FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Akilah Wilson 

Phone: 847-492-0990 ext. 1011 

Email: wilson@evanstonforever.org 

EVANSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE EIGHT EFFECT PARTNER ON FOUNDATION’S BOARD LEADERSHIP TRAINING 

PROGRAM GRADUATES 18 NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS READY TO SERVE ON LOCAL BOARDS 

EVANSTON, IL, April 18, 2025- On Thursday, April 17, 2025, the Evanston Community Foundation and the Eight Effect co-hosted the foundation’s first Board Leadership Training graduation. The graduation was held at The Aux and featured a special networking session for graduates to connect with local board representatives.  

Cohort participants were guided through the Eight Effect’s ‘Board Bootcamp’ curriculum over the course of six weeks and had the opportunity to connect with local board representatives upon completion of the program.

This partnership was made possible through the foundation’s newest initiative, the Ubuntu Leadership Institute, where they remain committed to expanding leadership for all. We’re excited to continue building on our legacy of Leadership Evanston to provide more leadership development opportunities to our community.  

“Last night was a testament to the power of partnership and the foundation’s commitment to leveraging an equity centered approach to our work,” said Akilah Wilson, Sr. Communications Manager at the Evanston Community Foundation. “We are especially proud of this partnership with the Eight Effect’s Board Bootcamp because there was not only a clear alignment with our strategic goals to elevate voices and empower leaders but, an opportunity to live into our 'forever promises' to empower leaders and invest in Evanston.” 

Click here to learn more about the Ubuntu Leadership Institute initiative.

Click here to meet the graduates of Board Leadership Training- ‘Board Bootcamp’.

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About the Evanston Community Foundation: 

Founded in 1986, the Evanston Community Foundation’s mission is to mobilize community resources to drive systemic social change and build a thriving and resilient Evanston. The Foundation achieves this by:  

• Investing in the community with a sustainable and long-term perspective. 
• Empowering leaders to foster innovation and collaboration. 
• Prioritizing community voice and choice. 

About the Ubuntu Leadership Institute (ULI): 

Launched in 2024, the Ubuntu Leadership Institute (ULI) is an ECF initiative designed to expand local leadership development opportunities for Evanstonians. 

Rooted in the legacy of the Foundation’s flagship leadership development program- Leadership Evanston- ULI serves as a local hub for accessible leadership development programming. 

About The Eight Effect: 

 
The Eight Effect is a woman- and Black-owned consultancy and facilitation collective rooted in asset-based community development. Through its flagship program Board Bootcamp, The Eight Effect empowers individuals to lead authentically and impactfully—transforming the face of civic and nonprofit leadership in Evanston and beyond.