuilder Scholars have access to a team of responsive mentors who can help manage crises and consistently provide support and encouragement along the way.
This school year, we are thrilled to announce 12 Successbuilders Scholars! This list includes one current R CITY staff member, TEN former Citybuilder Apprentices, five were attendees of a weekly Thursday night pizza and bible study nights during their high school years, and two are attenders of River City Church.
Congratulations to these amazing young adults!
Gian Borrero, Ranken Technical College studying IT
Leya Smith, Northern Illinois University studying Social work
Teshawna Childs, Northern Illinois University studying Political science
Sajai Solid, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Undecided Pre-law
Jazharia Taylor, Graceland University studying Criminal Justice
Zarriona Hudson, City Colleges and Illinois Carpenters Union, Accepted in the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council Apprentice and Training Program
Taniya Heath, Southern Illinois University Carbondale studying Architecture
Shanyce Johnson, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University studying Criminal Justice, minor in Visual Arts Design
Cristina Galván, City Colleges- Harry S. Truman studying Early childhood development
Sanrenity Davis, Howard University studying Biology
Daria Wilkins, University of Illinois Chicago studying Nursing
Olivia Taylor, University of Illinois Chicago studying Applied Psychology
Summer Interns and Staff Build the Path
R CITY Honors Pastor Antoine Taylor
Every February, R CITY honors one person who has been heroic to the work of R CITY. Awarded at the Black History Celebration, R CITY's Distinguished Award for Foundational Contributions recognizes an individual whose work has been integral in the success of R CITY. This year's awardee is Pastor Antoine Taylor.
Special Recognition to Y'Shanda Rivera, PhD for Foundational Contributions
A published author and educational consultant, whose work with R CITY extends back to its beginnings, Dr. Rivera conducted research through R CITY's very first programs and was integral during our founding. She continued her investment in 2020 as a board member and joined the staff of R CITY serving as the Director of Strategy, Research & Partnerships from 2021-2023.
Dr. Rivera exemplifies the absolute best of OUR CITY and we are honored to celebrate our 2024 recipient of the Distinguished Award for Foundational Contributions.
R CITY announces Executive Director Transition
In January 2024, I will step out of the Executive Director role, remaining with R CITY as Finance Lead to continue managing R CITY's grants and finance. At that time, the Executive Director role will be filled by the magnificent Charnesha Collier. She will be supported by myself, our board of directors, and Michelle Johnson, Director of Administration. This role is the culmination of years of leadership development for Char, who began as a youth in the Harambee program. Having served as R CITY's Director of Programs for the last year, Char has shown herself to be an excellent leader for both staff and youth. It is my great honor to place the role I love so much in her hands.