Name: Kurt Summers
What is your profession? Chicago City Treasurer
What is your age? 36
I have contributed to my industry by: dedicating my career to developing and breaking new ground for minorities and women in finance and investing financial capital to do more good for more people in the neighborhoods of the greatest city in the world, Chicago.
A lifelong resident and a son of the City of Chicago, newly appointed City Treasurer Kurt Summers is extremely passionate about the city he grew up in. Responsible for maintaining records and accounts of the city’s finances while ensuring transparency and accountability for all transactions, Summers has smoothly transitioned into his role. Beyond the enormous responsibility of maintaining the city’s finances, Summers serves as an advocate to empower young people, workers and small business owners, as well as programs that promote economic growth and financial education.
Standing on the shoulders of those who came before him, Summers is inspired by Chicago’s past, including his grandfather, Sam Patch, and
the potential in Chicago’s future. “My grandfather served as a senior advisor and confidante to Chicago’s first African American mayor, Harold Washington,” Summers tells BE Modern Man. Mayor Washington fought for economic equality and justice for all people and all neighborhoods of Chicago. “No matter what the fight was or what the issue was, these titans were prepared for battle, and they were super heroes in my eyes,” says Summers. “Another inspiration has always been Reginald Lewis, the extraordinary businessman and creator of his own billion-dollar enterprise. Reverend Jesse Jackson said of Lewis, “he raised the ceiling on new possibilities for all of us,” and I couldn’t agree more. ”Growing up in a place where opportunities are scarce, support systems fragile, and paths often leading to one of two places, Summers is uniquely positioned for his appointment. “My life could have (and in some respects should have) just as easily have taken one of those paths, and I take the obligation that comes with that
very seriously,” says Summers. Being blessed with certain gifts and talents comes with great responsibility, which Summers does not shy away from. “I work incredibly hard every day to serve as an example, to provide opportunities for others and to represent those who weren’t afforded a chance.”Read more on page 2…
Working to provide opportunities for all of the hardworking citizens of the City of Chicago is priority for Summers. “I’m a firm believer that we’re all in this together, and the fight for economic progress and equality is not a zero-sum game,” Summers tells BE Modern Man. “We must “lift as we climb” and that’s the approach I take with my peers, mentors and every other champion working to improve lives in our community.” Improving the lives in the community has its challenges and the road is not easy as Chicago faces the biggest fiscal challenge in over a century. “This challenge and the ability to have an impact on the city I love in it’s time of greatest need, is exactly what makes it all worthwhile.”
From an early age Summers knew that being an investor and finding ways to bring capital to the community was his calling in life. The fact that there hadn’t been an abundance of African American male role models on Wall Street never deterred him from pursuing his dream and beyond. “It’s important for our youth to see people that they can relate to in positions they strive for, and young people in our community need to know that I am them, and they are me,” summers tells BE Modern Man. “I commend BE Modern Man for highlighting careers in finance and introducing readers to a career path that needs more strong modern men.”
With the City of Chicago’s finances resting firmly on his shoulders, Summers is fortunate to have his wife Helen by his side as he serves the city and impacts its residents. “Seeking out the extraordinary, respecting those who came before and uplifting those around us while never losing sight of what is most important in life: family, faith and service to each other is the calling card of a BE Modern Man
,” says Summers. “Being a BE Modern Man means leaving this world, your community, your neighborhood and your household in a better place just by having been here. We change the conversation when we focus on the good, focus on the positive and focus on the infinite potential inside each one of us. That is why this narrative, this type of exposure is so important.”The BlackEnterprise.com team salutes Kurt Summers for his dedication to the City of Chicago and all of the people he serves. We are honored to call him a BE Modern Man and commend him for taking on such a big challenge as he works to empower young people, workers and business owners
It’s our normal to be extraordinary. Follow @blackenterprise and join the BE Modern Man conversation using #BEModernMan.