Interview with Chicago Urban League CEO
Interview with Chicago Urban League CEO
Pastor Kent Munsey and Karen Freeman-Wilson
June 28, 2020
“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.”
Luke 2:52 (KJV)
In an interview with Karen Freeman-Wilson, we learn about her role as the current Chicago Urban League CEO, her early influences, positions she has held during her Christian service journey as she works to improve the lives of those whom the cards are stacked against before they’re even dealt. In recounting Freeman-Wilson’s journey and the Urban League purpose, we get to see service options that can support her efforts. We can lend an ear and a helping hand to better the lives of others.
The Urban League in Chicago has focused on social justice for 100 years including economic empowerment, educational achievement, research on policy, entrepreneurship, and financial assistance. Karen Freeman-Wilson was the mayor of Gary, Indiana from 2012 to 2019. She also worked as a judge and as the Indiana attorney general. When asked if she saw herself as a leader, Freeman-Wilson explained that her mother emphasized service and that she set a great example for servant leadership while working as a secretary for the NAACP. As a young girl, she had a front-row seat as the organization handled securing voting rights and numerous social justice-related issues. Freeman-Wilson was educated at Roosevelt High School and went on to Harvard to obtain her undergraduate and law degrees. Her faith played a tremendous role in her development and is her anchor in adversity as well as triumph.
Freeman-Wilson emphasized how the pandemic has affected the black and brown communities even more than other communities. Additionally, the weight of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd’s deaths added onto COVID-19 have become too much for this community to bear.
The question of addressing systemic racism and the legislation of separate substandard education may be new topics for some, but there is a path for that. Whether in the workplace or on boards, there is now a greater openness to facing these issues. The racial wealth gap has had an impact on people for generations. People who want to know more should not hold back because they don’t want to ask a stupid question; this needs to be a community discussion as well as a conversation in the church. Freeman-Wilson recommends reading books by the late Ida B. Wells.
In Luke 2:52 we learn that Jesus took 30 years to sit at the feet of other leaders to learn. How much more should we do the same and learn, grow, and help to advocate with practical steps?
There are specific needs for police reform, shared business knowledge with local businesses, and support for educational opportunities. Freeman-Wilson welcomes City Church’s involvement because there is a lot of work to be done. This is how the church can transcend its service from within its four walls to the entire city.
Reflection/Discussion Questions:
1. What has moved you most about this challenge to advocate for others?
2. What do you need to do to become part of the solution?
3. How does advocacy beyond the church walls relate to Christ’s call to be his hands and feet?