A confident, reassuring presence during Gov. Pritzker’s daily covid briefings, Dr. Ngozi Ezike in 2022 left the Illinois Department of Public Health to lead Sinai Chicago. And, while steering this major, 105-year-old Chicago healthcare institution, she’s keeping her eye on the broader picture. “Understanding health care is more than what happens wi…

Mary Meg McCarthy is the Executive Director of Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice CenterDi First Friday Club of Chicago

"The Sacredness of Storytelling" Through the power of stories that speak to the heart, Otis Moss III tackles the theme of democracy—and what we can do in this moment, when we fear that ours is coming apart at the seams. “Appropriate storytelling leads to appropriate action,” he says. “If you don’t have the right story, you repeat the last chapter o…

Shermann 'Dilla Thomas: "Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago" : Chicago's Urban Historian Shares his passion for teaching people about the city he loves. Also, a special performance from the Leo High School Choir.Di First Friday Club of Chicago

Join us to hear how the Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul traces his commitment to social justice back to his Haitian immigrant parents and his childhood on Chicago’s South SideDi First Friday Club of Chicago

Howard Reich, son of Holocaust survivors and journalist for the Chicago Tribune, was handed a simple assignment to interview Elie Wiesel, best known for his famous Holocaust memoir Night and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Daily phone calls and multiple in-person meetings with Wiesel would eventually turn Reich’s “simple” assignment into four y…

Arts in Chicago: Remaining Relevant Barbara Gaines, founder and recently retired Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater, has been instrumental in bringing outstanding stage productions to Chicago for 37 years. Beginning in 1986, with an inaugural performance on a pub’s roof top in Lincoln Park, Barbara's creativity, intelligence and hard …

Violence in Chicago - Do We Want a Solution or a Band-Aid? Father Michael Pfleger of St. Sabina parish has long been an impassioned voice against injustice in its many forms in our city and our nation. He will address what Chicago must do to stem the tide of gun violence that so stubbornly afflicts our city. Father Pfleger has consistently spoken o…

Sports in our changing culture: Why we still lavish faith, hope, and love on America’s second religion Certain questions in sports have more serious ramifications than the ever-popular “How ‘bout dem Bears?” Consider the meteoric rise of sports gambling, or the now acknowledged risk of severe brain injuries in football. Not to mention the middle cl…

A lawyer first, an author second: A reflection on the development of the law in his lifetime and its impact on society and his books. For more than 30 years, Scott Turow has been fortunate to be a bestselling author.. Beginning with Presumed Innocent published in 1987 to his to his current legal thriller, Suspect, he has written 14 novels, all New …

Sometimes it causes me to tremble: Let Lent lead us through our fears for the future of the church The Catholic Church in the US faces some daunting realities: falling attendance, suspicion of the institution, and young people who are opting out of religion altogether. How does Sister Barbara Reid, who heads up a school that trains seminarians and …

Rooftop Pastor works to break the cycle of violence, poverty and racism in Woodlawn Pastor Corey Brooks of New Beginnings Church and founder of Project Hood is leading the Woodlawn neighborhood as they create a safer place and give their children the tools to reach for a brighter future. Spending nearly a year on a Woodlawn rooftop, raising awarene…

A Wild Ride: How the Holy Spirit Propelled me from Business School to the Boardroom to Battling Poverty Heralded by her peers as a “natural change agent,” Sally Blount has made her mark not only in the corporate world but in the field of academia—she served as dean at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management for eight years. Her ability to pivot…

Rediscovering Awe and Mystery: What Science and Faith Can Tell Us This Advent Long before he became a priest, Chicago’s Father John Kartje was a scientist, getting a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the University of Chicago. What’s the one constant between these two vocations? “Both the scientist and the person of faith are always engaging with mystery,…

Friday, November 4, 2022 12:00 PM 1:15 PM Union League Club Chicago (map) It's a Whole New Ballgame: Guiding Our Next Generation Through Anxious Times As depression rates increase dramatically, especially among teens and young adults, learn why it's important for everyone to understand what's happening. What young people face today looks nothing li…

The First Friday Club welcomes Fr. Gregory Boyle, SJ, founder of Homeboy IndustriesDi First Friday Club of Chicago

On May 20th, 2019, Ms. Lori Lightfoot succeeded in becoming the first black female and openly gay Mayor of Chicago. We welcomed her to be our March 2020 speaker.Di First Friday Club of Chicago

Di First Friday Club of Chicago

Di First Friday Club of Chicago

On Friday, December 6, 2019, at Noon, in the President's Hall : 2nd Floor of the Union League Club The First Friday Club Welcomes Fr. Edward Foley Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality, Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union "Advent: The Art of Paying Attention" Most Christians think that Advent is preparation for the "birth o…

The First Friday Club Welcomes Edward J. Wehmer Founder, President & CEO of Wintrust "Faith at Work...Let's Talk About It" A great champion of local business and advocate for entrepreneurs, Wehmer will discuss the challenges of maintaining faith and values while growing professionally. Please join us as we welcome Edward J. Wehmer, Founder, Preside…

Alan Krashesky walked through the door of Channel 7 in Chicago as a 21 year old. Now, 37 years later, he has become the dean of broadcast journalists in the Chicago television market. He is considered one of the top reporters in the Chicago market, and has been praised for his coverage of the Catholic Church.…

In a conversation format Rick Kogan will chat with Fr. Cusick about the issues he raises in his recently released book, “Never Be Ordinary – Wisdom from My Father.”Di First Friday Club of Chicago

“Challenging One of the Last Social Taboos – Discrimination Against Mental Health, Addiction, and Other Brain Diseases”Di First Friday Club of Chicago

The First Friday Club of Chicago in Cooperation with the Authors Group (Union League Club) Welcomes Ms. Joy Loverde Author: Who Will Take Care of Me When I’m Old? and The Complete Eldercare Planner Who will address the topic: “Caring for Aging Parents and Loved Ones while Planning for Your Future Self - Are You Ready?” The Baby Boom Generation has …

On Friday, February 1, at Noon, in the Presidents Hall of the Union League Club, The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Ms. Mary Meg McCarthy Executive Director National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) Who will address the topic: The Statue of Liberty Every Immigrant’s Dream of a Better LifeDi First Friday Club of Chicago

We welcome Arne Duncan as our January 2019 speaker.Di First Friday Club Chicago

We welcome Auxiliary Bishop Ron Hicks, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of ChicagoDi First Friday Club of Chicago

The First Friday Club welcomes our guest, Fr. Thomas HurleyDi First Friday Club of Chicago

The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Ms. Maureen Maher Award-Winning Investigative Journalist for the CBS News Magazine, 48 Hours Who Will Address the Topic “The World I want for my Daughter...and Son. Using Lessons from Our Time to Create a Better Future.”Di First Friday Club of Chicago

On Friday, April 6, 2018 in the Main Lounge of the Union League Club The First Friday Club Welcomes Mr. Kenneth L. Woodward Former Religion Editor, Newsweek Magazine Who will address the Topic? “Religion and American Politics: The Recent History of a Stormy Relationship” We have been told to avoid two topics in our conversations: religion and polit…

Violence is a Three-Sided Coin The out-of- control violence that plagues so many pockets of Chicago focuses on two elements: the perpetrators and the victims. Often they are described as opposite sides of the same coin, the 2 sides of a violent action. Yet there is another element that very often encircles those two sides. Violence between perpetra…

On the first Friday in February we are dealing with the issue of Homelessness. We want to get beyond the stereotype and, look deeply and honestly at this growing sad cultural issue that surrounds all of us. Too many social issues have become the victims of dishonest and unfair stereotypes. Yes. There are homeless people who beg on many of the stree…

The first Friday Club welcomes Father Gregory Boyle, founder of Homeboy IndustriesDi First Friday Club of Chicago

On Friday, December 1, 2017, At Noon In the Main Lounge of the Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes John Shea Author, Poet, Theologian, Storyteller Who will address the topic “Christmas: It Never Grows Old.” It will happen again very soon. We will gather around tables, in church pews, and on chairs and sofas in family rooms, …

Our Children, our future - protecting their health and well-being Health Care has been a major topic of political and social conversation for the past eight months as well as a recurring theme in our country for almost eight years.Di First Friday Club of Chicago

We welcome Justice Anne Burke, who discusses the founding of the Special OlympicsDi First Friday Club of Chicago

riday, May 5, 2017, At Noon At the Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes David Axelrod Political Commentator and Author Who will address the issue: “The Evolving Media and Political Landscape” David Axelrod was motivated by a sense of idealism at an early age. At 5 years old, he witnessed an inspiring speech by John F. Kennedy…

On Friday, April 7, 2017 The First Friday Club of Chicago in Cooperation with the Authors Group (Union League Club) Welcomes Mr. Mark Shriver President, Save The Children Action Network Author, PILGRIMAGE - My Search for the Real Pope Francis Who Will Address the Topic "My Search for the Real Pope Francis" Pope Francis very quickly has become one o…

Cardinal Cupich will offer some thoughts on how believers can respond in a time marked by moral whiplash and acrimonious public discourse. The present moment seems to demand that we Christians choose between seemingly competing issues from protecting the unborn to caring for the marginalized, from defending religious freedom to preserving the envir…

On Friday, February 3, 2017 At Noon at the Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Dr. Jo Ann Rooney 24th President, Loyola University Chicago Who will address the issue: "IS THERE A CHANGING CATHOLIC IDENTITY IN CATHOLIC UNIVERSITIES TODAY?" Contemporary America is experiencing two amazing phenomena: cultural/religious/social d…

Jeanne Bishop, Attorney, Author, Social Justice Leader On Friday, January 6, 2017, at Noon At the Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Attorney and Author Jeanne Bishop Who will address the topic “Forgiveness: The impossible virtue” Many people in Chicago remember the horrible events of an unspeakable crime that took place in…

On Friday, December 2, 2016 At Noon At the Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Father William Moriarity Associate Pastor, Holy Name Cathedral Chaplain Extraordinaire, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Who will address the topic "Living the Festival of Light Yes. Light is Stronger Than Dark" December is the month that plunges th…

On Friday, November 4, 2016 at Noon at The Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Ms. Carol Marin and Ms. Mary Ann Ahern NBC 5 Chicago Addressing the topic "The Finish Line Is in Sight!" It has been neither a sprint nor a marathon. It has been an Ultra-Marathon that only the strongest athletes can endure. However, this "Ultra" …

On Friday, May 6, 2016 At Noon In the Main Lounge of The Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes President Toni Preckwinkle President, The Cook County Board Who will address the topic; “Can We Afford to Care For Those Who Most Need Government?” “We have no money” seems to be a mantra from all levels of government, city, county, …

On Friday, October 7, 2016, At Noon at The Union League Club The First Friday Club of Chicago Welcomes Superintendent Eddie Johnson, Chicago Police Department Who will address the issue "Is There Any Light at the end of the Tunnel?" During the years of the Vietnam Conflict the Defense Department released, on a weekly basis, the number of U.S. milit…

The first Friday Club welcomes Fr. Michael Pfleger as our February 2016 speaker “A City in Turmoil - News to Some – Just Another Day to Others” Fr. Michael Pfleger became pastor of St Sabina Catholic Community at the age of 31. He has spent over 1/2 of his life pastoring that community. He has transformed St. Sabina into one of the largest African-…

The First Friday Club of Chicago welcomes the Reverend Shannon Kershner, pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, as our March speaker. "Resurrection Moments In A Time Of Lent" When the Christian Church calls us again this Lent to participate in a 40 period of prayer, fasting and generosity, it seems that fewer people are listening to that call. Churc…

First Friday Club of Chicago presents our January 2016 speaker, David Anderson: “When A Real Good Idea Becomes a Real Big Problem - Student Loans” What a great idea – make money available for more young people to attend college, earn their degree, enter the work force, earn a living and begin making their mark in the business community and the enti…