Our Story

In 2009, Liz Dozier was appointed to lead Fenger Academy High School on the South Side of Chicago. During her time as principal, Liz worked hand-in-hand with community members, including students, teachers, families, and staff, to holistically support young people and drive significant school improvement. Over the course of her tenure, student graduation rates doubled (from 40% to 80%), dropout rates decreased (from 20% to 2%), and in-school arrests decreased substantially (from 300 arrests to 10 arrests).

The school’s success was a result of Liz’s leadership, her team’s commitment to holistic educational practices, and the entire school community’s reorientation toward noticing and responding to systemic harm.

At Chicago Beyond, our unwavering commitment to noticing differently, relating differently, and working differently to advance enduring impact is directly tied to our origins and connections to students on Chicago’s South Side. By honoring the contexts in which our work takes place, and the dignity and immense value of the people we work with, we are able to increase the impact of solutions led by those closest to the issues and change the world for the better.