The 26th UCAN Leadership Awards

UCAN’s flagship fundraiser, the UCAN Leadership Awards, formerly known as the Youth Leadership Awards, is an inspiring annual event held every June. This special evening celebrates the academic and personal achievements of UCAN’s outstanding youth. Each year, we proudly recognize seven exceptional young people and award them scholarships to support their pursuit of higher education.

This year, we are expanding the event’s scope to highlight the breadth of UCAN’s programs and services, showcasing the full impact of our work with young people and families. UCAN will proudly present Bon French with the eleventh annual John D. Nichols Impact Award, recognizing his meaningful contributions to Chicago's youth and families. Additionally, we are honored to present the Corporate Engagement Award to  a company that has demonstrated exceptional philanthropic commitment to UCAN and the young people of Chicago.

As UCAN celebrates 156 years of service, we are proud to commemorate 26 years of this signature event. Each year, UCAN continues to grow, impacting countless lives and empowering young leaders to excel. Seeing the lasting success of these remarkable individuals is a testament to the strength of our mission and the generosity of our supporters.

We invite you to join us for an unforgettable evening:

📅 Thursday, June 26, 2025

📍 Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago

🏢 221 N Columbus Drive

Reception: 5:30 p.m.

Dress Code: Cocktail Attire with a splash of green!

The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel is conveniently located near iconic Chicago landmarks, including the John Hancock Center, Water Tower, Loyola University, Northwestern University, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Its prime location offers guests easy access to the city's vibrant cultural scene, renowned dining, and scenic lakefront attractions.

🚗 Parking: Secure and convenient parking is available in a covered garage with self- and valet parking. You can also find, book, and save on nearby parking through SpotHero.

For more information or questions, contact Fred Long, Vice President of Development, at Fredrick.Long@ucanchicago.org.

Samantha Chatman is an Emmy Award winning journalist and Weekend Morning Anchor for ABC 7 Chicago. She is also an Investigative Reporter and a member of ABC 7's prestigious I-Team.

Samantha, who grew up in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood on the South Side, joined Chicago's #1 news station in September 2019. She feels honored to work at the station she grew up watching. 

Samantha has won Emmy awards for her work in Chicago and Dallas, TX. Before moving to Dallas/Fort Worth, she was the Business Reporter at WDRB-TV in Louisville, Kentucky. She started her career at WEEK/WHOI-TV in Peoria, Illinois, where she worked as a Multimedia Journalist, Fill-in Anchor and Weather Anchor.

In 2022, Samantha published her first children's book, "Mia Gets Sick, But Doesn't Quit," a story that was developed during the pandemic to help inspire and remind kids to never give up. 

She attended Kenwood Academy's Academic Center for middle school, Lincoln Park High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a minor in African-American studies.

Samantha is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the National Association of Black Journalists and the Chicago Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

She also serves as an Associate Board member for After School Matters.