MWRD Commissioner Yumeka Brown inducted as a 2024 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence
Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Commissioner Yumeka Brown has been inducted as a 2024 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence. The prestigious award recognizes outstanding women who have made significant contributions to their community and society at large, embodying the spirit and legacy of the Chicago Defender.
"Being inducted as a 2024 Chicago Defender Woman of Excellence fills me with deep humility and gratitude,” said Commissioner Brown. “I want to thank those who nominated me for this prestigious honor and my family and friends for their unwavering love and support.”
The newspaper’s work during the Great Migration, encouraging African Americans to move north for better opportunities, stands as a testament to its commitment to positive change and social justice. Commissioner Brown highlighted this legacy, noting, “The connection to the Chicago Defender's legacy is a source of immense pride. The paper's impact on the African American community, advocating for civil rights and influencing public opinion, is remarkable."
Commissioner Brown’s induction into the 2024 class is a reflection of her dedication to public service and her significant contributions to the community. Her leadership at the MWRD and her commitment to environmental sustainability and public health are just a few examples of her tireless work.
Commissioner Brown was elected to the MWRD Board of Commissioners in 2022. Additionally, she was elected as Village Clerk in Matteson, Ill., in 2017 and re-elected to a second term in 2021. She is a native of the Roseland community and the Chicago southland. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is a 2020 graduate of the Illinois Women in Leadership Training Academy. She also has more than 20 years of experience as a non-profit certified association executive. She is employed as the senior director, governance and operations for the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Commissioner Brown is also a small business owner of The Iron Pearl Banquet Facilities in Chicago Heights, Ill.
