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History

Naperville Neighbors United - Fostering Community Empowerment and Well-being

NNU was founded in 2018 by Councilman Dr. Benny White and became a nonprofit organization in 2020. NNU was founded on the principles of building an inclusive community that celebrates our diversity. We are committed to supporting our community and providing a safe space to foster courageous conversations all in an effort to build trust amongst our residents.

Since its inception, Naperville Neighbors United has facilitated many community conversations on topics like implicit bias, Naperville’s founding history, discrimination against Asian Americans, supporting our Ukrainian families, and educating the public about resources during the pandemic. We have also celebrated Juneteenth since 2022 and organized a Multicultural Fair. 

As a catalyst for positive change, we believe in the transformative power of education, open dialogue, and collaborative efforts with various nonprofit organizations.

Our Approach

We firmly believe in the power of dialogue and education as tools for nurturing empathy and understanding. By facilitating meaningful conversations and providing educational resources, we aim to create a space where diverse voices are not just heard but also valued and respected.

Collaborative Outreach

Collaboration is at the heart of our efforts. We actively partner with other nonprofit organizations that share our vision of a more interconnected and compassionate community. Together, we work towards building a network of support and resources that uplift and empower individuals and families in Naperville and beyond.

Team 

Our board and volunteers are active community leaders who care about building community. 

Benny White - Founder

Kim White - Founder

Saily Joshi - Consultant

Officers/Board Members

Ellen Lanser May - Secretary

Roger Chawla - Treasurer

Tony Andrews

Meena Banasiak

Judith Brodhead

Keith Nguyen

Donna Sack

Ashfaq Syed  

Silvia Vega-Mitchell