Collin Canright
Apr 18, 2025
7 min read
The Canright Calendar is a weekly email of networking events in Chicago. View all of our events here. Sign up for the list here. If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com.
Explore the intersections of equity, innovation, and security at a powerful lineup of events this April. From transformative solutions for supporting Black men and fathers in Chicago to actionable AI strategies and pressing cybersecurity challenges, these programs offer insights for driving progress across sectors. Plus, don’t miss a compelling conversation on how America’s transportation infrastructure continues to reinforce racial inequality—and what can be done to change it. The Imperative of Investing in Black Men and Fathers in Chicago City Club of Chicago April 22, 2025 Maggiano’s Banquets 111 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL Black men in Illinois face a persistent workforce crisis, with Chicago ranking lowest among major U.S. cities in labor force participation. In response, Equity & Transformation (EAT) and Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities (FFHC) conducted in-depth research to understand the barriers Black men and fathers face in securing stable employment. Their findings, to be released in the upcoming report, Breaking the Chains: Reclaiming Wealth, Power, and Dignity for Black Men, outline urgent, actionable solutions—including targeted guaranteed income, job training with wraparound support, fatherhood and mentorship programs, and investment in Black-owned businesses. This initiative aims to drive systemic change, ensuring Black men have access to opportunities that strengthen families and Chicago’s economy. In partnership with the Field Foundation. Register AI in Action: Solving Real Business Challenges Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce April 22, 2025 West Monroe 311 W. Monroe, 15th floor, Chicago, IL Discover how AI can address real challenges within your organization in this interactive workshop. We’ll begin with an overview of cutting-edge AI tools and real-world applications, showcasing how businesses are leveraging AI for success. Then, in small breakout groups, you’ll collaborate to develop practical AI use cases tailored to your organization’s needs. Walk away with actionable insights and strategies to implement AI-driven solutions effectively. Register GCSI 2025 annual Cybersecurity Conference April 23, 2025 IIT Chicago Kent College of Law 565 W. Adam St Chicago, IL Each year, we proudly host this prestigious, community-recognized event, bringing together nearly 200 leaders from across the cybersecurity landscape. Attendees include Senior Executives, CxOs, CISOs, Senior Security Officers, and other high-level professionals representing a wide range of industries and business sectors. Our conferences, held in April and October, feature more than 20 distinguished speakers and take place at two premier Chicago locations: the IIT Downtown Campus at Chicago-Kent College of Law and the MxD Campus at 1415 N. Cherry Ave, Chicago, IL 60642. The event opens with a high-energy keynote, followed by thought-provoking panel discussions led by senior leaders. Topics include digital assets, the rise of AI, and strategic cybersecurity planning—covering critical issues such as labor shortages and supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly within highly regulated industries like healthcare, insurance, and finance. Register using discount code: Canright2025 Dividing Lines: How Transportation Infrastructure Reinforces Racial Inequality Chicago Humanities April 24, 2025 Francis W. Parker School 330 W Webster Ave, Chicago, IL Experts have warned that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries when it comes to our infrastructure – whether it be roads, railways, bridges, or public transit (and don’t get Chicagoans started on potholes). However, Deborah N. Archer, President of the ACLU and professor and associate dean at New York University School of Law, warns that we can’t repair our infrastructure without first coming to terms with the troubling history behind it. She shares that while government-sanctioned racism was finally deemed illegal after the successes of the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, officials across the country turned to infrastructure to protect segregation. Archer joins us to uncover the hostility built into our everyday environments and explain why existing Civil Rights law is insufficient to address the challenges we face today. Register Sexual Assault Awareness Month This year’s theme, “Together We Act, United We Change,” highlights the importance of working together to address and prevent sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. This campaign focuses on enhancing public understanding of sexual violence, amplifying the voices of survivors, and empowering us to work together to promote the safety and well-being of others. Everyone in our communities deserves to live in safe and supportive environments where they are treated with respect. When our workplaces, schools, and communities work together to uphold safety and respect, we make progress in preventing sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. Learn more Arts Corner Canright account manager Alexandra Sulack is an opera singer and voice teacher. She curates arts recommendations for you. Titanique Mar 25 – Jul 13, 2025 Broadway in Chicago All aboard NYC’s must-sea musical comedy! When the music of Céline Dion makes sweet Canadian love with the eleven-time Oscar®-winning blockbuster film “Titanic,” you get Titanique, off-Broadway’s most award-winning splash hit, which turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical musical fantasia. Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Just leave it to Céline Dion to enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog. Sailing on fierce powerhouse voices in show-stopping performances of such hits as “My Heart Will Go On,” “All By Myself” and “To Love You More” – backed by the unparalleled energy of a full live band – Titanique is a one-of-a-kind theatrical voyage bursting with nostalgia, heart and campy chaos. Tickets & More Info If you have any other suggestions you’d like us to consider, send them to Alexandra at alexandra@canrightcommunications.com. |