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Fellows » Distinguished Fellows Award

LGC established the Distinguished Fellow Award to honor a Fellow who has made a significant leadership contribution to the community. For the first four years, the Chicago Community Trust provided a $25,000 award that the Distinguished Fellow could designate to the organization of his or her choice. Today, the Distinguished Fellow has the opportunity to name an organization of his/her choice as LGC’s Annual Holiday Party Beneficiary. Donations made at this annual event typically range from $4,000 to $7,000. LGC alumni are eligible to nominate their peers for the award, which is awarded at the annual dinner.

Tim King, 1998

Tim King is Founder, President and CEO of Urban Prep Academies, a nonprofit organization operating a network of public college-prep boys’ schools in Chicago. Urban Prep, the nation’s first all-male charter high school, is designed to serve African American youth in some of Chicago’s most underserved communities. Committed to promoting college success for African American youth, Urban Prep has succeeded in making college a reality for students from neighborhoods where higher education is rarely seen as an option. Indeed, for two years in a row, 100% of Urban Prep seniors have been admitted to four-year colleges or universities. Under Mr. King’s visionary leadership, Urban Prep serves as a national model for transforming the education of underserved African American men.

Mr. King has received numerous awards and recognitions for his groundbreaking work. But his proudest role has been as guardian for an orphaned former student. That young man, previously homeless, has now graduated from college, under Mr. King’s guidance and care. Mr. King is an outstanding example of a Fellow who is making a significant impact on the community. We are proud to honor Mr. King with the 2011 Distinguished Fellow Award.