Charnesha Collier
Executive Director
A lifelong resident of West Humboldt Park, Charnesha Collier currently serves as Executive Director of R CITY. After graduating from local Chicago Public Schools (Casals School of Excellence and Prosser Career Academy), Collier went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Education from Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois and was an early participant in R CITY’s Successbuilders scholarship program. A graduate of the Harambee Youth Tuckpointing Apprenticeships, Collier served in each staff role within the tuckpointing program, gaining increasing responsibilities each year as her experience increased; she also simultaneously served on staff at Cameron Magnet School for the Arts. In 2022, Collier was named R CITY’s Director of Apprenticeships and served in this role until her 2024 acceptance of the role of Executive Director.
What do you love about R CITY?
I love all the youth that I get to connect and build relationships with. I love working alongside the youth and seeing them grow over time. I also love laughing, joking, and spending time with the youth.
What is something/someone that helped you move along the path from cradle to career?
Harambee and my faith in Christ has helped me move along from cradle to career by keeping me motivated and providing me with responsibilities that gave me a sense of direction for my path.