Trust Talks

Episode 26: Building Opportunity, Block by Block (June 2026)

In this episode of Trust Talks, we explore new research from the University of Illinois Chicago’s Great Cities Institute examining both the economic activity and community experience shaped by We Rise Together investments.

This conversation is hosted by the Trust’s Maryah Phillips (Program Manager for the Neighborhood Capital Fund) and features Katherine Faydash (Great Cities Institute), Brenda Palms (President & CEO of North Lawndale Employment Network), and Jesse Iñiguez (Founder of Back of the Yards Coffee).

Episode 25: Transforming College Transfer Pathways in Illinois (April 2026)

In this episode of Trust Talks, we examine why improving the community college-to-four-year transfer process is a critical but often overlooked issue, what the research shows about challenges transfer students face, and how wraparound supports such as advising, financial assistance, and basic needs assistance can help keep students enrolled through graduation.

The conversation is hosted by the Trust’s Sonianne Lozada and features Juan Salgado (Chancellor of City Colleges of Chicago), Mike Abrahamson (Director of Policy & Research from the Partnership for College Completion), and Meg Bates (Director of Illinois Workforce and Education Research Collaborative—IWERC).