They Called It Leadership Training—Now Its Alumni Are Running Chicago Institutions The Fabric of the Community Just Got Stronger “After launching UNO’s Metropolitan Leadership Institute (MLI) in 2001, Chicagoland has reaped the benefits of a new brand of Latino leadership.” — Juan Rangel From business executives and media professionals to government administrators and elected officials, the Metropolitan Leadership Institute (MLI) served as UNO’s leadership incubator under CEO Juan Rangel. Alumni such as Nancy Andrade (Mexifeast Foods, Class of 2009), Ray Giderof (Deputy Director of Construction, Class of 2007), and Silvana Tabares (EXTRA Newspaper, Class of 2010, later Illinois State Representative and Chicago Alderman) reflect the program’s strategy of placing graduates throughout Chicago’s business, media, nonprofit, and governmental institutions. MLI was designed to build a network of Latino civic leadership that extended far beyond UNO itself. Juan Rangel was the longtime CEO of UNO and the driving force behind MLI. Following his departure from UNO in 2013 amid controversies involving school construction contracts and subsequent SEC allegations related to bond offerings, he later launched the Mexican American Leadership, Policy and Action Committee (MALPAC), continuing his efforts to cultivate Latino leadership in both the public and private sectors. Nancy Andrade (MLI Class of 2009) served as President of Mexifeast Foods before moving into public service. She later served on the City of Chicago Board of Ethics and was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot as Chair and Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations in 2021. In March 2026, Andrade resigned from the Johnson administration following disputes surrounding a city report on antisemitism and allegations of a hostile work environment within City Hall. Ray Giderof (MLI Class of 2007) rose through Chicago’s public construction and infrastructure system before being appointed Executive Director of the Public Building Commission, placing an MLI alumnus in charge of major public construction projects throughout Chicago and Cook County. Silvana Tabares (MLI Class of 2010) transitioned from journalism at EXTRA Newspaper into elected office, first serving in the Illinois House of Representatives and later becoming Alderman of Chicago’s 23rd Ward. Looking back, Rangel’s prediction appears to have come true. The graduates of MLI did not simply become community leaders—they became decision-makers embedded throughout Chicago’s political, governmental, media, and civic institutions. Supporters may view this as the successful development of civic leadership. Critics may see something else: a well-connected pipeline that placed alumni throughout the very institutions responsible for shaping public policy, distributing public resources, managing public projects, and influencing public opinion. Twenty-five years later, the question is no longer whether MLI produced leaders. The question is how much influence that network has accumulated throughout Chicago’s power structure—and whether the public fully understands the reach of the institutions and relationships that helped shape it. FlipsRed.com #ChicagoFlipsRed

While Maze Jackson (husband of MWRD President Kari K. Steele) is publicly advocating ( hood lobbyist) for the expansion of gaming machines, and former Convicted Bank Robber Alderman Walter Burnett Jr. who has now passed the political torch to his son, Walter Redmond “Call Me Red” Burnett, discussions surrounding gaming and economic development in the 27th Ward continue. Chicago Flips Red believes there is a much bigger conversation that needs to be had. There are allegations that 33 sweepstakes gaming machines are currently operating throughout the 27th Ward. Locations: • BP – 750 N. Wells – 5 machines • Exxon Mobil – 135 W. Division – 6 machines • Mobil – 1234 N. Halsted – 5 machines • Shell – 1400 W. Division – 3 machines • Mobil – 505 N. Ashland – 8 machines • Citgo – 1535 W. Grand – 6 machines Why is the conversation always about adding more gaming machines while the conversation about ownership, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment continues to take a back seat? Chicago Flips Red believes our communities deserve investments that create wealth, not just transactions. We need more homeowners. We need more business owners. We need more property owners. We need more access to capital. We need safer neighborhoods. We need stronger schools and economic opportunities for our youth. We need policies that help families build generational wealth. At a time when many Chicago neighborhoods are struggling with crime, addiction, vacant properties, and economic uncertainty, residents have every right to ask whether expanding gaming opportunities should be a priority. Chicago Flips Red will continue to advocate for policies that put residents first and focus on community ownership, economic growth, public safety, and long-term investment in the people who call these neighborhoods home. The question is simple: Are we building communities, or are we building markets? FlipsRed.com #chicagoflipsred