The Leadership Team
Who We Are
Joe Hall
Executive Director
Joe Hall is a Chicago-based entrepreneur, educator, and DJ whose career spans education, entertainment, telecommunications, and community development.
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A graduate of Southern Illinois University with degrees in Avionics and Aviation Management, he built a successful career as a professional DJ, rising to the top 2% worldwide aboard cruise lines including the Carnival Vista.
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He founded Legion of Tunes, the nation’s first USDL-approved DJ Apprenticeship program, and currently serves as DJ Program Director for Youth Guidance at Aldridge Elementary and Carver Middle School.
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As a certified solar energy instructor with NCCER credentials, Joe trains participants in energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.
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In telecommunications, he founded JBlendz Communications, specializing in fiber and satellite broadband installations.
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As Executive Director of JBlendz Enterprises NFP, a Chicago 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Joe leads the Pope Leo XIV Legacy Campaign to restore the historic St. Mary of the Assumption campus in Riverdale.
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Through the Empower Skills Workforce Development program, he provides training and certifications in fiber optics, solar energy, and roadway safety.
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Joe is committed to creating transformative opportunities and revitalizing Chicago’s South Side through innovation, education, and community empowerment
Dr. Barbara Hall
Board Chair
Dr. Barbara A. Hall is a native Chicagoan and longtime Chicago Public Schools educator with over four decades of service.
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A graduate of Chicago State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Loyola University, and a Deer Creek Fellow of Harvard University, she became the first female Principal of Dunbar Vocational High School.
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Her distinguished career includes roles as teacher, administrator, and counselor, with curriculum published by Chicago Public Schools and Harvard University.
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She has led grant-funded initiatives in gifted dance, theater arts, holistic health, mentoring, and vocational education, earning numerous awards including Teacher of the Year and the Chicago Public Schools 42-Year Service Award.
Dr. Hall has built strong community partnerships and volunteered extensively with organizations such as the Chicago Urban League, DuSable Museum, Chicago Park District, and homeless shelters.
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Since retiring in 2010, she completed the Illinois Superintendent Academy and serves as a School Liaison for Harvard University and Consultant with the Executive Service Corps of Chicago.
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She is a dedicated mentor to students and at-risk youth, helping many enroll in college and find stable housing.
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Dr. Barbara A. Hall, proud mother of Joe Hall Jr. and affectionately known as “A Champion for Children,” continues to champion education and community empowerment.
