Equality Illinois has named Brian C. Johnson as its new CEO, succeeding Bernard Cherkasov, who previously announced his resignation effective March 31.
Johnson currently serves as a vice president at Leadership for Educational Equity, a national organization that works to get teachers and former teachers more politically and civically active. Johnson, a former public school teacher, has spent more than a decade leading advocacy campaigns, including those centered on social justice and youth issues.
Johnson received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1999, and a law degree and master's degree in business from Stanford University in 2005.
As Johnson takes over, Equality Illinois is celebrating its 25th-anniversary year with a mission to continue its work "Until We're All Equal."
Johnson, of Chicago, will assume his new post June 1. As CEO of Equality Illinois, he will oversee the three entities that make up the organization, each with its own board of directors: Equality Illinois Institute, the 501 ( c )( 3 ) arm that focuses on education of the public, media and policy makers on LGBT issues; Equality Illinois, the 501 ( c )( 4 ) entity that advocates policies; and the Equality Illinois Political Action Committee, which endorses and supports political candidates on the state and local levels.