Join us for the African American Alumni Committee 2026 Symposium, We Got Us: Our Health, Our Rights, Our Future, for a day of learning, reflection, and connection focused on the forces shaping health and wellbeing in historically marginalized and under-resourced communities.
You'll hear from an inspiring keynote speaker and engage in interactive breakout sessions alongside fellow alumni, students, faculty, and community leaders. Together, we'll highlight community-rooted innovations, collective resilience, and pathways toward more just and responsive systems.
Keynote Speaker
Olusimbo (Simbo) Ige, M.D., MPH, Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health
Dr. Olusimbo (Simbo) Ige is the Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health. With nearly two decades of experience
in public health, she has led initiatives at the local and national levels focused on health equity, systems change, and community well-being. Prior to her role in Chicago, Dr. Ige served as Managing Director of Programs at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and
as Assistant Commissioner for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she oversaw pandemic response, mental
health, food security, and public health workforce programs.
Dr. Ige holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and a Master’s in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Ibadan in
Nigeria, as well as a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Manchester in the UK.
This is event is open to all backgrounds and attendance is open to all.
If you have any questions about access or to request a reasonable accommodation that will facilitate your full participation in this event such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, Braille or electronic text, food options for individuals with dietary restrictions, etc. please contact the event organizer.