Dian Powell

Description	:	DIAN M. POWELL, a resident of Chicago’s Roseland community, is the Executive Director of the Calumet Center of Metropolitan Family Services, a large provider of social services in the Chicago area, which focuses heavily on parenting programs and other family services. She manages two facilities, a program budget of approximately 3 million, and a staff of fifty-five. During her leadership, a 2.5 million facility was built at its original location to provide better service to more than 7,500 families and individuals annually. Ms. Powell started as a secretary for the agency in 1968 and after five years in that position, she found her calling and went back to school to study social work. She has also served as program manager for senior services, project director for mental health services, supervisor and coordinator for residential and counseling services, and as a social worker specializing in family counseling – all at Metropolitan Family Services. She has conducted many professional presentations throughout the country on issues related to diversity, community, and services to older adults. These include “Preserving, Reclaiming, Reconnecting Children, Families, and Communities,” National Congressional Black Caucus 31st Annual Legislative Conference, Washington D.C.; “ Aging Myths, Stereotypes, & Realities,” Department of Human Services, Garfield Parent-Child Center; and “Valuing Diversity,” National Lewis University Education and Administration Graduate Class. Ms. Powell has received numerous awards and recognition for her work in the community, which includes the prestigious Kizzy Award. Ms. Powell is active in a variety of professional and civic organizations and serves on several boards. Currently, she is the vice-chairman of the Board of Directors at Roseland Community Hospital; chairman of the Board of Trustees at New Life Christian Ministries of Greater Chicago; vice-secretary of the Board of Directors of Dorthy Sutton Branch Head Start; and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Roseland Family YMCA and the African-American Family Commission. She served as the president of the National Association of Black Social Workers-Chicago Chapter for three terms. She has received four government appointments, one from former Governor Jim Edgar, another from former Governor George Ryan, the third from Mayor Richard J. Daley and the fourth from Governor Rod Blagojevich. Ms. Powell is a graduate of Roosevelt University, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Illinois. Ms. Powell is a licensed clinical Social Worker by the State of Illinois. She grew up on Chicago’s West Side and moved to Roseland soon after marrying her husband, Melvin, 43 years ago, who is a retired Chicago Police Neighborhood Relations sergeant. They are active with their church and community organizations. They have one son, Melvin Jr., and two grandchildren, Ashley Dian age 21 and Gabrielle Dyan age 7.