Dr. Rawls also announced the appointment of Damani Bolden as Director of Development and Strategic Advancement at Leo.  

His first day was May 18. Mr. Bolden will oversee all of Leo’s fundraising and marketing efforts and assist Mrs. Yolanda Horton with community engagement projects as Leo seeks to build on its remarkable recent growth as it begins a second century of service to Chicago’s South Side communities.  

“Mr. Bolden brings an extensive background in leadership, public policy, fundraising, community engagement, and nonprofit development throughout the city,” Dr. Rawls said. “More important, he brings a deep commitment to young people, mentorship, and the continued advancement of communities on Chicago’s South Side. 

“As Leo continues to grow and expand during this historic period for our school, I believe Damani’s experience, relationships, and vision will be a tremendous asset to our Brotherhood and the future of Leo High School.” 

Mr. Bolden grew up in the South Side’s Wrightwood neighborhood and is a product of Chicago public schools, graduating from Vanderpoel Elementary and Lindblom Math and Science Academy. He earned a degree in Agricultural and Consumer Economics: Public Policy and Law from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he served as both Student Body President and Student Senate President. 

While still a student at Lindblom, Mr. Bolden was appointed by Mayor Richard M. Daley to serve on the Chicago Board of Education, representing more than 600,000 CPS students. During his tenure he helped establish a Student Bill of Rights for displaced students and advocated for improved nutrition standards in CPS schools, work that was featured on ABC’s World News Tonight.

Mr. Bolden’s professional experience includes serving as a Policy and Budget Analyst for Illinois Senate President John J. Cullerton; Chief of Staff for Illinois’ 14th Legislative District; Executive Director of the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation, and Senior Director of Development at the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology. He also became the first African American Publisher of the Hyde Park Herald and Executive Director of South Side Weekly NFP. 

“Throughout his career, Damani has helped secure millions in public and private funding to support youth mentorship, migrant services, healthcare access and African American history education initiatives throughout Chicago,” Dr. Rawls said. “He remains deeply committed to mentoring and community engagement on the city’s South Side. 

“Please join me in welcoming Damani to the Leo High School family.”