Quad County Urban League
President and CEO
Theodia Gillespie
Receives
National Urban League’s
Legacy Award
​
[Aurora, IL] – [5-2-23] – The Board of Directors of the Quad County Urban League (QCUL) announced today that Theodia Gillespie, President and CEO of the QCUL will receive the National Urban League’s (NUL) Legacy Award at the 2023 NUL Leadership Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana. The award is presented to three CEOs during the organization’s Leadership Summit who have given decades of service to the Urban League Movement.
“Theodia Gillespie is a true leader in the Urban League Movement,” said Nina Hunter, QCUL Board Chair. “Her 31 years of service to the Quad County Urban League have made a real difference in the lives of countless people in the Quad Cities. She is a role model for all of us, and we are and more than deserving of the NUL’s Legacy Award.”
Gillespie has served as president and CEO of the QCUL since 1992. Under her leadership, the organization has grown to become one of the leading providers of social services in the Quad Cities. The Urban League provides a wide range of programs and services, including job training, education, housing, and healthcare.

Gillespie is a passionate advocate for social justice and equality. She is a strong voice for the underserved and has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people in the Quad Cities. The impact of her community and civic engagement within DuPage, Kane, Kendall and Will counties has made a difference for the region and the state. She is a graduate of the University of Iowa and holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
The NUL Leadership Summit is the largest gathering of Urban League leaders from across the country. The summit will bring together more than 1,000 leaders to discuss the most pressing issues facing the Black community today.
The NUL Legacy Award is presented to three CEOs during the Leadership Summit who have had decades of service to the Urban League Movement. The award is a testament to the honorees’ dedication to social justice and equality.

The 2023 NUL Leadership Summit will be held from May 2nd to May 5th at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. For more information, please visit www.nul.org.