President

Charmaine's journey with the Chicago Public Library began in March 2000, when she joined as a Library Page. Since then, she has worked her way to her current role as Branch Manager of the Kelly Branch. Over the past 26 years, She has had the honor of serving a wide range of Chicago communities, an experience that has shaped her into a flexible, solutions‑oriented librarian who readily adapts to the diverse needs of our neighborhoods. Throughout her career, she has been deeply committed to promoting literacy, learning, and community engagement through innovative and meaningful programs. These experiences have strengthened both her skills and her passion for public service. She is confident that her background has prepared her to support and advance our chapter’s mission as your President.

My vision for the Chicago Chapter of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association is rooted in possibility, collective strength, and the belief that libraries can transform lives and communities.

Felicia is a former recipient of the Charlemae Hill Rollins Scholarship, which she received in 2023. She has worked at the Chicago Public Library for 27 years. She began her career as a Library Page, has held nearly every clerical position within the library system, and now serves as a Library Associate. These experiences have strengthened her dedication to supporting library professionals, promoting literacy, and encouraging educational opportunities within our community. Through hard work, dedication, and a passion for library service, she look forward to becoming a Librarian soon.

My vision for this organization is to continue building a supportive and inclusive environment where members feel encouraged, valued, and inspired to grow professionally and personally.

Driven by a lifelong commitment to collective uplift, Cydni has dedicated her career to creating and sustaining deep value within the African American community. Growing up on 61st Street, she discovered her safe haven and inspiration at the nearest public library. While her mother attended classes at Chicago State University, Cydni spent hours there under the encouraging wing of her favorite librarian and storyteller, Ms. Lockridge. 

Cydni holds a BA in Political Science and an MLIS from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. As a dedicated member of the BCALA since 2020, she brings a warm, collaborative spirit and fierce discipline to her work. She has earned a Google UX Design Certificate alongside multiple other credentials, including but not limited to Postpartum Doula certification, ensuring she continually finds meaningful ways to support, educate, and directly empower the community.

My vision for the BCALA Chicago Chapter is to build a strong, transparent financial foundation. I am committed to ensuring our funds are managed responsibly and allocated strategically to support literacy initiatives, eliminate unmet information needs, and champion educational equity across Chicagoland.

Secretary 

Erin Dawson is a Teen Library Associate with the Chicago Public Library and a front-end web developer with more than ten years of experience in technology, digital accessibility, and community engagement. Her work centers on creating welcoming and supportive spaces for young people through hands-on programming, community engagement, and access to technology. She has experience coordinating events, communicating across teams, and managing projects in both library and technology environments.

As Secretary of CCBCALA, I hope to support the organization through strong communication, organization, and collaboration while helping strengthen connections among members across different stages of their careers. I believe professional organizations play an important role in creating community, mentorship, and opportunities for growth, especially for Black library professionals and students entering the field.