Chellee Rashad is a change agent in Englewood. A native Chicagoan born and raised in West Englewood, she returned to the city in 2014 after graduating from Howard University. Though Chellee was always passionate about where she grew up, she didn’t truly begin her life’s work in community development until she made the decision to quit her corporate job to focus 100% of her time on restoring her beloved community.

Chellee jump started her community work by becoming president of her block club and, in 2016, organized its first block party in more than two decades. After volunteering with Alderman David Moore’s office and networking with community leaders, she eventually found her way to the  Resident Association of Greater Englewood (R.A.G.E.) the organization’s first official staff member. After 7 months of hard work and dedication, Chellee was promoted to be R.A.G.E.’s program manager, catering to the neighborhood she loves through the implementation of numerous resident-focused initiatives such as the bi-monthly Englewood Village Meeting and So Fresh Saturdays, a community-wide family festival series.

In October 2017, Chellee accepted the Executive Director role with beloved community organization Imagine Englewood if (IEi) which is dedicated to advocating for youth empowerment and lead-free Englewood. In addition to her work engagements, Michelle is also a chair of the Englewood Quality of Life Plan’s Health and Wellness Task Force, co-chair of the 007th District Advisory Council and R.A.G.E member.

“I believe my life’s mission is to go above and beyond for my community. I’ve never been happier.”

This is #EnglewoodRising.

Photography by Tonika Johnson