More than 300 guests gathered at the Garfield Park Conservatory for Habilitative Systems, Inc.'s 5th Annual Race & Health Equity Awards, recognizing seven education leaders for their work advancing equity and opportunity. The event highlighted the organization's focus on the intersection of education and health equity in communities of color.
HSI President and CEO Donald J. Dew emphasized the fundamental relationship between race, health equity, and education during the ceremony. "When communities of color face barriers to quality education, those inequities ripple into health outcomes, economic stability, and overall well-being," Dew stated, framing the awards within a broader context of systemic change.
The 2025 honorees included Paul J. Adams, III of Providence St. Mel School; Bernard Clay of Introspect Youth Services, Inc.; Creasie Finney Hairston, Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago; award-winning poet and publisher Haki Madhubuti; Carol D. Lee from Northwestern University; Lisa W. Rollins of the United Negro College Fund; and David Sanders of Malcolm X College. These leaders represent decades of commitment to educational excellence and access, with some contributing for more than 50 years.
The event also featured special remarks from Chairman Lester Barclay, Esq., Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chicago, with a portion of proceeds supporting Jamaican Hurricane relief efforts alongside student stipends and HSI's community health initiatives. This international connection underscores the global dimensions of equity work.
Beyond the awards ceremony, Dew has launched a significant national movement through the concept of Historically Black Community Based Organizations (HBCBOs). This initiative represents a clarion call for increased support and recognition for organizations that bridge gaps in the social safety-net. By sharing strategies and resources, the movement aims to strengthen local communities nationwide. More information about this developing framework is available at https://www.historicallyblackcbo.org/.
Dew's leadership extends to international accreditation through his role as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), where he serves as the first African-American to hold this position. His re-election continues his work in this capacity after initially being elected in 2022. Under his guidance, HSI became one of the first African-American led organizations to achieve international CARF accreditation in 1991, maintaining this standard annually since.
The organization continues its comprehensive behavioral health, housing, and human services across 17 Chicago communities, addressing everything from mental health and disability support to affordable housing and healthcare transformation. Those interested in supporting these initiatives can find additional information at http://www.habiitative.org.
For business and technology leaders, the recognition of education's role in health equity represents an important consideration for corporate social responsibility and community investment strategies. The development of the HBCBO framework suggests new models for public-private partnerships and resource allocation that could influence how organizations approach community engagement and equity initiatives nationwide.
