Celebrating 10 Years of Partnerships
Event Summary
To mark 10 years of powerful partnerships and Dr. Teresa Córdova’s decade of leadership at the Great Cities Institute (GCI), friends, collaborators, and public leaders gathered on December 15, 2022, for an evening of celebration, reflection, and inspiration—affirming a shared commitment to democracy, equity, and community-centered change.
Featuring keynote speaker Juan González—award-winning journalist, co-host of Democracy Now!, and author of Harvest of Empire—the event examined why democracy matters now more than ever. González’s remarks connected land use, housing, taxation, and media to the everyday workings of democracy, highlighting how hidden policy decisions shape inequality and civic power in urban communities.
A dynamic panel discussion, moderated by Kathleen Yang-Clayton, brought together leaders from government, education, and the nonprofit sector to explore how systemic inequities can be challenged from within institutions. Panelists reflected on administrative power, community accountability, and the importance of participatory practices—such as participatory budgeting, youth civic engagement, and community-driven development—in building more just and inclusive cities.
Special remarks from UIC Interim Chancellor Javier Reyes and Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton underscored GCI’s role as a convener, partner, and catalyst for research that is both rigorous and deeply rooted in lived experience. Speakers celebrated the Institute’s impact across Chicago and beyond, recognizing how sustained partnerships transform research into action.
More than a milestone, Celebrating 10 Years of Partnerships honored the people, relationships, and shared values that make Great Cities possible—reaffirming that meaningful urban change happens not through policy made for communities, but through work done with them.