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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING BLUE|1647 AND FOUNDER EMILE CAMBRY JR
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 was founded by EMILE CAMBRY JR., Chief Executive Officer, in August of 2013; and
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 is a technology and entrepreneurship innovation incubator and center focused on technology education, workforce development, and economic development in technology and 21st century skills; and
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 was listed in the first City of Chicago Technology Plan; and
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 is headquartered in the Pilsen community, and provides classes, workshops, apprenticeship and internship programs; and
WHEREAS, since its inception has worked with over 10,000 students with programs such as Latina Girls Code, where youth work on hardware and software development; 1919 Women in Tech, a cohort based training for women; Code Chicago, a technology boot camp series; the 21st Century Youth Project that includes youth tech programs including Minecraft coding; and Civic BLUE, a civic tech cohort training on data, analytics and community impact; and
WHEREAS, the 21st Century Youth Project, is an Edison Award-Winning program for teaching youth mobile and web app development, as well as hardware and 3D printing; and
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 has also served as a gathering space for inventors, civic engagement, and community building; and
WHEREAS, BLUE|1647 has branched out to other parts of the country, where in March of 2016 the Missouri State Legislature recognized MR. CAMBRY for establishing an innovation hub in the city of St. Louis, and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY JR. is a business professor, filmmaker, and social entrepreneur born, raised and still calling Chicago and Cook County home; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY JR. sits on the Mayor's Council for Technology Diversity; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY JR. received his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Chicago and his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY JR. gained experience in Investment Banking for J.P. Morgan Chase as well as teaching as a Professor at North Park University and is recognized as one of the Top 50 Business School Professors; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY JR. has produced films that have been licensed by HBO and Cinemax, as well as Showtime; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY, JR. is the President of the Chicago International Social Change Festival which showcases films that heighten public consciousness; and
WHEREAS, EMILE CAMBRY, JR. was named to Ebony Magazine’s Power 100, Chicago Crain’s Tech 50, recognized as a Top 100 Innovator in Chicago by the Chicago Tribune, as a 40 Game Changer Under the Age of 40 awarded by Verizon Wireless, and awarded the Community Service Award by the South by Southwest Conference; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby recognize and honor EMILE CAMBRY JR. for his work and dedication to providing technology and entrepreneurial opportunities to the Southside of Chicago and other Midwest areas, and for creating BLUE|1647 that continues to serve as a beacon of hope for economic development.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the proceedings of this Honorable Body and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to EMILE CAMBRY JR.
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