Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI) recently celebrated its 5th Annual Race & Health Equity Awards, recognizing seven education leaders for their contributions to advancing equity and opportunity in Chicago and beyond. The event, attended by more than 300 guests at the Garfield Park Conservatory, highlighted the organization's focus on the intersection of race, health, and education.
HSI President and CEO Donald J. Dew emphasized the interconnected nature of these issues during the ceremony. "We must recognize the relationship between race, health equity and education," Dew stated. "When communities of color face barriers to quality education, those inequities ripple into health outcomes, economic stability, and overall well-being."
The 2025 honorees included prominent figures from Chicago's educational landscape: Paul J. Adams, III of Providence St. Mel School; Bernard Clay of Introspect Youth Services, Inc.; Creasie Finney Hairston, Ph.D. from the University of Illinois Chicago; Haki Madhubuti, founder of Third World Press; Carol D. Lee from Northwestern University; Lisa W. Rollins of the United Negro College Fund; and David Sanders of Malcolm X College. These individuals were recognized for their long-standing commitment to educational excellence, with some having served their communities for more than 50 years.
The event also featured special remarks from Chairman Lester Barclay, Esq., Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chicago. A portion of the proceeds from the awards ceremony supports Jamaican hurricane relief efforts in addition to student stipends and HSI's community health initiatives.
Beyond the local recognition, Dew has launched a national movement called Historically Black Community Based Organizations (HBCBOs), which aims to increase support and recognition for organizations that bridge gaps in the social safety net. The movement represents a strategic effort to unite organizations through shared strategies and resources to strengthen local communities. More information about this initiative can be found at https://www.historicallyblackcbo.org/.
Dew's leadership extends to the international stage, where he serves as the first African-American Chair of the Board of Directors of the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), an international accrediting agency. Elected in 2022 and subsequently re-elected, Dew continues in this role after helping HSI become one of the first African-American led organizations to achieve international CARF accreditation in 1991.
HSI, a behavioral health and human services organization serving 17 Chicago communities, maintains its accreditation annually and provides comprehensive services including mental health support, disability services, affordable housing, and healthcare transformation. The organization's work focuses on strengthening lives and communities across Chicago's West and South Sides.
