Cynthia Y. Cobbs Class of 2025

Committed to access to the courts and the fair administration of justice, Justice Cynthia Y. Cobbs has served as justice on the Illinois Appellate Court since 2015. Justice Cobbs began her judicial career in 2011 as a trial judge on the Circuit Court of Cook County. But her commitment to fairness and access to justice began long before she became a judge.

In March 2002, Justice Cobbs was appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court as the first woman and first African American to serveas Director of the Illinois Courts. As the eighth-ranking constitutional officer in the judicial branch, then Director Cobbs assisted the Supreme Court in supervising and overseeing the work of the Illinois courts.

As a lawyer, Justice Cobbs served as the Senior Judicial Law Clerk to Justice Charles E. Freeman, the first African American to serveas a justice on the Illinois Supreme Court. Justice Cobbs had also clerked for Justice Freeman on the Appellate Court, the same court on which she now serves as a justice.

Before becoming a lawyer, Justice Cobbs worked as a social worker, providing for children alleged to have been victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Justice Cobbs’ work as a clinician, which required her frequent appearance in the Maryland courts advocating for the protection of the children she served, was the genesis for her legal career.

A proponent of public service, Justice Cobbs currently serves on the boards of South Suburban PADS and the Illinois Judges Association. She previously served as president of the Illinois Judicial Council, as a trustee on the Supreme Court Judicial Education College Board and as a member of the Lawyers Lend a Hand to Youth board. She frequently mentors young attorneys seeking to one day become members of the judiciary. Justice Cobbs holds a B.A. (Sociology) from Morgan State University, a master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland, and a Juris Doctorate from IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law.

Sheila Chalmers-Currin Class of 2024

Mayor of Matteson, Illinois

Mayor Sheila Chalmers-Currin made history as the first African American woman elected as Mayor of Matteson, Illinois, in 2017. Her election marked a significant milestone in the village’s history, reflecting her trailblazing spirit and dedication to public service. Re-elected for a second term, Mayor Chalmers-Currin has demonstrated exceptional leadership, guiding Matteson through substantial economic and infrastructural growth.

Her tenure as Mayor is distinguished by numerous accomplishments, including achieving a balanced budget and improving the village’s bond rating. Under her leadership, Matteson transitioned to Home Rule status, enhancing local governance and community autonomy. Mayor Chalmers-Currin spearheaded the introduction of key businesses, such as Pete’s Fresh Market, Amazon, and Sam Distribution Center, which significantly boosted the local economy. She also facilitated the establishment of Illinois’ largest cultivation center and expanded the Manheim Business Center, reinforcing Matteson’s position as a commercial hub.

Georgiana Rose Simpson Class of 2024

First African-American PhD UChicago 1921

Georgiana Rose Simpson was born in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 1865, the eldest daughter of David and Catherine Simpson. She attended public school in Washington, D.C., and later received teacher-training at Minor Normal School. Simpson began her teaching career in 1885, working within German immigrant communities. Her former teacher, Dr. Lucy Moten, encouraged her to continue her education and formally study German in college.
At the age of 41, Simpson enrolled at UChicago, driven by her interest in German language and literature, as well as French. As an African American woman, she faced significant racism and discrimination. Shortly after her arrival, white students refused to share a dormitory with her, forcing her to live off-campus. Despite these challenges, Simpson earned three degrees from UChicago: A Bachelor of Arts in 1911, a Master of Arts in 1920, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1921 at the age of 55.

Debbie Meyers Martin Class of 2022

Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Epsilon Nu Sigma Chapter

Representative Meyers-Martin was born and raised in Chicago and currently resides in the Village of Olympia Fields, IL. She has lived in the Southland for over 40 years and raised two beautiful daughters. She is a respected visionary leader with over 20 years of commendable achievement. She is a graduate of University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), and a proud member of the Teamsters Union Local 916 and the Joint Council 25. She is also a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Epsilon Nu Sigma Chapter.

Representative Meyers-Martin is the first African American woman to serve as Mayor for the Village of Olympia Fields. While serving as Mayor, she brought a major retailer to the Village’s Business corridor that created over 300 jobs for the region and brought close to $1 million dollars in sales tax revenue to the Village of 5000 people. Moreover, she was instrumental in the Village’s partnership with Franciscan Health Hospital’s $116 million dollar expansion in Olympia Fields which allowed a major healthcare provider to remain in the south suburban region. Also while Mayor, Representative Meyers-Martin served as President of South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (a Council of Government that administers to 45 municipalities in the Southland Region). She created a municipal task force designed to address the needs of the region’s water supply and water rate challenges. She was appointed by then Governor Pat Quinn to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Committee where she and members of the Advisory Committee were responsible for consulting on major community EPA issues and beginning the discussion regarding the designation of Environmental Justice Communities.

Tracey V. BellClass of 2022

Pres-CEO of The FM Omni-Channel

Pres-CEO of The FM Omni-Channel, TRACEY V. BELL began her career as Executive Assistant of the Broadcast division, of Johnson Publishing Company’s, WJPC. She continued at Soft-Sheen as an Assistant Brand Manager. After Soft-Sheen, her career spiraled. Tracey accepted a role at Medela, Inc, a Swiss -owned company in McHenry, IL. In this role, she led strategy for feeding solutions for infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. After Medela, as Director of Marketing at Helen of Troy in El Paso, TX, she led Grooming Tools and Hair Accessories for the REVLON licensed brand. Required to live in Asia for 3 months each year, Tracey directed their development process from concept to shelf. Offered a position back in Chicago as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for direct marketer, Warm Spirit, Tracey led more than 2500 women business owners, and crowned the company’s 1st millionaire. At the Walgreens Corporation in Supplier Diversity, Tracey created multi-million-dollar procurement opportunities for minority businesses. Not in radio since being Executive Assistant at WJPC, in August 2019, Tracey acquired 95.1 FM. In March 2021, she became the FIRST and ONLY FM radio station owner to successfully transition an “FM” frequency to ALL-digital. Today, The FM Omni-Channel, is the #1 streaming radio station in the world, enjoyed in more than 100 countries. It is 3X’s larger than its closest competitor. Tracey’s educational journey includes University of Alabama, University of Alabama School of Law, Keller Graduate School of Management and Living Word Christian Center School of Ministry.