A native Chicagoan and former resident of public housing for 23 years (Abbot Homes and Robert Taylor Homes) Dr. Felicia Y. Blasingame pulled herself up by her bootstraps and now heads one of the most effective human service agencies on the South Side of Chicago: South Central Community Services, Inc., now celebrating forty-five (45) years of involvement in improving the lives of community residents.
Dr. Blasingame worked her way up through the ranks of South Central, beginning in August 1979 as a teacher of emotionally disturbed and learning disabled students. She also served as a Learning Disabilities Specialist, Special Education Administrator and Associate Executive Director in Charge of All Programmatic Affairs prior to being named President/Chief Executive Officer in July 1990.
During her 35 year tenure, Dr. Blasingame has contributed greatly to the growth of South Central from a special education school for emotionally and behaviorally disordered youth to a major human service agency, offering fourteen programs and services from four facilities and ten senior satellite facilities. An effective and enthusiastic leader, Dr. Blasingame has successfully promoted and advanced its Mission by responding to community needs with the expansion of programs, services and facilities, and by forming strong relationships with community leaders and organizations.
Dr. Blasingame's academic credentials include a diploma from DuSable High School, Bachelor's degree in elementary education from DePaul University, master's Degree in special education from Chicago State University, Doctorate degree in educational administration from Nova (Southeastern) University and Clinical Massage Therapist Certification from Sawyer College. She has enhanced her educational background with academic training, practical teaching and administrative expeience via attendance in workshops and lectures. Dr. Blasingame is the president of "Together Everyone Achieves More" (T.E.A.M.) Consulting, and conducts workshops in Effective Leadership, Strategic Planning, Team Building, Youth Development, and Stress Management.
Her civic affiliations include appointments by Governors Quinn, Blagodevich, and Ryan to the Illinois African American Family Commission and appointment by Governor Edgar to membership on the Commission for Guardianship and Advocacy. She currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Chatham Business Association, is a member of the Greater Chatham Youth Advisory Committee, and is a founding member serving on the Federation of African American Agencies (Chicago Community Trust) and next Level Health Partners. She also has been selected by Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General, to serve on the Charitable Advisory Council.
Dr. Blasingame formerly served on the Board of Directors of the HOPE foundation, the Black Executive Directors Coalition, the Illinois African American Coalition for Prevention, the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the Greater Chicago Food Depository. She has served as a former member of the Illinois State Committee of North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the African American Affairs Council of the Office of the Illinois State Treasurer, the Executive Committee of the Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, and the Illinois Affiliation of Private Schools for Exceptional Children. She was a past President of the Illinois Council for Children with Behavior Disorders and past Chairperson of the Advisory Ambassador Committee, United Way, Crusade of Mercy.
Among the honors bestowed on Dr. Blasingame are the "Woman At The Top Of The Game" Award presented by America's Time Out for Youth; Mary Herrick Humanitarian Award, National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Citation Award; South Central Community Services, Inc. "Promises Fulfilled" Longevity Award; the Kizzy Image Service and Achievement Award; the Bethune Tubman Award presented by the Black Woman's Hall of Fame; the Ambassador of Mercy Service Award. presented by United Way Crusade of Mercy; the Humanitarian Service Award, presented by the Mazalene Roberts Towner Scholarship Foundation; the Umoja/Unity Award presented by WVON-AM; the Phenomenal Woman Award presented by the V Expo for Today's Black Woman; the Rising Star Award presented by ABJ Community Services; the Outstanding Service Award presented by the Chatham Business Association as well as the Public Service Award and the Leadership/Youth Direction Award, presented by the Chatham/Avalon Community Council. She has also received the Exemplary Support Award presented by Black on Black Love; and the Leadership Award presented by the Illinois Africn American Coalition for Prevention. in addition, her name appears in "Who's Who in American Education" and in the "International Who's Who of Professionals". Dr. Blasingame has been honored as one of Chicago's "50 Top Women of Excellence" by the Chicago Defender.
Dr. Blasingame is the wife of Zachary Blasingame and the mother of one daughter, Chloe.
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