Allen Stahl is the Executive Director of Renaissance South Chicago. He was born and raised in the neighborhood,graduated from Immaculate Conception School and moved  to the suburbs. As an adult he lived in many locations and traveled  throughout the world, all while continuing 

 to love and be concerned for his childhood home. Upon retiring he became involved in volunteer work in South Chicago and in 2024 helped found Renaissance South Chicago.  He is dedicated to working on residential property enhancements and affordable housing.

Crystal Vance Guerra (she/her) is a Chicana poet, historian, and educator based in Chicago and Mexico City. Her art is Latin Americanist at root, often Spanglish in expression, and written to be read out loud. Guerra is the founder of Chicago's only poetry slam in Spanish, Slam Diáspora.

Raised in south suburban Chicago Heights, Dave received his BA and MBA from the University of Chicago and had a 30-year career in manufacturing before returning to school for a Masters in Adult Education from DePaul University. He worked for nonprofits in workforce, commercial and community development, including five years as Program Manager for Commercial Avenue SSA 5 in South Chicago. Now retired in South Chicago, he serves on the Renaissance South Chicago board and Bessemer Park Advisory Council. Dave advocates for ABCD (Asset Based Community Development), believing communities have untapped assets that can transform neighborhoods when residents, businesses and institutions work together.

Vanessa Bly is a Chicago East Side native and documentary photographer who graduated from Columbia College in 2011 with a BA in Photography. She has taught students from primary through high school and freelanced for online blogs and cultural events. Currently, she serves as gallery photographer and community media partner for Artery_SE in Hegewisch. Her work focuses on community arts through Bridges // Puentes Justice Collective, Calumet Connect, Invest Southwest, and Artery SE, elevating stories from her underrepresented neighborhood through photography and research.

Isis Bazaldua, a Southeast Chicago resident, co-founded Bridges//Puentes to combat industrial pollution through environmental activism. With a Bachelor's in Human Development and Learning from UIC, Isis specializes in Youth Programming and Community Building. As a queer, genderfluid Latiné individual, they bring deep understanding of the Southeast side's needs to their work. Isis has led initiatives including the first Southside pride parade, toy drives, mutual aid efforts, and art activism. Trained in trauma-informed care and restorative justice, they believe in community-led transformation and view youth as vital change agents in the Southeast side community.