Page 140 - The Crown 2015-2017

The Lincoln Park Chicago Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction are the proud recipients
of the 2015-2017 5 Star Program Award. This honor was received for the Status of
Women program of work based on TLOD’s National “Back to Work” program. The
committee’s initiatives focused on workshops, clothing drives and culminated with a
Women’s Conference.

The development of this program grew out of an interest in a transitional facility,
Prosperity House. The facility housed men and women (separate facilities) who are
returning veterans, homeless, substance abusers and former inmates.

The goal was to initiate a program at Prosperity House that will provide residents with
tools to re-enter the workforce. Our primary focus was on the female residence however
we collected clothing and toiletries for the men’s facility. This effort was performed in
conjunction with our Dress for Success Program.

The LPCC SOW committee conducted numerous workshops including Resume Writing,
Interviewing Techniques and How to handle Conflict on the Job.

We are proud to report several of the ladies in Prosperity House were successful in
finding employment and transitioning to their own homes. Through the numerous
volunteer hours of the SOW committee, we were successful in assisting these women
with securing employment and consequentially their own housing.

The ladies of the LPCC of TLOD are so very proud to be a part of such a rewarding and
valuable program for our community. We look forward to continuing humanitarian
initiatives such as these in the future.

Lady Shanita Baraka Akintonde, Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Lincoln Park Chicago
Chapter (LPCC) named as Women of Excellence honoree by The Chicago Defender

(Lady Shanita Akintonde, CHICAGO—April 2017—Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. is
LPCC Charter member, First committed to service and Lincoln Park Chicago chapter takes
Vice President & Senior that mission to heart. Therefore, it should come as no surprise
Citizens Chair) that one of its charter members and current 1st VP is an honoree
at The Chicago Defender’s 11th Annual Women of Excellence
Awards ceremony this May. This highly anticipated event will
recognize 50 world-class women from the Chicago-area who’ve
displayed the highest level of leadership, and whose
commitment to excellence is empowering, and whose
achievements are unparalleled.

A tenured professor and administrative leader at Columbia
College Chicago, Lady Shanita has transitioned thousands of
students from the classroom to the boardroom. This award-
winning scholar, leader, business consultant, wife and mother is
passionate about family, fashion, food and the FANTASTIC Ladies
of TLOD. She is “proud and humbled” to accept this distinguished
award, which to date has been bestowed on over 500 of Chicago’s

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