Dr. Toinette Gunn Named Crain’s Chicago Notable Black Leader
Congratulations to our own Dr. Toinette Gunn, President and CEO of LINK Unlimited Scholars, for being named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Black Leaders—for the second time in recent years! Recognizing Dr. Gunn’s leadership, contributions, and influence in the Chicago business community, the award was announced online on September 23 at ChicagoBusiness.com and in the print issue of Crain’s Chicago Business.
As President and CEO of LINK, Dr. Gunn is responsible for overseeing all aspects of LINK’s operations, including strategic direction, fundraising, and programming—and she’s certainly more than qualified to handle the job, with more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector providing thousands of at-risk students with quality educational programs through youth-serving organizations such as Chicago Debates (where she was first named to Crain’s Chicago Business’ Notable Black Leaders), Chicago Scholars, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois (BHGH), Chicago’s Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids (PEAK), and Student Mentor Partners in Detroit, Michigan.
In her two years as LINK’s president and CEO, Dr. Gunn has awarded nearly $700k in scholarships to students from low- to moderate-income families toward quality private education. She has provided Scholars with more than 2,000 hours of social emotional support and college counseling/advising, which helped 100% of the class of 2023 to graduate from high school and matriculate to college having received millions in scholarships awards. (Still awaiting final information on the class of 2024!)
Dr. Gunn has doubled the enrollment in the Jr. LINK middle school program and re-established community partnerships to expand Scholar resources and opportunities. She has raised more than $1 million in new, increased, or lapsed funding while implementing financial procedures to improve and increase donor payments. She has also reduced administrative expenses and reallocated funding for programmatic initiatives at LINK.
In addition to leading the charge at LINK, Dr. Gunn is a Chicago Urban League and University of Chicago Booth Graduate School of Business IMPACT Fellow, a King Chavez Parks Future Faculty Fellow, the founder of the McClellan Family Foundation, and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
“Education is certainly the most transformational experience and opportunity that I’ve had access to in my life,” Dr. Gunn said. “I firmly believe in the power that education holds in breaking negative intergenerational cycles. Simply having access and opportunities are game-changers, especially for Black youth. It diversifies their experiences. It expands their viewpoint of the world and opens up possibilities for them. It’s transformative.”
Having been a Black low-income and first-generation college student herself, Dr. Gunn knows firsthand how access to quality educational programs can bridge the opportunity gap and break the cycle of poverty. She has dedicated her life to working in organizations that provide at-risk youth with quality educational opportunities, access to college, supportive services to persist through college, leadership and career readiness skill development, and mentoring through leadership roles within international organizations.
This passion also drives her personal commitment to service and giving back as evidenced through the McClellan Family Foundation, which she founded more than 15 years ago. Annually, the foundation awards thousands of dollars to community organizations across Chicagoland and beyond to support education and youth.
“Dr. Gunn is an invaluable resource to LINK Unlimited Scholars, and her leadership is needed now more than ever,” said Camielle Taylor, Managing Director, Scholar Support. “LINK has been around for a long time (nearly 60 years!), and we’re in an exciting season of evolution as we begin to introduce new approaches while also staying true to our roots and continuing our legacy. Dr. Gunn’s tireless efforts to ensure we have the team, resources, insight, and guidance to sustain, revive, and increase LINK’s impact have set us up to truly thrive and continue to be an organization that offers incredible opportunities for the kids in Chicago who need them the most.”
Congrats, Dr. Gunn! We’re so proud of you!
