Sophia Denise Dorsey King Home Address

From: [email protected] To: ward4candidate Subject: City of Chicago - Aldermanic Vacancy Application Form Date: Friday, March 04, 2016 4:40:34 PM

Application submitted online

Name: Sophia Denise Dorsey King Home Address: Home Phone: Employer: N/A Title/Position: N/A Business Address: N/A Business Phone: N/A Birth Date: Place of Birth: Boulder, Colorado Spouse's Name:

Have you ever been a candidate for public office? No

If yes, please list office:

Education: Northwestern University - Master of Science, Education and Social Policy University of Illinois – Champaign Urbana – Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

Government Experience: Appointed by then 4th Ward Alderman Toni Preckwinkle to the Kenwood Park Advisory Council (KPAC) after a conflict arose in the community over Park usage.

Community Involvement: TITO (The It’s Time Organization), Founding Board Member and Strategic Plan Leader

Mission: To access funds from large public and private sources to invest in programs that will have the greatest short and long term impact on gun violence in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th wards.

Harriet’s Daughters, President and Founder Vision: Eliminating all disparities in employment and wealth for African American adults and youth. Mission: Harriet’s Daughters is a group of professional women working collectively with peer organizations to advocate for, create and support policies and processes that secure employment and wealth creation opportunities for African-American communities. Harriet’s Daughters met with the Governor and Mayor on a variety of topics including more parity in procurement and procurement opportunities. We have been particularly focused on the amount of waivers issued. Harriet’s Daughters collaborates with other stakeholders to leverage job opportunities for African Americans on the Southside of Chicago like Skills for Chicagoland’s Future, the Incubator at University of Chicago and North Lawndale Employment Network.

Chosen Few Picnic (CFP) Manager/ Co-Founder Manage the largest predominantly African American Festival in the country with over 35,000 attendees. CFP is a positive asset and festival in the community. It has plans to have mini festivals in underserved communities throughout Chicago to help with gun violence prevention.

CAPS Former CAPS captain

Military Service: No Social Media: www harrietsdaughters.org Instagram - KingSophiaDenise

Criminal History: No

Indebtedness: No

Statement-Strengths: My strategic approach to problem solving is seasoned with an authentic respect for the diverse concerns and experiences of the people who are impacted. I have a record of integrity, open communication, accountability and getting things done. As I have in the past, should I have the honor of serving the residents of the 4th Ward and as a member of the City Council, I will utilize and leverage all of the resources and assets within my reach to bring positive change to the Ward and the City. I will also draw on my knowledge in housing, education, job-creation and gun violence prevention to help solve the primary issues facing the Ward. I have been the driving force behind many ambitious initiatives, several of which have had direct positive impact on the Ward. I strive to recognize and develop the talents of others, balancing leadership with appropriate delegation. In short, I have the ability and a track record of galvanizing people to achieve positive outcomes.

I also understand that much of the position of Alderman is about interacting with constituents and ensuring effective Ward services. I have no misconceptions about the hard work and organization that this entails. However, I thoroughly enjoy people, building relationships and solving their problems. As a result, I already interact regularly with stakeholders in the 4th Ward.

Finally, I can genuinely say that I love the 4th Ward. It represents a rare and wonderful example of diversity among races, religions, incomes and politics. The richness of the social fabric can present conflicting priorities, but also opportunity for empathy, learning and innovation. My husband and I have lived in the Ward for 28 years, raising our two daughters in the Kenwood neighborhood. It would be an honor to serve this community as Alderman.

Statement-Opinion: The issue of public safety, particularly as it pertains to youth gun violence, is paramount to the quality of life in the 4th Ward and elsewhere. Public safety is built upon successfully balancing other social constructs like quality education and parity in economic development to create an environment that does not provide fertile ground for criminal behavior.

Immediate solutions to public safety like more community engagement; better use of assets in the Ward; leveraging connections to direct private dollars toward programs with historical success; opportunities for positive activities like youth internships/jobs; and co-curricular activities in conjunction with thoughtful community policing come to mind.

Long-term solutions to public safety include increasing development in the Ward; ensuring our youth have access to the highest quality education and providing affordable housing to residents in order to offer a platform for growth and prosperity. In addition, new sets of economic opportunities will lay the groundwork for stability in the ward.

Nothing stops a bullet like a job! Employment opportunities along with other positive engagement for our youth and underserved populations are vital. Our team would use every resource, public and private, to increase job opportunities in the Ward. We would reach out to constituents as well as other stakeholders, the University of Chicago, Aldermen and the Mayor’s office for best practices to diversify and enrich the economic footprint of the ward.

As a resident of the 4th ward for almost 30 years, I have been an active, vocal and engaged community member. Focused passion and hard work along with leveraging community and human assets has been the cornerstone of my past successes; these are the very same tools I will use to confront all issues relevant to the 4th ward.

Resume Attachment: King Resume - 4th.pdf Recommendation Letter 1: Arne Duncan Rec..pdf

Recommendation Letter 2: Pastor Chris Harris.pdf

Recommendation Letter 3: Pat Ford Rec.pdf

Voter Registration ID : Sophia King Voter Registration Card.pdf SOPHIA DORSEY KING

Seasoned entrepreneur, community activist and leader, volunteer, appointed and elected administrator, and educational, job and equal rights advocate with more than 25 years of demonstrated professional and personal commitment. Productive and successful track record for initiating, implementing and driving positive outcomes.

PROFESSIONAL & CIVIC EXPERIENCE HARRIET’S DAUGHTERS http://www.harrietsdaughters.org Chicago, IL 2011-Present Founder/Chair 501(C) (3) established in 2010 to secure opportunities for employment and creation of wealth among African American communities through creation and support of related policies and procedures. • Interviewed all mayoral (2010/2014) and gubernatorial (2014) candidates to spotlight attention on businesses, jobs and government contracts for African Americans • Actively assists to increase capacity of various organizations seeking to employ African Americans • Maintains contact with Mayor Rahm Emanuel to address disparities related to City contracts and procurement, and use of waivers that impede diversity • Interacts with Governor Bruce Rauner and monitors activity to reveal and correct inequities in State business and senior level appointments to boards and commissions that affect State spending • Collaborates with other stakeholders to leverage job opportunities for African Americans on the Southside of Chicago

KENWOOD PARK ADVISORY COUNCIL Chicago, IL 2008-2015 President Initially appointed by Alderman Toni Preckwinkle. Subsequently elected President

• Collaborated with the Chicago Park District and the surrounding community to improve Kenwood/Shoesmith Park • Worked to resolve community conflicts regarding park usage • Unified stakeholders to establish numerous park improvements

CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS Chicago, IL 2001-2003 Deputy Director/Consultant, Sports Administration & Facilities Management Facilitated strategic plans, developed and implemented new policies, and insured the efficiency and effectiveness of the largest Sports Program in the country. • Performed analysis and made recommendations • Streamlined opportunities to incorporate co-curricular activities that resulted in retention, reduced gang-related affiliation and other positive outcomes • Managed a staff of 30 and a $12M budget

BRUSH STROKES Chicago, IL 1997-2003 Owner/Manager Responsible for all business operations and management of staff for a paint-your-own-ceramics business in Hyde Park.

I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION Chicago, IL 1996-1997 Director of Planning & Development Designed and developed a successful proposal for a School in the North Lawndale Community. • Created budget, governance structure, educational program and community collaboration • Consulted with community stakeholders regarding the School concept • Organized and managed a planning committee of 50 that included community members, educators, CEOs, philanthropists and individuals from various non-profit organizations • Drafted Illinois policy for Chicago Public Schools interest

THE ARIEL COMMUNITY ACADEMY Chicago, IL 1992-1997 Volunteer and Founder Ariel Community Academy (ACA) was born from a desire to bring best practices from the Latin School to the South Side of Chicago. Currently, ACA is a hub for the community and school activity, and is an asset that has contributed to the vibrancy of the neighborhood.

SOPHIA DORSEY KING Page 2

• Launched a tutor/mentor cohort, initially housed in Kennicott Park and supported by the 4th Ward Ariel Foundation’s Dreamer program • Engaged other volunteers and staff to create the ACA, a public school in North Kenwood • Collaborated to develop the curriculum, assist with management, secure a path forward • Served on the ACA’s first local school council • Identified and introduced Lynette Coleman to the founding committee, who became the first Principal of ACA and who remains its leader today

THE LATIN SCHOOL OF CHICAGO Chicago, IL 1991-1996 Associate to the Head of School • Collaborated with Head of School on projects and developed policy on Math, Science & Technology, Capital Campaign, Faculty Recruitment, Statistical Analysis of School, and Long Range Planning • Created policy on Diversity/Multiculturalism • Recruited, interviewed and assessed teaching candidates Associate Director of Admissions • Recruited the most diverse and academically celebrated freshmen class in history of school • Directed Admissions for middle and upper school • Implemented new marketing strategies Chemistry Teacher Varsity Girls’ Soccer Coach

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF Evanston, IL 1990-1991 EDUCATION & SOCIAL POLICY Manager, Master of Science Program • Managed daily operations including student recruitment, advising, placement and counseling

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES • Planned Parenthood, Chicago Area Past Vice Chair & Board Member • Obama for America 2008 Presidential Campaign Volunteer • Ariel Education Initiative Past Board Member • South East Chicago Commission Past Board Member • TITO Gun Violence Prevention Initiative Founding Board Member • Chicago Police Department Community Liaison • “Chosen Few” Annual Festival Production Manager & Local/City Official Coordinator

EDUCATION NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Evanston, IL 1998 Master of Science, Education and Social Policy UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Urbana, IL 1990 Bachelor of Science, Chemistry

REFERENCES - 4th Ward Residents

Mario Gage, Former ACA Student, Investor Services Associate, Ariel Investments, [email protected] Jesse Ruiz, Attorney, Drinker Biddle & Reath, [email protected] Marty Nesbitt, Prseident, Vistria, [email protected] Sidney Dillard, Partner, Loop Capital Markets, [email protected]

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