LoLita Canady

RCA President

LoLita was born and raised in the West Chesterfield/Rosemoor area and is now a homeowner in the same community. Coming from a "hands-on", working-class family, everyone had a skill that she picked up and learned from. Skills such as carpentry, sewing, painting, and reupholstring. These skills, along with her husband's engineering skills, helped create what is now Fields Creative Studio. FCS intergrates years of experience in multi-media production, mixed-media and body art, fabrication of art installations and usable pieces, restoration, and other creative projects. LoLita has established herself to be an influence and asset to her community. She is an invested homeowner and business owner in Rosemoor and is committed to helping continue to create an environment and neighborhood where she is proud to live and grow roots. She is married to her business partner and they have twin daughters. They are always enthusiastic about being present and active where they live. Together, they try to make an impact and volunteer their time and resources whenever possible. As an artist and creative, LoLita hopes to catalyze creativity and vitality in Rosemoor. Her previous work experience in customer relations and operations for 15+ years has trained her to focus on fulfilling a need while finding the best route to do it.  She is ready to bring new, fresh ideas and help push her community in a progressive, inclusive and sustainable way as our new President.

Dr. Felecia Thompson

Vice President

Dr. Felecia Thompson is a native of Iowa but raised on the south side of Chicago. She is the mother of two grown daughters and has been married for 46 years to Steven. Felecia received her Bachelor of Arts & Science from DePaul University, a Master of Science from Spertus College and received a Doctor of Ministry Degree from Bakke Graduate University in Seattle, WA. Felecia has also gone through senior management training with ServiceMaster Corporation and the John Templeton Institute's program for non-profit board leadership and fundraising. Dr. Thompson's teaching gifts have given her instructional roles at Moody Bible Institute, Trinity Christian College and Northern Seminary and as a conference presenter. Her administrative and leadership gifts have been utilized with the DeVos Family Foundation's Urban Leadership Initiative, Trinity Christian College, the Family Care Network her first Not-for-Profit Launch and then Resilient (a project of Christ Church of Oak Brook).  Felecia currently serves on boards for Together Chicago, for Biblica (The Int'l Bible Society) and for the Rosemoor Community Association. She has directed community partnership programs for Trinity Christian College, as associate to the President, at World Vision, where she served as Executive Director of its Chicagoland operations and as Domestic Mission Director for Christ Church of Oak Brook. She has now retired from full-time work but serves as an Adjunct Projessor and a Facilitator of Micah Intensives for Fuller Theological Seminary. One of her most valued roles is to serve as a mentor and friend to seven women leaders around the world.

Ann Lawson

Recording Secretary

Norma Lawson

Corresponding Secretary

Angela Ware

MLK Memorial Bridge Gateway Initiative Chairperson

Angela believes that anyone who serves in a leadership capacity has an obligation to be innovative and open minded.  Her 23 years of experience in the financial industry along with the additional combined years of work in social service; non-profit; transportation and religious industries have served as a platform for being a productive member of RCA and Chairperson for the MLK Initiative, although she quickly confirms that it is the energy and passion from each of the other Board members that inspires her to do the things that she does. Her commitment to RCA has been demonstrated by serving in various RCA roles, such as Youth Coordinator, Corresponding Secretary and by creating and maintaining the Website for the organization. "It is an honor to work with people who are sincere in their efforts to better the community," she says.

Jaleel Muhammad

Marketing  & Graphics Design Engineer

Shep Fields

Videographer & Sound Engineer

William Withers

MLK Garden Chairperson

(Theme Garden: Courage & Community)

Lola Davis

MLK Garden Co-Chairperson

(Theme Garden: Faith)

Lola has been a Rosemoor resident for over 30 years. She spent 25 years of her career in the Insurance industy working at both Marsh & McClennan Companies and AON Insurance Brokerage prior to retirement. In addition to having her Series 6 license, she also possesses a Nursing Assistant license.  Lola serves as RCA Garden Co-Chair where she utilizes her acquired "Master Gardener Certificate". In addition to her role as caretaker for themed garden "FAITH" she has given tremendous support to many of the RCA events like the "Back to School Parade" the "Appreciation Awards Program" with RCA's youth and is always hands on deck for our Annual Fundraising Events. She is the 101st & Eberhart Block Club President and an active CAPS member. Despite her busy schedule, she finds time to spend with her 2 daughters, 4 granddaughters while remaining a dedicated walker. 

Rebecca Gerring

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Perserverance)

In spite of her extremely busy schedule including her work as an entrepreneur, Rebecca still finds the time to help to make the MLK themed garden "PERSERVERANCE" along 100th Street another beautiful focal point of the community.  

Janet Poole 

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Equality)

Janet has been a resident of the Rosemoor community for many years.  When she is not spending quality time with her family. She spends time doing her newly found passion. Gardening! This self taught gardener not only has an impressive garden of her own, but helps RCA to coordinate the efforts of maintaining the 12 MLK themed gardens along 100th street.

Alberta Parks

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Humanity)

Alberta's love for gardening is reflective of the work she puts into helping with the MLK Gardens. She is definitely the reason passerbyers smile when they drive along 100th Street and are reminded of what TRUE community committement is all about. She also is able to answer any of your gardening questions.

Jackie Baldwin

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Freedom)

Barbara Steward

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Justice)

Inez Lewis

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Love)

Kevin McCray

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Legacy)

Gloria Cosey

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Children)

Shirley Brown

Elite Gardening Team

(Theme Garden: Hope)

Marlene Paige

RCA President Emeritus

Marlene Paige became president of RCA in 2001. Relocating to this community in 1999, she soon found out about RCA. Under her leadership, RCA has become a viable community organization that sponsors numerous events designed to enhance the quality of life for all residents.  The Rosemoor Community Association was revitalized because Marlene felt a strong sense of community involvement and believed that other residents of this community felt the same way.  Of course, she was right; revitalization occurred because residents came together and supported the Association. Marlene remains an asset to the Association by serving as President Emeritus.

Godfrey Lawson

RCA Advisory Board

Godfrey R. Lawson has been a life long southside resident of Chicago and a 15 plus year resident of Rosemoor. He is married to Ann Miller-Lawson and they have a son Adam who graduated from Columbia College Chicago. Godfrey retired from the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of Defense. and is an active member of the Air Force Security Police Association, Greater Roseland Chamber of Commerce, and serves as the president of his Block Club. Godfrey loves to read anything on African American History and the Civil War. With a motto like "get involved, physically and mentally", it's no wonder he was elected into the 2012 Chicago Senior Citizen Hall of Fame. 

Julia Cartwright 

RCA Advisory Board

Julia has been a resident of Rosemoor for about 30 years or more.  A retired school teacher of many years, Julia also found time after retirement to help within the community. Julia loves working with children and is always seeking valuable information to enhance the lives of our neighborhood students.  She thinks that our students need to venture out into the other subjects to become architects and the likes. 

Mark Gray

RCA Advisory Board

Mark exemplifies what a true volunteer should be by always willing to lend a hand whereever there is one needed. His character and upstanding citizenship serves as an asset to the Rosemoor community and especially to the organization.

Arlene Lee

RCA Advisory Board

Arlene continues to be a great asset to the Rosemoor Community. Many residents know and love her for her service as the owner of Professional Playhouse for over 40 years. She has planted many seeds of hope and has shared her time, energy and love with thousands of young people. Many have taken a moment to acknowledge the positive impact she has played in their lives.  We are glad to have her aboard.

Patricia Hambrick

RCA Advisory Board