Disability Rights events Palatine Jaycees
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Good evening Beautiful people-
The Palatine Jaycees are bringing you the biggest inclusion event to hit the NW Burbs. We have secured a guest speaker (Emily Blum) who is a nationally recognized disability rights advocate, we have gotten approval from such Palatine favorites like JLs to hand out brochures and we are ready to show the Palatine community that "inclusion, diversity and equity" are the expectation not the exception. Come out for an afternoon full of honest dialoge, discussion and empowerment.
The Afternoon will be capped off by a panel featuring 4-5 success stories. Please see below for names
Biswa P- Business Service Consultant for the State of Illinois
Erick Martinez- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Sr with the State of Illinois
Benjamin Salentine- Commish of the commission diversity equity and inclusion
We are still securing two more panelists.
Emily Blum
Chief Executive Officer
she/her/hers
Fellow 2018
Emily Blum was named Executive Director of Disability Lead in 2019 when the organization was established as an independent 501C3. In 2025, she was promoted to CEO.
Believing disability leadership is essential to creating an inclusive and equitable Chicago region, she directs the organization’s efforts to develop and build and network of leaders with disabilities who lead with power and influence. A seasoned nonprofit leader, Emily has more than 20 years’ experience bringing stakeholders together to create and implement effective communications strategies around complex social and political issues.
Prior to joining Disability Lead, Emily held senior positions at some of Chicago’s leading nonprofits, including Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF), and Heartland Alliance. At all three organizations, she drove branding and strategic messaging campaigns that created new kinds of conversations with a wide variety of audiences.
Emily serves on New Disabled South's Advisory Committee, Senator Duckworth’s Independent Review Board, Metropolitan Planning Council's Advisory Council, and is a Member of the Chicago Economic Club where she serves on the Membership Committee. She was named a 2022 Leader for a New Chicago by the Field and MacArthur Foundations and was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of UpTide, a nonprofit accelerator launched by 92NY. Emily was featured in The Chicago Tribune, and has op-eds published in The Chicago Sun-Times, and Crain’s Chicago Business. Under her leadership, Disability Lead won a Chicago Innovation Award in 2024.
The Palatine Jaycees are bringing you the biggest inclusion event to hit the NW Burbs. We have secured a guest speaker (Emily Blum) who is a nationally recognized disability rights advocate, we have gotten approval from such Palatine favorites like JLs to hand out brochures and we are ready to show the Palatine community that "inclusion, diversity and equity" are the expectation not the exception. Come out for an afternoon full of honest dialoge, discussion and empowerment.
The Afternoon will be capped off by a panel featuring 4-5 success stories. Please see below for names
Biswa P- Business Service Consultant for the State of Illinois
Erick Martinez- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Sr with the State of Illinois
Benjamin Salentine- Commish of the commission diversity equity and inclusion
We are still securing two more panelists.
Emily Blum
Chief Executive Officer
she/her/hers
Fellow 2018
Emily Blum was named Executive Director of Disability Lead in 2019 when the organization was established as an independent 501C3. In 2025, she was promoted to CEO.
Believing disability leadership is essential to creating an inclusive and equitable Chicago region, she directs the organization’s efforts to develop and build and network of leaders with disabilities who lead with power and influence. A seasoned nonprofit leader, Emily has more than 20 years’ experience bringing stakeholders together to create and implement effective communications strategies around complex social and political issues.
Prior to joining Disability Lead, Emily held senior positions at some of Chicago’s leading nonprofits, including Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC), Chicago Humanities Festival (CHF), and Heartland Alliance. At all three organizations, she drove branding and strategic messaging campaigns that created new kinds of conversations with a wide variety of audiences.
Emily serves on New Disabled South's Advisory Committee, Senator Duckworth’s Independent Review Board, Metropolitan Planning Council's Advisory Council, and is a Member of the Chicago Economic Club where she serves on the Membership Committee. She was named a 2022 Leader for a New Chicago by the Field and MacArthur Foundations and was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of UpTide, a nonprofit accelerator launched by 92NY. Emily was featured in The Chicago Tribune, and has op-eds published in The Chicago Sun-Times, and Crain’s Chicago Business. Under her leadership, Disability Lead won a Chicago Innovation Award in 2024.
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Where is it happening?
Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5910, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherMehta Rak
