Meet DTC’s Summer MAPPED Fellow

We are excited to introduce the newest member of the Design Trust Chicago team, Courtney Brown. Courtney joins us as a MAPPED Fellow, and they will spend the summer supporting DTC with planning community outreach efforts surrounding MAPPED events.

Courtney graduated from Oberlin College where they received their Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Africana Studies. They have experience in community relations, partnerships, and programming for institutions across the city, including the Art Institute of Chicago. Courtney has curated numerous music and art-focused events, including an online exhibition titled, "Through The Loop: Chicago's Youth Artist Revolution," which featured over 30 mixed media digital and physical artwork pieces created by emerging Black femme and non-binary artists. In their free time, Courtney embraces their love for music as a DJ for 91.5 FM WOBC.

The DTC team first connected with Courtney through our work with Design Services Program Awardee Free Spirit Media. As a North Lawndale resident, Courtney saw the transformation of FSM’s building and was then introduced to us. We look forward to seeing their creative and organizational skills shine with us this summer!

The MAPPED Fellowship is sponsored by Free Spirit Media's One Summer Chicago Internship Program.  Free Spirit Media is a community organization in North Lawndale providing  teens and young adults in communities of color on Chicago's West and South sides with a comprehensive foundation in media literacy and hands-on media production experience.  Free Spirit Media is also an awardee of the inaugural cycle of DTC's Design Services Program.  We are eternally grateful to be in partnership with Free Spirit Media and support their incredible work for Chicago's youth!