We are absolutely excited to announce that our amazing Founder and CEO, Barbara Ellzey, who leads the Reach Leadership Program for Girls and the SheFlys Aviation Program for Girls, has been awarded the esteemed U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award! This prestigious honor recognizes her extraordinary leadership and relentless dedication to volunteer service. What a fantastic accomplishment!

Event History

The Reach Leadership Foundation was established in 2009. Since that time, we've had the honor of providing amazing experiences to last a lifetime! See our past events below to see how we've developed into one of Chicago's leading organizations.

Tyonne Crump & Amon Jackson, CFI Pilot

A special congratulations from the Reach Leadership Foundation family goes out to Max Thrash on his Student Pilot Certification from SIUC! ------ Happy Flying! ------

2024

Women in Stem - November 21

Girls International Aviation Day - September 21

The Bridgerton Experience Fundraiser - July 27

Reach Leadership Program for Girls Summer Program - June 8 - July 20

New Life Covenant Southeast Church Community Aviation Expo - June 28

Chicago Military Academy-Bronzeville Aviation Day - April 26

Excel Academy of Englewood Aviation Day - March 15

Sisters of the Sky, Charlotte, North, Carolina - February 3

2023

Morgan Park High School Aviation Day - December 8

Girls Aviation International Day - September 23

PepsiCo Tour and Luncheon - July 21

Northwest Indiana Lighthouse Charter School Aviation Day (April 28)

Indiana Lighthouse Charter School - 4/28/23

She Flys Aviation Program Event - Chicago (March)

Sisters of the Sky - Houston, Texas (February)

2021

Commissioner Bill Lowry District 3 Peggy A. Montes Unsung Heroine Award 2021
Women of Influence and Inspiration Award 2021
- Founder/CEO Barbra A Ellzey
Community Easter Project for Seniors
Red Clay Dance Company Vision and Voices Performance
Homeless Father’s Day Lunch
Pearls for Girls Academic Achievement Celebration
Ravinia Chicago Festival
7th Annual Jesse White College Trunk Giveaway
Reach Off to College Trunk Party raised $500.00
Christmas Toy Giveaway

2020

Reach Off to College Trunk Party raised $1500.00

2019

UChicago Medicine Career Exploration

Saturday February 16, 2019

5700 South Maryland

Chicago, IL 60637

12:00noon to 3:00pm

The Happiness Club Workshop

Saturday March 9, 2019

14700 Evers Street

Dolton, IL 60419

11:00am to 1:00pm

Confidence is Key – Workshop

Guest Presenter ~ Tiffany Renee-Warren

Saturday March 16, 2019

14700 Evers Street Dolton, IL 60419

Reach Presents - Chicago Amazing Women Awards

Ten women were nominated and chosen for this prestigious award by Reach Founder and Executive Director for their excellent good works, the service they provided to their communities and a reflection of their inner beauty and leadership.

Saturday May 11, 2019 5531 South Russell Drive Chicago, IL 60637

Reach Off to College Trunk Party raised $3000.00

2018

January 6, 2018

Vision Board Workshop

Saturday 10:00am

Rhema Revealed Worship Center

8151 South Racine

Chicago, IL 60620

March 27, 2018

PepsiCo Women’s History Month

Tuesday 1:00pm to 4:00pm

555 West Monroe

Chicago, IL 60661

CHI Teen Lit Fest 2018 - Harold Washington Library Center

The ChiTeen Lit Fest (CTLF) is a for teens by teens event that provides a safe and creative space for young adults to unlock and discover their unique voices through the literary arts. CTLF brings together young people from across Chicago to celebrate their talents as they express themselves through exceptional and honest art.

April 13-14, 2018

April 13 Kickoff Party - Friday6pm – 10pm

April 14

Saturday: 10am – 6pm

Columbia College Chicago

623 South Wabash

Chicago, IL 60605

Workshop: Saturday April 28, 2018

10:00am to 12:30pm

Topic: Confidence is the Key

Guest Speaker Tiffany Renee Warren

Metropolitan Apostolic Church

4100 South King Drive

Chicago, IL. 60653

May 20, 2018

Bridge 2 Freedom – Gladd Hatters Tea Party – Partner Organization

Jacob’s Well Community Church

3450 West Maple Street, Evergreen Park, IL 60805

Confidence “Made Me Do It” Program! Chicago Sky Cares Foundation

Time 10:00am to 12:00pm

Location: Young Women’s Leadership Charter Schools, Chicago, IL 60616

May 5, 2018

“Presenting Yourself, The Whole You”

June 9, 2018

“Fueling Yourself”

September 2018

“Always Flawless”

October 2018

“Paying It Forward, What Confidence Will Make You Do”

November 10, 2018

Open House – Vision Board Workshop

Time 11:00am to 3:00pm

Dolton Park District Main Field House

14700 Evers Street, Dolton, Il 60419

December 22, 2018

Daytime Pajama Party- Dolton Park District Main Field House

Time 10:00am to 3:00pm

Vision Board Workshop

PepsiCo Women's History Month Workshop

PepsiCo Womens History Month Workshop 2018.JPG

2017

January 2017

January to December: WNBA Mentor Chicago Sky Program
Skating Outing: The Chicago TakeBack Jam (1/14/17)
Hidden Figures Film Outing Chatham 14 (1/24/207)

February 2017

Field Museum Outing (Free) Saturday (2/11/2017) 1pm to 5pm

Where: 1400 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

The Wendell Phillips Story Documentary (2/15/2017) 7:30pm – 9:00pm

Where Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 South Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL

“Dream Girl “ Documentary Screening (2/16/17) 6pm to 8pm
- Dream, Girl tells the stories of amazing female entrepreneurs to inspire the next generation of leaders.

March 2017

Scholarship Workshop – “Show Me The Money, Financing your College Education”
- Guest Speaker Michele L. Howard, Scholarship Manager Chicago Public Schools (3/11/17)

Where: Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell, Chicago, IL

Career Day – “The Road to Success, Career Choices are Life Choices…. Do It Right”
- Guest Speakers (Chris Broderick, Founder and President B.near Global Inc. and Erin Miller, Flagship Assistant Manager AT&T Mobility 10:30pm – 12:30pm (3/25/17)

Where: Chicago Bee Library, 3647 South State Street, Free Parking

Reach Event at PepsiCo – Celebrating Women’s History Month PepsiCo Leadership Team
- PepsiCo Speaker – STEM, her career journey
- Reach Mentees , paired with PepsiCo Volunteers create a PepsiCo Product to Market
- Reach Mentees present their finished products to group

April 2017

Black Women’s Expo – Teen Summit (4/7/2017) 11:00am – 4:00pm

Where: McCormick Place 2301 South King Drive, Chicago, IL

Reach Clean & Green Day of Service (4/22/2017) 10:00am – 12:00pm

Where: Chicago, IL

Open House Anniversary Celebration (8 years) – (4/30/2017) 12:30noon – 3:30pm

Where: Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 South Cornell Avenue, Chicago, IL

May 2017

Learning Math is Easy Workshop (May 2017) Time: TBD
- Workshop Presenter Clezeal Collains, Math Teacher Morgan Park High School

Where: Chicago, IL

Healthy Eating, Nutrition Workshop (May 2017) Time: TBD
- Workshop Presenter Nutritionist, Jaren, Chicago, IL

June 2017

Pearls for Girls Academic Achievement Celebration (June, 2017)
- Guest Speaker Merry Green, President MGPG Events !NC.

Where: House of Goshen Conference and Banquet Center 8151 South Racine, Chicago, IL

Etiquette Workshop - (June, 2017)
Law Enforcement Workshop with CAPS Officer Denise Gathings (June, 2017) Chicago, IL

Workshop Presenters Chicago Police Department Staff - Chicago Police Department Auditorium

Topics include, Sex Trafficking (Prevention), Qualifications for becoming an Police Officer, Detective, or Specialty Police Officer
Tour of Police Station

July 2017

Road to Success College Tour University Of Wisconsin-Platteville (7/20/2017) 11:00am – 2:00pm

Bus Departs: 6:00am 2600 South King Drive, Chicago, IL
Bus Arrives: 11:00am University Of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI
College Tour, lunch, informational session(GPA Activity)
Bus Departs for Chicago: 2:00pm

REACH@Ravinia The JOYOUS String Ensemble in Concert! (July 29, 2017) Time: 11:00am
- Bus Departs: 2600 South King Drive, 9:00am
- Bus Arrives Ravinia Festival 10:45am
- Bring your lunch and enjoy this dynamic group in Concert, Martin Theatre

Where: Ravinia Festival 418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035

August 2017

Back to School Summerfest; School Supply Giveaway (8/12/2017)

Food, Fun, Giveaways, Chicago, IL

Miss Voluptuous USA Pageant – Mentee Volunteers (8/20/2017) Time 3:00pm – 7:00pm

Where: Historical DuSable Museum 740, East 56th Place Chicago, IL

September 2017

365 Girls Pajama Conference

October 2017

FaithWorks Youth Conference

November 2017

Community Service

December 2017

Christmas Celebration Sleepover

Pearls for Girls - Academic Achievement Celebration

2016

1/16 Vision Board Brunch WomAnew Women’s Ministry
2/16 UIC Flames Basketball Outing
3/16 Dreamboard Workshop, Reavis Math and Science Academy
4/16 Pampered Princesses Celebration, Grand Ballroom, Chicago

Bridge2Freedom Annual Tea Party Fundraiser

5/16 Pearls for Girls Academic Achievement Luncheon
6/16 WNBA Chicago Sky Basketball Outing

The Denise House Story Stage Play

7/16 WNBA Chicago Sky RedefinePossible Women’s Leadership Award

REACH@Ravinia

Workshop

University of IOWA College Tour

8/16 Miss Voluptuous Diva Scholarship Pageant – Mentee Volunteer
Back to School Beach Party
9/16 365 Girl Pajama Conference
11/16 Community Service
12/16 Annual Christmas Celebration

Pearls for Girls - Academic Celebration

Pearls for Girls Academic Achievement Celebration 2016.JPG

Feed A Teen Event

2015

UIC Flames Women’s Basketball Outing
Financial Literacy (Saving for Your Future) I am The Boss
Etiquette/Manners (I am A Young Lady)
Job and Career (My Journey) Dress for Success
Toastmasters (Speak and Say Workshop) Public Speaking
College Preparation (University 101)
Health and Wellness (Personal Hygiene)
Theatre (Lyric Opera)
3rd Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance
Back To School Giveaway/Takeaway (Give school supplies/receive school supply)
Chicago Sky Basketball Outing (Ball Delivery by Mentee)
Mother’s Day Gift Exchange
REACH at RAVINIA
Easter (Arts and Crafts) Community Service
Christmas Celebration

2014

Health and Fitness Workshop Guest Presenter:

Ms. Black Illinois 2013 Ms. Cortnee R. Smith

Live Taping Featured on “Inspiring You” Segment WCIU TV

6th Annual Girl Power Luncheon (Mentees Attended)

Chicago Sky WNBA Basketball Game (Memorial Day) Allstate Arena

REACH at the Beach (Back to School Beach Party)

REACH at Ravinia Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra (Highland Park, IL)

2nd Annual Daddy/Daughter Dance (Washington Park Refectory)

2013

Guests on The Clarice Mason Show
Sponsored the first Community Annual Daddy/Daughter dance with over 70 girls and their dads in attendance.
Participated in the Ms. Chicago Sweetheart Pageant where one of our own (Ms. Haven Evans) was crowned Ms. Chicago Duchess.
Featured on V103 The Doug Banks Show Saluting Real Women Segment our Founder/CEO Barbara Ellzey honored for the awesome work she is doing with REACH
Project Motivation Inspire, Encourage, Uplift Workshop
Participants in WVON Kids Bank Savings Account Day 25 girls opened savings accounts with various financial institutions
Martin Luther King Project: The Fight for Civil Rights Play “The House Theatre”
Be Beautiful Empowerment Luncheon Fundraiser
Honored all fathers 1st Annual Father’s Day Luncheon
Chicago Sky Basketball outing, REACH Mentee Laniah Ward delivered the game ball before the start of the game Sky won!
The Happiness Club After School Matters Hip Hop Dance Workshop
Participated in Miss Black Illinois USA 2014 Next Generation Princess Program

2012

Featured in The Hyde Park Herald and Chicago Defender Newspapers
2012 State Farm Grant Recipient: Teen Drive Safety
Founder and CEO Barbara A Ellzey, Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence 2012, Chicago Foundation for Women 2013 Impact Awards Nominee
Hosted Citywide Chicago Black Girls ROCK Expo over 250 girls in attendance, 14 vendors
Gathering of Women: REACH Annual Tea Party Fundraiser
Group Outings: Night at the Symphony Orchestra Hall, WVON Radio Studio Tour, Lil” S.I.S. Expo Chicago 2012, On the Frontline Taking Back Our Streets Documentary, Chicago Sky Basketball Outing, autographs from Sky Basketball Team, Winter Wonder Fest Navy Pier Outing

REACH Open House
Collaboration with William Carter Elementary School, host bi-monthly workshops

Workshops held: Learn to Crochet, Resume Writing, Dream Board Creation, DePaul University Women in Technology, Arts and Crafts Community Out Reach

Hosted Lunch with a Leader with twelve professional women from various industries dined with over 30 girls sharing professional experiences
REACH Leadership Program for Girls in conjunction with Restoration House Chicago 1st Annual Walk to End Child Sex Trafficking in Chicago
Annual Christmas Wreath Fund Raiser
Christmas Celebration with Ms. Black USA Delegate Ms. Ariel Fuller
Partners with the following Organizations: Restoration House Hands of Hope for You

2011

90% of our girls have increased their grade point averages as a result of entering the program
Featured on First Business News, Saints Newspaper, Lite FM 93.9 and BMO Harris Bank Small Business Lending Center (SBLC) Monthly Newsletter
Gathering of Women: REACH Annual Tea Party Fundraiser
Workshops held: Rising Above Mediocrity with Miss Black Illinois 2011 Jalissa Meredith, Chicago Child Care Society Empowerment Sessions, Money Management and Investing
Group outings: Night at the Symphony Orchestra Hall, Day at Great America
Chicago Board of Options Tour
Attended the Annual Apostolic Faith Church Annual Picnic
Annual Ice Cream Social fundraiser at Cold Stone Creamery
Lemonade Sale Fundraiser
Mentee Outing: Girls Take Flight with Dr. Mae Jemison, DuSable Museum
Sponsored 2011 Health Fair, provided school supplies, goody bag giveaway
Keys to Success College Tour: Northern Illinois University
Exhibitor:2011 African Festival of the Arts
Women in Ministry and Business Association Soaring for the Kingdom 2011 Conference
Partners with the following Organizations: 2011
Chicago Child Care Society

2010

Participant in Mentoring Fair sponsored by the Black Star Project/St Sabina Church
Recognition in Final Call article on The Black Star Project

Advisory meeting with Director of Community Affairs, Harris Bank N/A Judy Rice and President Good City Mike Ivers (assist with funding for non-profit start-ups)
Miles Davis Magnet Academy held workshops April –June 2010 for 7th and 8th graders Certificates were presented to all participants who completed the program
Held workshops, Fashion Design, College Readiness, Empowering and Motivating Young Minds, and Creation of Dreamboards
Free Chicago Bulls Dance Workshop, participants chosen performed with Endure Productions/Luv-A-Bulls on the Chicago Bulls court
Monthly group outings, Museum of Science and Industry, Ominmax Theatre, ETA Theatre Night, Night at the Symphony Orchestra Hall, Hyde Park Neighborhood Walking Tour
Mentees Volunteered @ DuSable Museum King Birthday
Sponsored Valentine Dance for Mentees and guest
University of Chicago College Tour
Ice Cream Social fundraiser at Cold Stone Creamery
Children’s Museum/Navy Pier provided free passes and transportation
Back to School Skating Party, provided school supplies, school uniforms
Attended the Apostolic Faith Church Annual Picnic
365 Girls Rock Pajama Conference
Free Tickets from Chicago Bulls to attend Game at the United Center
Christmas Celebration
Partners with the following Organizations:
Annie’s Legacy The Black Star Project
LAMAD Consulting Services, LLC SISTAH
Chicago Children’s Museum Virtue in Progress, LLC
Michelle’s House of Design 100 Black Men
The Sparks Group Jermaine Lawrence Anderson & Associates
Chicago Public Schools Mercy Hospital Sparkle Program

2009

REACH “Kick-Off” Event over 200 attendees
Meet and Greet Session Mentors and Mentees
Mother’s Day Brunch
Money Management Seminar
Back to School Health Fair School Supply Giveaway
Community Service Outing
Christmas Party Celebration