Leaders Network elects new president
The faith-based organization voted unanimously for David Cherry

A prominent West Side religious organization has a new president. The Leaders Network, the faith-based social justice organization, swore in David Cherry, the head of the Chicago-based All Stars Project, during the Leaders' Network's monthly meeting and annual Martin Luther King Jr. celebration, held Jan. 14, at Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd.
"I am honored to accept my new role as president of the Leaders Network," Cherry said in a statement on his Facebook page. "I am joining our extraordinary Founders and Co-Chairs Ira J. Acree, Marshall Pastor Hatch and Cy Fields as leaders to end the tale of two cities in Chicago and create One Chicago where which works for everyone regardless of race or zip code."
Cherry replaces Fields as the organization's president. Fields, the pastor of the New Landmark Baptist Church in East Garfield Park, co-founded the Leaders Network in 2005 with Hatch, the pastor of the New Mt. Pilgrim Baptist Church in West Garfield Park, and Acree, the pastor of the St. John Bible Church in Austin.
The organization "was birthed out of a mobilization effort of dozens of Chicago west side churches to donate disaster relief funds to aid families victimized by Hurricane Katrina," according to a statement the Leaders Network released last week.
Cherry is the Leaders Network's second president and the first elected president since the organization established presidential term limits last October. According to the statement, Cherry's election was unanimous.
"Cherry has extensive and first-hand knowledge of the social issues in poor African-American and Latino communities, particularly those confronting inner-city youth," the statement reads.
"For more than 25 years, Cherry, a highly skilled and dedicated community organizer and activist, and a native New Yorker, helped diverse communities develop around issues of democracy, social justice and inclusion," the statement explains.
At last Tuesday's meeting, the Leaders Network also swore in Deborah Williams as secretary and Eric L. Pernell as treasurer. Rabbi Max Weiss, of Oak Park Temple, was presented with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Beloved Community Award.
The Leaders Network's meetings take place at 9:30 a.m., every second Tuesday of each month, at the Columbus Park Refectory, 5701 W. Jackson Blvd.
CONTACT: michael@austinweeklynews.com
Love the News?
Become our partner in independent community journalism
Thanks for turning to Austin Weekly News and AustinWeeklyNews.com. We love our thousands of digital-only readers. Now though we're asking you to partner up in paying for our reporters and photographers who report this news. It had to happen, right?
On the plus side, we're giving you a simple way, and a better reason, to join in. We're now a non-profit -- Growing Community Media -- so your donation is tax deductible. And signing up for a monthly donation, or making a one-time donation, is fast and easy.
No threats from us. The news will be here. No paywalls or article countdowns. We're counting on an exquisite mix of civic enlightenment and mild shaming. Sort of like public radio.
Claim your bragging rights. Become a digital member.
Reader Comments
No Comments - Add Your Comment
Note: This page requires you to login with Facebook to comment.
Facebook Connect
Answer Book 2019
To view the full print edition of the Austin Weekly News 2019 Answer Book, please click here. |
Quick Links
Sign-up to get the latest news updates for Austin and Garfield Park. | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Advertise | Classified |
Multimedia | Contact us |
Submit Letter To The Editor | |
Place a Classified Ad |
Latest Comments
As Historical society member and Chicago Treestorian...
By Scott Ericksen
Posted: December 12th, 2020 3:06 AM
Natural herbal formula we ordered from AKANNI HERBAL...
By Anganathi Silwana
Posted: November 14th, 2020 9:54 AM
6700 West North Ave Chicago is this development going...
By Ken Schemmel
Posted: November 12th, 2020 8:51 PM
La casa Montessori moved to 608 Harrison St. Oak Park...
By Saul Soberanes
Posted: October 24th, 2020 12:10 PM
I am absolutely blown away by the service at Gala-Tec!...
By Andrea Sansone Smolek
Posted: October 23rd, 2020 2:44 PM
On: Gala-Tec
PD natural herbal formula we ordered from AKANNI...
By Bongani Moses
Posted: October 12th, 2020 7:07 PM
The problem is illegal immigration and employers, like...
By Coetta Wilson
Posted: October 10th, 2020 5:50 PM
This is a testimony this year 2020. on the 2nd month...
By Eruel Balanquit
Posted: October 6th, 2020 1:59 PM
This is a testimony this year 2020. on the 2nd month...
By Eruel Balanquit
Posted: October 5th, 2020 6:34 PM
My husband was diagnosed of Parkinsons disease 2 years...
By Susan Thomson
Posted: October 3rd, 2020 10:21 PM