Chicago’s creative community will come together July 16 for the Downtown Leaders Council (DTLC) Summer Mixer, an evening of networking and conversation centered on the power of authentic storytelling.
Presented under the theme “Living Out Loud: Pride, Joy, and the Power to Shape Culture,” the event will take place at Schafer Condon Carter (SCC) and will bring together professionals from advertising, media, journalism and advocacy for a discussion on representation, storytelling and cultural influence.
The evening’s featured program is a 35-minute moderated discussion examining what it means to live out front with authenticity, courage and joy while shaping culture across media, politics, advocacy and journalism. The conversation will explore how lived experiences and public visibility influence storytelling, representation and the evolving role of LGBTQ+ voices in media and advertising.
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Moderating the discussion is veteran Chicago journalist and political analyst Laura S. Washington, contributing columnist for the Chicago Tribune and political analyst for ABC 7 Chicago. Washington brings decades of experience covering politics, race, social justice and public affairs, and is widely recognized as one of Chicago’s most respected journalists and moderators.
Joining her on the panel are Susan Betteridge, Chief Creative Officer and Partner at dame creative, and Precious Brady-Davis, Chief Strategy Officer at Center on Halsted and Commissioner for the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
Susan Betteridge has spent more than two decades leading creative work for major agencies including FCB, Ogilvy and dentsu before co-founding dame creative in 2020. She is also an active mentor within Chicago’s advertising community and has served in leadership roles with organizations supporting women and LGBTQ+ creatives.
Precious Brady-Davis is an award-winning advocate, author and communications strategist whose work spans public service, environmental justice and LGBTQ+ advocacy. She made history as the first openly Black transgender woman elected to public office in Cook County and currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer for Center on Halsted, where she leads organizational strategy and community partnerships.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, July 16, 2026
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Event Location
Schafer Condon Carter (SCC)
176 S. Racine Ave., Suite 300
Chicago, IL
Event Schedule
6:00 p.m. Attendee arrival and networking
7:00 p.m. Opening remarks and panel discussion
8:00 p.m. Panel concludes
8:00 to 9:00 p.m. Networking
9:00 p.m. Event concludes
For Chicago’s advertising, production and media professionals, the evening offers an opportunity to hear from influential voices whose work continues to shape conversations around representation, storytelling and culture while connecting with colleagues from across the city’s creative industries.
