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* Windy City Times in June…
Brian Johnson, who has led Equality Illinois since 2016, stepped down June 30 as CEO of the statewide LGBTQ+-rights organization, marking the end of a nine-year tenure defined by coalition-building, statewide outreach and a focus on intersectional advocacy.
Under Johnson’s leadership, Equality Illinois transitioned from an organization laser-focused on marriage equality to one advocating for LGBTQ+ equality on many fronts. […]
Now, longtime LGBTQ+ advocate Channyn Lynne Parker is stepping in as interim CEO, bringing years of experience in direct service, public policy and movement leadership to the role. Parker will continue serving as CEO of Brave Space Alliance, a Black- and trans-led organization on the South Side, while seeing Equality Illinois through its transition.
* Equality Illinois announced today that Channyn Lynne Parker will permanently lead the organization. Press release…
Equality Illinois, the state’s leading LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced today that Channyn Lynne Parker has been named the organization’s next Chief Executive Officer following an extensive national search. A nationally recognized human rights advocate, movement builder, and executive leader, Parker brings more than two decades of experience advancing LGBTQ+ justice, racial equity, and community-based solutions across Illinois.
Parker currently serves as CEO of Brave Space Alliance (BSA), where she led a powerful organizational turnaround—restoring stability, rebuilding trust, and launching new services including behavioral health programming, transitional housing, and onsite access to third-party healthcare service. Her commitment to health equity and community-centered policy leadership is rooted in her earliest professional work at The University of Chicago, where she worked directly with youth living with HIV. That experience deepened her understanding of the intersection between lived experience, public health, and systemic policy change — an approach that continues to inform her leadership today.
Following her tenure at The University of Chicago, Parker went on to serve in nearly a decade of community leadership roles at Howard Brown Health, Broadway Youth Center, and Chicago House, where she advanced youth housing, healthcare access, and reentry services for LGBTQ+ communities. She is a longtime board member of Equality Illinois and currently serves on several statewide commissions, including those focused on poverty elimination, addressing hate crimes, and protecting reproductive rights. She was previously honored with Equality Illinois’ Humanitarian Freedom Award for her advocacy.
“Equality Illinois has long been a beacon for justice, and I am honored to step into this role at such a critical time for our communities,” said incoming CEO, Channyn Lynne Parker. “This is more than a professional transition for me—it’s deeply personal. I’m committed to leading with courage, compassion, and collaboration as we build a future where every LGBTQ+ person in Illinois is seen, valued, and protected.”
Her selection follows a thorough and competitive process led by McCormack + Kristel Executive Search Consultants. All candidates were evaluated equitably through the same fair and transparent process, and Parker emerged as the clear choice based on her experience, leadership, deep ties to Illinois’ most impacted communities, and vision for the future of LGBTQ+ advocacy in Illinois.
“Channyn is a visionary leader whose career has been dedicated to building power and advancing LGBTQ+ people and communities in our state,” said Equality Illinois Board Chair Justin DeJong and Equality Illinois Institute Board Chair Kelly Emery. “Her depth of experience, her authentic connection to the work, and her ability to lead through our current political environment made her the clear choice to guide Equality Illinois into its next chapter.”
Parker is the first Black transgender woman to lead Equality Illinois in its 34-year history. Her appointment comes at a pivotal time for LGBTQ+ rights in Illinois and across the country. As a transformational leader with an unwavering commitment to equity and justice, she is uniquely prepared to guide the organization forward and expand its reach, impact, and visibility in the years to come. Parker will begin her role as full time CEO on November 17, 2025.
* Brave Space Alliance…
The Board at Brave Space Alliance looks forward to supporting Channyn as she enters this next chapter as CEO of Equality Illinois. BSA has deeply benefited from Channyn’s leadership and vision, especially as she guided the organization through a critical period of rebuilding, solidifying our foundation for long-term strength and impact. As the first Black trans woman to lead Equality Illinois, Brave Space Alliance is proud to have been a part of her professional journey and looks forward to continued collaboration between our organizations in advancing justice for our communities.
The Board will soon launch a search for a new President and CEO to search for a leader who will continue to guide Brave Space Alliance in its mission to uplift, empower, and provide life-affirming resources for Black, trans, and LGBTQ+ communities across Chicago’s South Side.
posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Aug 21, 25 @ 10:01 am
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