ABOUT KLD
Meet Dr. Kim L. Dulaney, a woman whose life journey is a compelling tapestry of achievements and transformative experiences. Rooted in the vibrant city of Chicago, she first carved out her legacy in the environmental engineering field. At the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, Dulaney shattered glass ceilings by becoming not only the youngest Pollution Control Officer but also one of the first three African Americans to hold this esteemed position.
While many would be content with such monumental achievements, Dr. Dulaney extended her talents into the world of Fine Arts. As a Fine Arts Broker, she curated art collections for an illustrious clientele, featuring NBA All-stars like Antione Walker, Michael Finley, Greg Buckner, and Nick Anderson, along with celebrated figures such as R. Kelly and Craig Ironhead Heyward.
In that same aim of exposing and celebrating Black culture through creative production her path took a slight turn when she answered a call from Father Michael Pfleger to impart wisdom to a younger generation. Dr. Dulaney became an educator at St. Sabina, teaching African American Studies to 3rd - 8th grade students. She went on to teach high school students, graduate level writing, fiction writing, English, Chicago Police Department Officers, and in many other community led programs. Ultimately, she landed her dream position as Professor and Coordinator of African American Studies at Chicago State University where she is credited with shaping the program into an African-centered pillar of excellence for the university and for alternative educational systems through innovative partnerships and multi-level community engagement. After taking early retirement from CSU, Dr. Dulaney desired to use her university knowledge to help shape and brand a leader in community education by becoming the Vice President of Education and Programs at DuSable African American History Museum, which was later rebranded as DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center.
In addition to her professional roles, Kim L. Dulaney has continually worked in other spaces and with other mediums to tell Black stories. She has authored a dozen books, published books, published music, curated an exhibition, collaborated on films, and is currently working on a documentary.
Dr. Dulaney's story stands as an inspiring testament to the transformative power of dedication, versatility, and lifelong learning. She is not just an accomplished professional but a beacon of influence, continually striving to make meaningful impacts in diverse fields.
Educator, Writer, and Renaissance Woman
All of her life's work has revolved around activism and education. Her dual greatest aspirations are - to help Black folks see and reclaim themselves, so they can fully realize and embrace their inalienable rights, and to someday help to bring clean and safe water to poverty-stricken, forgotten folks in Africa, India, and unfortunately now America.
A Culturalist
In the annals of heroes who walk among us, Dr. Kim L. Dulaney stands as a luminary of empowerment and global community enrichment. As a cultural consultant, a current Board Member of Black Oaks Center, a former member of HistoryMakers Higher Education Advisory Board, and Emeritus Board Member of Africa International House, she plays a pivotal role in advocating for, and showcasing the rich tapestry of African heritage.
THE GLOBAL LIBRARIAN
Her acts of kindess extend across international border. From Ghana to Haiti, Liberia to Cuba, Dr. Dulaney has gifted the treasure of knowledge by donating books to children, schools, libraries, and orphanages. Each book serves as a seed, promising the growth of empowered minds and enriched lives.
The Architect of Sustainability
A dedicated visionary, Dr. Dulaney has consulted on and contributed to life-altering projects, such as the planning of a vital well in Ghana, a self-sustaining wastewater and recyclable sludge system in Haiti, and a multi-acre retreat project in Michigan. These ventures stand as monuments to her commitment to fostering sustainable communities worldwide.
The Educator Behind Bars
But perhaps her most transformative work lies closer to home. Recognizing a void in the educational resources available to men in Cook County Jail accused of severe violent crimes, Dr. Dulaney reached out to Sheriff Tom Dart. The result was nothing short of revolutionary: an African American Studies course designed specifically for detainees, particularly those in Division 10. With the aid of volunteer scholars, clergy, and activists who could genuinely connect with these men, multiple cycles of this groundbreaking program have since been conducted.
DR. DULANEY
A LEGACY OF TRANSFORMATION
Dr. Kim L. Dulaney isn't just committed to altruistic endeavors; she is a living embodiment of the change one person can affect on both local and global scales. Her story is an enduring testament to the indomitable human spirit committed to making the world a better place—one act of kindness, one lesson, one community at a time.
Speaking to, for, from, and about marginalized folks
As a keeper of history in the form of stories, Dr. Dulaney has travelled the world seeking to commune with, understand, and advocate for Black folks. What she has found was captured in a statement made by her son on a trip to South Africa. "The Hood is the Hood, everywhere; people are the same." On a gift-giving excursion Dr. Dulaney bought, then delivered her mentor Dr. Bartley McSwine's book collection to a university in Ghana, after he transitioned. She later adopted, then collected and purchased supplies for a school in Liberia. Through her gifting efforts she has also made books available to orphanages, schools, churches, and villages across the globe, including in Ghana, Liberia, Nubia, Haiti, and Cuba.
Recognitions and Awards
Respected leaders of Chicago grassroots and street organizations recognize her as "The People's Professor." Dr. Du is a noted Salzburg Global Solutions Fellow, a community Mama, an award winning author, a certified trauma specialist, a Percy L. Julian Hall of Famer, the current Chair of the Museums in the Park (11 major museums in Chgo) Education Committee, and mentor to several authors, scholars, and artistic creators.
IGNITING THE FLAME OF CHANGE
In a world often marred by uncertainty and division, Dr. Kim L. Dulaney emerges as a beacon of resilience, wisdom, and incalculable impact. She doesn't just dream of a better world—she actively constructs it, whether through the corridors of academia, the global platforms of cultural heritage, or the confined spaces where society's overlooked yearn for a second chance. Dr. Dulaney's life is not merely a series of remarkable achievements; it is a clarion call to each of us to rise, act, and transform our own corners of the world.
If you've ever questioned the capacity of one individual to make waves that ripple across the globe, look no further. The journey of Dr. Kim L. Dulaney is proof that the flame of one passionate soul can ignite the tinderbox of change, setting ablaze a legacy that warms us all. Get to know her, and in her story, find the spark to light your own indomitable fire.
Let Dr. Kim L. Dulaney's incredible story inspire you to seek out your own avenues for impactful change and purposeful living. There is a world out there waiting for your unique flame—let's set it alight.
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