2026 Chicago Finalists

Dr. Gayles is a health care leader with extensive experience advancing public health and health equity across government, the private sector, and academia. As CEO of Howard Brown Health, he brings visionary leadership to promoting LGBTQ+ health and reducing systemic barriers to care.

Chicago-based chef Dominique Leach is a classically trained chef and nationally recognized pitmaster known for her acclaimed barbecue. Inspired by her grandmother’s Mississippi cooking, she co-founded Cater to You Events & Drop Offs. She later launched Lexington Betty Smokehouse, which gained national attention through appearances on Chopped and Fire Masters and recognition from Good Morning America as serving some of the best barbecue in Chicago.

Born and raised on the South Side of Chicago, Myah is a proud Black trans woman whose resilience and passion have shaped more than twelve years of dedicated service in the LGBTQ community. Her work has centered on advocacy, empowerment, and creating safe spaces for queer and trans people of color. From grassroots organizing to leading community initiatives, she has been a consistent voice for inclusion, justice, and visibility. Today, she continues to inspire others by turning her personal journey into a testament of strength, pride, and the power of representation.

Darius is the founder of The Closet Unlocked and director of institutional partnerships for Black Alphabet NFP. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and media producer, he uses education as a catalyst for systemic change and is committed to empowering leaders and expanding opportunities for under-resourced and underrepresented communities.

(CWAP) is committed to empowering women living with HIV and their families. The organization provides comprehensive support services, prevention education, and advocacy to enable women to manage their health and lead full, productive lives. For more than twenty years, CWAP has pursued this mission by offering a wide array of services that address the mental health, treatment, educational, and advocacy needs of women living with HIV, including those reentering society following incarceration.

UBtheCURE is a Chicago-based organization operating at the intersection of faith, health, and human rights, with a focus on HIV and AIDS awareness, advocacy, and capacity building, as well as LGBTQIA+, gender, and racial justice. Faith is the common thread that weaves through UBtheCURE’s work, grounded in the belief that faith itself is a social determinant of health. UBtheCURE maintains a diverse portfolio of local, regional, and global partnerships, from serving as the ally institution for the Chicago Mind, Body, and Soul Health and Wellness Circle for same-gender-loving Black men, to acting as an official faith partner of the 2026 National Trans Visibility March, to managing and administering the HIV Vaccine Trials Network External Relations Research Project. UBtheCURE’s guiding organizational ethos is to treat people, not just dis-ease. Dr. Ulysses W. Burley III is the Founder and CEO of UBtheCURE LLC.

Peter is the creator and owner of ReformedSchool and the creative director of marketing for Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. A dancer turned designer, he uses fashion to promote sustainability and cultural awareness through handmade wearable art that repurposes materials and celebrates Black culture and history.

Jerry is a passionate entrepreneur and a staunch advocate for LGBTQ rights. He is committed to promoting equality and inclusivity in society.