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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
CELEBRATING THE ACHIEVEMENTS AND CIVIL LEADERSHIP OF DR. DILARA SAYEED, PRESIDENT OF THE MUSLIM CIVIC COALITION
WHEREAS, after ten years of dedicated service, Dr. Dilara Sayeed will transition from her role as President of the Muslim Civic Coalition; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed’s lived experiences, from her family immigrating from India in the 1970s to her first graduation from Head Start preschool for low-income children, inform the lens through which she surveys the world around her; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed has spent ample time learning about the world around her, including earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Marketing from the University of Illinois Chicago, Masters in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University, Masters in Education Administrative Certification, Doctorate in Education Policy and Leadership from Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an honorary doctorate from Chicago Theological Seminary for her faith-grounded civic leadership; and
WHEREAS, prior to her time a President of the Muslim Civic Coalition, Dr. Dilara Sayeed was a teacher, lecturer, and leadership facilitator, nurturing the young minds in our midst; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed was a pivotal part of the founding team as the Muslim Civic Coalition became fully formed; and
WHEREAS, the Muslim Civic Coalition is a partnership of hundreds of changemakers and organizations working to educate, collaborate, and amplify social and civic efforts with diverse races, faiths, and communities towards civic justice; and
WHEREAS, under Dr. Dilara Sayeed’s leadership, the Muslim Civic Coalition has grown to a nationally recognized civic institution; and
WHEREAS, during her tenure as President, Dr. Dilara Sayeed helped mobilize more than 150 partners and ally organizations across diverse faiths, races, and backgrounds to advance justice and strengthen civic power; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed is a firm believer that it is of the utmost importance to participatein our communities; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces and advocates for policy change through partnership and coalition building; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Dilara Sayeed has put that belief into action numerous times, including her 2021 appointment to the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes (CDHC) by Governor Pritzker, service on the Transition team for Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, participation on Advisory Councils for Mayor Lightfoot and Illinois Comptroller Mendoza, and her role as a Trustee of the Field Museum; and
WHEREAS, though Dr. Dilara Sayeed is stepping down as President of the Muslim Civic Coalition, she will continue as a civic leader and social impact entrepreneur as a board member of both the Muslim Civic Coalition and Muslim Civic Coalition-Activate; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby congratulate Dr. Dilara Sayeed for her efforts and accomplishments in building a more equitable Cook County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body, and suitable copies be tendered to the Dr. Dilara Sayeed as a means of conveying our sincerest thanks and most heartfelt congratulations.end