A native Chicagoan and proud alumna of the Chicago Public School System, Dr. Toinette Gunn is the President & CEO of LINK Unlimited Scholars, a Chicago based nonprofit whose mission is to connect Black high school students with mentors, resources, and foundational skills for success as they advance into, through, and beyond college.
After obtaining her Bachelor degree from Western Michigan University in Criminal Justice and Sociology, Dr. Gunn went on to earn a Masters in Counseling from Oakland University, a Ph.D. in Counseling Education from Oakland University and is a Limited Licensed Professional Counselor with a specialization in Mental Health.
In her 20+ years of service in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Gunn has committed herself to delivering quality educational opportunities, access to college, supportive services, leadership, and career readiness skill development to disadvantaged urban youth. This passion also drives her personal commitment to service and giving back, as evidenced through the McClellan Family Foundation, which she founded over ten years ago. Annually, the foundation awards thousands of dollars to community organizations across Chicagoland and beyond to support education and youth.
Prior to her work with LINK, Dr. Gunn previously held leadership positions with other organizations such as Chicago Debates, Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois (BHGH), Chicago’s Partnership to Educate and Advance Kids (PEAK), Habitat for Humanity-Detroit, and Student Mentor Partners (Detroit).
N’DIGO recently sat down with Dr. Gunn to discuss her career origins, her inspiration for working with youth, and the work she does with Link Unlimited Scholars.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Dr. Toinette Gunn?
Dr. Toinette Gunn: I am a Black woman in leadership who is compelled to help my community, to give back, and to support the next generation of leaders. Education is the most transformational experience and opportunity that I’ve had access to in my life. I’m not unique and neither is my story. Thus, my quest to ensure that others have access to that opportunity, specifically Black people who have been the most oppressed, marginalized, and intentionally excluded.
As a child, what did you dream your profession would be?
From the time that I was a little girl, I wanted to be a lawyer. However, my interest in law shifted in college and I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do, but I knew I wanted to help people who struggled with poverty.
How did you find your way into the world of education?
In all aspects of my life, my passion for education, breaking negative intergenerational cycles of poverty for underrepresented and under-resourced youth has been prominent. My passion to help those less fortunate developed when I was a little girl. I organized my first charitable fundraising campaign at eight years old to help feed the starving children in Africa. As a little girl, I didn’t understand all of the intricacies of economics or social class, but I did realize that there were problems in the world and people who needed help, starting with my own low-income family. I could also see that the world didn’t seem fair because some people had so much and others so little. Specifically, I grappled with how others who had so much didn’t do more to help those who had so little. All of this to say, at a very young age, I felt compelled to help and to make a difference. Those realities of the world and my desire to help pushed me to pursue an education and career that focused on service and community impact.
What is LINK Unlimited Scholars?
As a result of hundreds of years of systemic racism, one of the biggest challenges facing Chicago is an educational system that magnifies debilitating and lifelong gaps for Black students. Education is the key for students to reach their full potential, both for themselves and for Chicago. Thus, it is critically imperative that youth have opportunities to cultivate their potential, which hinges on quality education. LINK Unlimited Scholars connects Black students with resources and opportunities to amplify their skills and talents to successfully advance into, through, and beyond college. LINK Scholars are equipped with the knowledge, skills, resources, and social equity to further college completion and career and leadership attainment that increases their economic mobility and creates a diverse leadership pipeline for our city.
As President and CEO, what does a typical day at work look like for you? What are some of your day-to-day duties?
One of the things I have always loved about my work as a nonprofit professional is that no two days are the same. Each day is different, which makes the work exciting! I get to flex so many different professional muscles every day. I communicate with various stakeholders, strategize and brainstorm Ideas, execute plans, engineer solutions to challenges, listen, guide and coach, inspire and motivate team members, learn from others and about new ideas, initiatives, and companies, collaborate and network, and more!
Having been a student in Chicago Public Schools yourself, how beneficial would something like LINK have been for you at the time?
I have had the opportunity to lead some amazing programs and have always wished that I had benefited from them. Unfortunately, I did not have an opportunity to participate in a program like LINK. But I would have been the perfect candidate. Like most of our Scholars, I was highly ambitious, academically high achieving, a leader within my family, school, and community, from a low-income family, and a first-generation college student. I wonder what would have become of my life had I been a part of a program like LINK. I believe it would have propelled me to success sooner. It was a long journey for me to get to where I am today. Although I am very happy with my career and my success, I believe if I had been exposed to other careers and offered more guidance, I would have chosen differently. The belief that ambitious and academically high-achieving students don’t need a program like LINK is a myth that has been busted! What we’ve learned is the access, opportunities, and resources provided by a program like LINK are life-changing and just as needed for these students as they are for any others.
What do you do to maintain your self-care and mental health?
I intensely focus on my career to ensure that I consistently perform with excellence. Often, that equates to working long hours. So, in my career of over 20 years, I’ve learned to pay attention to my needs. I know when I need a break or to take time to do the things that bring me joy and help me to recharge. That includes spending time with family & friends, dancing, skating, traveling, retail therapy, and relaxing on the beach.
Who or what inspires you?
Despite all of the negativity we see in the news and across social media about our young people, I am inspired by LINK Scholars. They keep me hopeful and confident that our future/we will be in good hands.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
I grew up kind of tom-boyish. I come from a family full of males with few females. So, I played with my brother and boy cousins and learned to do most of the things they did (basketball, softball in the street or what we called Piggy, jumping fences, whistling, playing video games, etc.).
Best advice to young people?
Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way! Treat them as if it’s a winning lottery ticket. You wouldn’t turn down a winning ticket so don’t pass on opportunities. You never know, it just might change your life!
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Live. Laugh. Love.” It’s funny because this saying has become pretty cliché and the butt of jokes, especially since the debut of the Progressive Insurance commercials. But I have several of these sayings throughout my home. The three words are catchy, but it’s more about how interconnected they are and how concisely they capture what I’ve learned about life.
Life is short, so you should make every effort to live it to the fullest, make it count, and do some good. Make an impact and leave a legacy. Laugh often because life can be difficult and filled with challenges, so you have to find time to laugh and enjoy yourself. After all, laughter is good for the soul and has a soothing effect. Love is powerful. I think we all want to love and be loved. But it’s important to love yourself so you can give and receive it. It’s love that drives our desire to help others and to make the world a better place.
What’s next for Dr.Toinette Gunn and LINK Unlimited Scholars?
There’s MORE to come! LINK Scholars are outpacing their peers and graduating college at 60% vs 21% nationally for Black students. We attribute this success to our model that provides our Scholars with the opportunities, resources, and support to help them excel and achieve their dreams. So, we know we need to do MORE! As we near our 60-year anniversary, we are aiming to nearly double the number of students we serve and have a greater impact in Chicago and our world.
For more information on Dr. Gunn and LINK Unlimited Scholars, please visit www.linkunlimited.org and be sure to follow them across social media at @LinkUnlimitedScholars.
