“It is clear to awaken people all over the world that if we fail to deal with this environmental issue our future as a species is very limited,” said Terry Bergdall.

The Institute of Cultural Affairs of Chicago, in Uptown, contributes not only building space to help people within the community but is also beginning something that will unite all 77 communities of Chicago, according to Terry Bergdall, the Institute’s CEO.

Bergdall not only leads the largest nonprofit organization in the Midwest but also has been with the company since 1969. He started off as an intern because he felt very passionate about sustainability.

Outside of the Institute of Cultural Affairs building, the Uptown mural is largely displayed in the parking lot. Photo by Tabitha Hurley

Bergdall listed three important things that people should know about the Institute:

• The Institute has been around for 50 years beginning with the Civil Rights Movement; which embodied the Institutes concern for social justice.

• The Institute “has always addressed human issues from a cultural perspective that enables people to see the significance of their situation and build practical plans of action or responsible plan of action.”

• The Institute’s plan of action has always been to “think globally, and act locally.” Bergdall said this was “true in how we manage and work with this building.”

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