The Chicago Center Board of Directors announces the appointments of two new members. Tiff Beatty, J’07, and Kevin Hough, FA’99, joined the Chicago Center Board of Directors in May 2021.
“I am excited to join the Chicago Center leadership because I believe in the mission, the pedagogy, and the people! Along with other alumni and former staff on the board, I bring a perspective that is valued and appreciated,” said Beatty. “Additionally, I am excited to share some of my knowledge and experience as a cultural worker and programmer.”
Currently serving as Program Director of Arts, Culture, and Public Policy at the National Public Housing Museum, Beatty oversees the Museum’s public programs and events, including the Oral History Project and Entrepreneurship Hub. In 2020, she co-created Just Action Racial Equity Collaborative as a Chicago United for Equity Senior Fellow. She is an arts and culture organizer and spoken word poet who writes, performs, organizes, and hosts Chicago’s only bonfire cypher, Art Is Bonfire. Her social justice and activism programs and poetry are featured in Ebony Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. Beatty was a 2019 Fellow with Chicago United for Equity and received the additional distinction of the 2019 Field Leader Award from the Field Foundation of Illinois. She previously served as Director of Programming at the Chicago Humanities Festival.
“Emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, I’m thrilled to welcome these two distinguished alumni to the Chicago Center’s Board of Directors,” said Chicago Center Executive Director Tyler Hough. “And am eager to work with them to strengthen our alumni program and deepen the Center’s commitment to developing global citizens.”
"In these times, the Center's mission and programs, which draws students from this country's heartland, are essential to building an actively anti-racist community and society. Being in the position to support the Center is both an honor and demonstrative commitment to these values," said Kevin.
Kevin Hough is an educator and a labor rights advocate with over twenty years of experience in Chicago's public and charter schools. Following his time as a student at the Chicago Center, he taught social studies, history, civics, service-learning, and debate for Crystal Lake's Community High School District #155, and Lincoln Park High School and Roberto Clemente Community Academy of Chicago Public Schools. During his summers, Hough taught social issues and civic engagement courses through Northwestern University and Johns Hopkins University Center for Talent Development, in Chicago and Baltimore, respectively. In 2012, he transitioned out of the classroom and into the role of field representative for the Chicago Teachers Union, where he provides member representation and contract enforcement services to over fifty CPS schools. In 2016, Hough was assigned as the lead contract negotiator for the Union for ASPIRA and YCLA charter schools. Kevin has a BA in history/political science and secondary education from Illinois College in Jacksonville, IL, a MS in public service from DePaul University. Hough is also a certified mediator through Northwestern University's School of Professional Studies.
“As a former member of staff and Center alumna, Tiff brings a unique perspective to the Board, combined with Kevin’s decades of work advocating on behalf of urban education, I look forward to the impact they’ll make on the Chicago Center,” said Chicago Center Board Chair Zach Lowe.