LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

Maurice Perkins, Inner City Youth and Adult Foundation President, Founder, & Chairman, founded ICYAF with his late wife, Christine Perkins,  in 1974 in Bronzeville Chicago.  Before starting ICYAF, Maurice served in the United States Army,  spent nearly a decade with Chicago's  Police Force and Fire Department, and several years in the field of Community Development with Chicago's Housing Authority.   

He fought tirelessly for a better public housing plan that did not perpetuate violence in the way that the Robert Taylor Homes, Ickes, and Ida B. Wells housing projects  in his neighborhood did. Maurice has frequently headlined the Chicago Tribune, Sun Times, and Public Defender for his philanthropic work with ICYAF, ranging from prison reform, job advocacy, gang mediation, and youth development. 

Jasmine Perkins was appointed Executive Director & Vice Chair of Inner City Youth and Adult Foundation Inc. in 2023 and has led the organization to new heights through both digital engagement and strategic positioning and partnerships. Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Management and has spent her early career in the Property Management and Communication fields.  As a Daniel Murphy Scholar in Chicago, she was privileged to be awarded a full 4-year college preparatory grant, facilitating her education at Cate High School.  Moreover, having received the University of Missouri's 4-year Diversity Award, Jasmine intimately understands the invaluable impact of financial aid in education.  Jasmine has an unwavering commitment to making higher education affordable and assessible regardless of socioeconomic status and has aligned ICYAF's mission and objectives with this initiative.

Heather Ferguson serves as the Treasurer on Inner City Youth and Adult Foundation's Board of Directors.  Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Minnesota and Masters of Arts in Public Administration and Special Education from Governors State University and University of Illinois, Chicago. Heather has worked with Chicago Public Schools for over 20 years as an Educator and currently as the Assistant Principal of John J. Pershing Magnet Elementary School in Bronzeville. Heather has been a strong advocate and representative for the Chicago's Teacher's Union and a mover and shaker in the push for an Administrators' union. Heather has spent much of her life supporting her parents work at ICYAF through mentorship and accounting services. We are honored to have her serving on the Board of Directors.