Executive Director

As Lakeside CDC’s executive director, Brian White brings an innate curiosity about community development and a strong record of activism on behalf of low income residents, diverse communities, and social justice.  Prior to joining Lakeside CDC, Brian was Director for Development and also Director for Community Relations at the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, a nationally recognized fair housing organization. Brian was principally involved in advocacy, community organizing, leadership development training, and fundraising.

Ebony Wilkerson, Esq., is Lakeside's Community Housing Specialist, with primary responsibility for the organization's community association training and technical assistance programs. Ebony brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Lakeside. 

Ebony received her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan before going on to attend Case Western Reserve University where she earned her Master's Degree in Management of Nonprofit Organizations. She subsequently worked as a fundraiser and directed marketing and development activities  for the United Way of Oakland County (Michigan) and Mercy Education Project. She also worked as a grant writing and strategic planning consultant and presented grant writing workshops. 

Ebony attended University of Michigan Law School, where she received her  law degree in 2004. While in law school, she worked for three years at the Legal Assistance for Urban Communities Clinic, assisting community development corporations with nonprofit organization formation, low-income housing tax credit applications, and partnership formation with for-profit developers. She also provided general real estate law and landlord tenant advice. Upon graduation, Ebony worked for three years practicing labor and real estate law. 

Ken joined Lakeside in September 2007 as Housing Organizer, working on tenant advocacy activities in Rogers Park. Ken’s primary responsibilities include coordinating Lakeside’s ongoing efforts to assist low- and moderate-income tenants and staffing the Rogers Park Ad Hoc Rental Housing Committee, a coalition organized by Lakeside in 2007. Under Ken’s direction, the coalition has organized a survey of renters, staged tenant workshops, and developed a 10-point Rogers Park rental housing plan. The Committee was reorganized as the housing committee of Partners for Rogers Park, a coalition of organizations and residents working on positive community development in Rogers Park. In addition to these activities, Ken serves as staff liaison to other neighborhood and citywide organizing efforts, including the Metropolitan Tenants Organization Community Congress.