Mr. Charles (Chuck) Bowen served as the link that connected the African American Communities to the City of Chicago through the Daley Administration. Before his retirement in December 2004, Mr. Bowen served as the Executive Assistant and Senior Cabinet Member to Mayor Richard M. Daley. As the Liaison for the Religious Leadership in the Metropolitan Area, he worked specifically with ministers to connect them with city government.
Born in Atlanta, Mr. Bowen moved to Chicago with his family at age 6. His political career began when he joined an organization called the Young Democrats. His people skills prepared him for 23 years in the private sector at Importers Somerset, one of the leading producers of beverages. He also worked as a liaison for the NAACP and the Urban League, served a 4-year term as Deputy Clerk of the Cook County Board of Commissioners, was elected to a 4-year term on the Cook County Board and during his tenure there, developed the first 30’s set-aside affirmative action program, which for the first time included women and minority participation in all county contracts.
Mr. Bowen and his wife of over 50 years, Verna, live in the Bronzeville area of Chicago where he is a passionate collector of African and African-American art, a member of the Coalition of Religious Leaders of Illinois, the Concerned Clergy For A Better Chicago, Civic Leaders of the Chicagoland Area, and founding member of the National African American Military Museum.
