2025 Board of Directors Nominees

Meet our 2025 Board of Director Nominees. You can learn more about them by clicking on their photo.

Clifton Johnson

My name is Clifton Johnson. I have been a resident of Humboldt Park for more than 16 years, and I have had the honor of being on Bickerdike’s Board of Directors for the last 6 years. Over the course of my time on board, I have been a member of the Board Governance Committee, Personnel Committee, Finance Committee, and the Rockwell/BRC Affiliate board. In addition, I served as Board Treasurer from 2019-2021 and was elected Board President in 2022.

My wife and I have two children who attend Lane Tech College Prep. Prior to Lane Tech, we carpooled with several neighbors to Inter-American Magnet School, a dual language immersion school with a unique focus on community and the history of indigenous peoples.

As a long-time resident of Chicago’s west side, I know firsthand how many people in our community are in desperate need of affordable housing, and I know the degree to which residents are being displaced due to increased property taxes and community changes. Affordable housing has never been more important, and I’m proud to be a part of a community led effort to improve economic conditions and self-determination.

I fell in love with Humboldt Park because of its diversity and vibrancy – tree-lined streets with children playing, softball games taking place in the park while people play dominoes nearby, and the many people who call this place home whether they can afford a house here or not. Humboldt Park residents’ collective vision for this community is what matters most. If we talked to every person across this community, the vision that would emerge would likely sound much like Bickerdike’s mission: a safe neighborhood where people can live, work and determine their own future.

Bickerdike’s Board of Directors reflects a unique mix of perspectives and experiences. The Board plays a critical role in elevating community voices within Bickerdike’s work and helping the organization to achieve its long-term vision.

Bickerdike’s role is clearly to provide affordable housing for those in need, but the organization does not just build housing. We build communities where residents feel a part of something bigger than themselves, have a voice in their future and become the leaders of tomorrow. Bickerdike plays an active role thereby providing jobs, connecting people, and organizing for change. I would be honored to serve again on the Board of Directors, and I’m excited about the work ahead.

Diane Spires

My name is Diane Spires, and I have lived in the Humboldt Park community for 40 years. I have proudly been involved with Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation for 37 of those years.

Over the past three decades, I have had the honor of serving on Bickerdike’s Board of Directors for 33 years, including six years as President. During that time, I have also chaired the Personnel Committee and the Rental Housing Steering Committee and its Appeals Subcommittee, and served as President of Bickerdike’s subsidiaries, Rockwell Community Development and BRC Affiliate. I currently continue to serve on several committees and subsidiary boards, including the Personnel Committee, Rockwell Community Development, BRC Affiliate, the Rental Housing Steering Committee, and the Appeals Committee.

Bickerdike’s mission holds deep meaning for me. Its commitment to honesty, openness, and community-driven development reflects the values that have shaped my own life in Humboldt Park. I strongly believe in development by and for community residents, and in fostering self-worth, self-respect, and pride among our neighbors.

I would like to continue serving on the Board because I still have the energy, passion, and dedication to help guide Bickerdike’s work. My goal is to support the organization’s continued growth as a strong, resident-led force for positive change in our communities and across the city.

My vision for our neighborhoods is simple but vital: to ensure that every resident has access to quality, affordable housing. I believe Bickerdike’s role is not only to build and preserve housing, but also to keep the community informed about important issues and to advocate for affordability and equity.

After many years as a volunteer and leader, I have had the privilege of watching Bickerdike grow in size, scope, and impact, and I would be honored to continue being part of that progress.

Alex Wilson

My name is Alex Wilson. I have been a resident of the community for over 30 years, and have been involved with Bickerdike for over 25 years. During my time on the board, I have been a member of the Finance Committee, Board Governance Committee, and the Housing Committee.

I first got involved with Bickerdike in 1999 when an organizer helped organize a block club on the street I lived on in Logan Square. Then, in 2004 I worked with Bickerdike to create and pilot a summer youth Earn-A-Bike program called BickerBikes. From BickerBikes more programs grew which in turn grew into an organization I founded named West Town Bikes, where I serve as Executive Director. To this day, our organizations remain partners and supporters of each other’s work.

I fully support and agree with the mission of Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation. I believe there are countless ways that we can all contribute to making our community and world a better place. For the past 21 years I have dedicated my professional and personal life to making Chicago a better place by using bicycles as a tool to build community. Bikes are only one of many tools that can be used to help address larger quality of life issues. These include housing, employment, education, safety, transportation, health, and wellness – all issues that Bickerdike has been working on for over 50 years.

Bickerdike should continue to be a leader in its work of addressing quality of life issues for Chicago communities. Bickerdike has played a pivotal role in my life and work. It is an honor to serve on Bickerdike’s Board of Directors and to be able to contribute to an organization that has contributed so much to me and my community. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve in this capacity.