Mission
It is the mission of State of Emerge-A-City (SOE) to restore value & quality of life to underrepresented youth by empowering our participants to become advocates of positive social change and emerge as leaders within their community.
Vision
State of Emerge-A-City, NFP believes that every young person, everywhere, deserves to live a life full of opportunities, happiness, peace, and well-being. SOE desires to reverse the acceptance of violence by challenging perceptions and hopelessness.
Purpose
State of Emerge-A-City (SOE) works to decrease violence by elevating one's mindset through exposure to a better way of living. SOE's purpose is to inspire social change, promote philanthropy and broaden the horizons of marginalized youth, to realize their full potential. We are committed to facilitating an environment for personal growth, with the primary transformation being the mentality shift from victim to victor.

What We Do
State of Emerge-A-City (SOE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that declares a need for immediate support for diminished communities suffering from human-made disasters and civil unrest; similar to a
"State of Emergency."
SOE promotes the belief that if everyone makes one small contribution towards this mission, we will see significant transformations, positive impacts, and a decrease in violence. Our programs enlighten our participants and the community on our core values of unity, conflict resolution, self-empowerment, leadership, philanthropy, social change, spiritual growth, and positive over negative dispositions, among other vital life skills. SOE is committed to empowering youth through exposure to a better way of living and constructive behavior.
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This organization is designed to get our youth excited about life and their future. Every program has educational value and life skills to empower our youth using a leadership development and social consciousness curriculum. We support the supreme goal of decreasing violence and creating social advancement that offers an equitable opportunity for underrepresented communities to achieve their highest aspirations and dreams!
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Board of Directors

MaCassa Johnson Founded State of Emerge-A-City (SOE) in 2016. She holds a degree in Sociology and has worked in the social service sector for over a decade. MaCassa has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Chicago State University and obtaining a Masters in Community & Economic Development from Penn State University.

Bernadette Johnson-Banks has over 25 years of experience working for Cook County school districts as an Administrator. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Bernadette brings her work experience with disciplinary and behavioral issues of adolescents in the educational system, along with her personal experience, to the Organization’s efforts.

Board Member

Philip Egler graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts & Science in Psychology. He is a father, a mentor and passionate about bringing progressive change by aiding youth. Philip is also a musician, songwriter, producer & musical engineer.
MaCassa Johnson
Founder President
Bernadette Banks
Treasurer
Geraldine Winfrey
Board Member
Philip Egler
Board Member
2023 Board Meeting Schedule
Saturday, March 18th 10:00am - 12:00pm
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Saturday, June 17th 10:00am - 12:00pm
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Saturday, September 16th 10:00am - 12:00pm
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Saturday, December 2nd 10:00am - 12:00pm
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Board meetings are open to public unless indicated as 'CLOSED'
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Meetings are held quarterly on the third Saturday at the LaGrange Library:
10 W. Cossitt Ave, La Grange, IL ​
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*Meeting Schedule subject to change
EVENTS
2023 Calendar of Events
June
EAL Summer Camp
July
Emerge-A-Leader Workshops(14-19yrs old)
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August
"A Wave of Change"
Pool Party Fundraiser
October
TBA
November
Giving Tuesday
December
TBA




















Community Partners:













