Local 'Renaissance Woman' Never Stops Helping Others

"Brenda Davis is tirelessly dedicated to bettering the lives of youth. She is a conduit focused on disseminating information and bringing in experts to mentor our youth and prepare them to be successful in life."

--Dorletta Payton, vice chair of Building Academic Achievement Within This Generation

Selfless, kind and caring only begin to describe Brenda Davis.

Davis, a consummate volunteer, is working with newly installed DuPage County NAACP President Mario Lambert to coordinate a meet and greet in Bolingbrook. She also volunteers with inner city students, securing supplies from corporate donors.

Davis’ level of commitment is unmatched, Forrester said.

In 2006, Davis co-chaired the ACT-SO program overseeing operation. Three weeks prior to the program’s conclusion, her husband was in a tragic car accident that cost him his life.

Although no one expected her to continue, Davis set aside her grief and in the midst of personal tragedy, focused  on the continuation and completion of each students' journey.

Wanda Parker, a fellow volunteer and friend called Davis a "Renaissance woman" in the community.

"Coupling that with her passion, beautiful personality and dedication to our youth; she’s serious," Parker said. "While working on any project, Brenda’s like a speedy fireball. When she stops, you better believe the job is done—and done exceptionally well."

A youth advocate who embodies the spirit of volunteerism through her unwavering commitment to improving teens' future, Davis was raised in Chicago’s notorious West Side and was unwittingly directed onto the path she travels today.

As a teenager, Davis was active in the Off the Street Club, a community-based organization that offered multiple options for youth to engage in positive activities.

Davis wasn’t cognizant of it at the time, but each experience she went through reinforced her value on service.

By the time Davis was ready to move to Bolingbrook, she had fully embraced the concept of volunteerism, vowing to someday give back when she was in a more advantageous position.

"I was fortunate to be in that atmosphere," Davis said. "I was really into the arts, acting and dancing. I was able to travel with the group to California and Ohio, which opened my eyes to a larger world and opportunities that existed beyond my neighborhood."

Bolstered with a resolve seek opportunity, Davis attended Northeastern Illinois University on Chicago’s North Side and majored in business. Immediately following her graduation, she landed a job with the Illinois Student’s Assistance Commission as a business analyst.

Davis’ position entailed acting as a liaison of sorts, initially determining business needs, then working with a technology team to implement those actions.

Years later she continues to draw upon that experience, incorporating aspects of it in her numerous volunteer efforts.

Adhering to her promise to give back, Davis has become and invaluable cog in the DuPage County NAACP youth-oriented Academic, Cultural, Technological, Scientific and Olympics group.

A volunteer since 2002, Davis has held various leadership positions with the group, aiming to further the aspirations of young people.

"I got involved with ACT-SO when my daughter Ashley was a junior," Davis said. "I saw that they had a need for people to help them raise money. I started volunteering for the fund-raising committee, then I assisted with the program books and public relations until the program chair Sadie Flucas retired and resigned.

"The program was such a positive influence for our kids out in the burbs that myself and Jackie Mayo agreed to co-chair. I did that for three years. Now I’m co-chairing the program committee."

In that role, Davis has assumed joint responsibility for coordinating monthly student-enrichment events that included planning workshops, procuring facilitators, developing service projects, coordinating social events and, most notably, organizing a college fair.

Terri Ransom, who helped co-chair the programming committee for ACT-SO this year, said Davis' focus on helping teens helped inspire her efforts with innovative activities.

"She boldly takes on any task with inspiring creativity," Ransom said. "She is kind, diligent and productive with a light heart and a positive attitude. It is a blessing when you can partner with an honest individual who brightens the environment of any atmosphere."

After Davis' son Justin graduated from in 2009, Davis added to her volunteer efforts, reaching out to students outside the ACT-SO program.

Davis began working with acquaintance and .

"Just working with LaToya Forester when my kids were seniors was a learning experience," Davis said. "College is a process and the kids who are the most informed fare the best.

"I realized how fortunate we were to be able to afford to work with LaToya. There was a gap for other kids in the community who didn’t necessarily have the money to pay to someone to find scholarships, resources or get help with interviewing and essays. I saw it as another opportunity for me to help kids."

That help is drawn directly from her real life job as a project manager in the technology department for JP Morgan Chase.

"I try to do what I can," she said. "I’ve been helping with mock interviews. There is a huge gap in learning how to interview for scholarships. The body language thing, how you always have to ask a question, the importance of having an interest in the organization that can potentially give you money."

Forrester said Davis is a great asset to the community and an advocate for student enrichment and empowerment.

"She is passionate about student success and very informed," Forrester said. "Bolingbrook and the DuPage and Will counties areas are better because of her contribution to seeing students advance academically and prepare for post-secondary education."

When Davis finds a spare moment, which are few and far between, she fills it by satisfying requests to sit on scholarship panels like the Quad Country Urban League and .

Davis passionately endeavors to circulate information about existing scholarships, how to apply and to help deserving students gain an edge on securing funding.

Davis said she is driven by a sense of reciprocity and clarity that, in the cosmic scheme of things, she feels responsible to pay forward thanks to the auspicious start afforded early in her life.