Changing The Narrative and His Community: Markayle Tolliver

At a young age Markayle Tolliver is pushing to change the narrative about his community. For him, that change is rooted in actions – and he wants to be part of the change. 

In his role as a project manager for the Chicago Treasurer’s Office, Markayle works to increase community participation and engagement of Chicagoans, especially West and Southsiders, he said. He coordinates virtual and in-person events citywide, establishing relationships with neighbors and organizations, identifying speakers and informing neighbors about the work of the city’s Treasurer’s Office. 

“I love helping to bring to the table people that I know, personally and professionally, that will help amplify what we're doing at the Treasurer's Office, as well as connecting to the next generation,” he said. 

Markayle’s journey started with a dream of being a Black news anchor sharing the stories of South and Westsiders – untold stories of communities where so much happens beyond the negative headlines and stereotypes traditionally represented by legacy media. 

As he realized early in his childhood, the disparities in the Westside are stark. Neighbors face negative health outcomes, see a large presence of open-air drug markets, experience higher rates of gun and gang violence and have less access to food and other services compared to other Chicago neighborhoods.

Originally from North Lawndale, Markayle and his family moved to the West Loop when he was in fourth grade. The thriving neighborhood offered different opportunities and a better quality of life than he was used to. 

“It was eye-opening,” he said. “I saw and understood there are systemic roadblocks for Black and Latino people.” 

So, he sought to tell their stories and the stories of marginalized groups. At Holy Trinity High School, which he was able to attend thanks to a scholarship program, he had gained experience in the high school newspaper. After graduating, he pursued a degree in journalism with a minor in African American Studies at Western Illinois University.

Markayle’s goal was to become a grassroot community reporter, sharing news of neighbors, organizations and events in Black neighborhoods. 

“I really wanted to leverage being from the Westside. Let's talk about the Westside. Let's really show the positive story,” he said. 

Halfway through college, the COVID-19 pandemic changed his plans. With limited internship and job opportunities at broadcast media outlets, Markayle pivoted to his second passion: politics.

“If not telling the story, I would be helping to change laws,” he said. 

He found a job at World Business Chicago, the city’s private-public economic development agency, where he supported projects under the city program Invest South/West. 

The city’s program aimed to revitalize South and Westside neighborhoods, with World Business Chicago as a partner. Markayle worked coordinating projects, organizing events and supporting marketing and outreach efforts to amplify what was happening on the South and West Side, he said. 

Thanks to the city initiative, Markayle was able to be part of two projects that exemplify the type of change that can happen in his community. Two restaurants – Soulé and The Soul Food Lounge – opened in North Lawndale, bringing much-needed sit down dining options to the Westside neighborhood. 

Beside providing quality food and service, the restaurants offer a community space for neighbors and families while strengthening the local economy. 

“It helps with the trajectory and the narrative of the Westside,” Markayle said. 

Increasing neighbors’ participation in their local government is as important as increasing representation in government. 

Working at the Treasurer’s Office sets an example that anyone can pursue a career in that field, he said. It also improves the city agency’s ability to serve neighbors by understanding their needs and lived experience. 

“It's always that for me, seeing yourself being represented and secondly, bringing those action resources to the people,” Markayle said. 

His passion for increased representation extends beyond his job. He was recently elected as the vice president of the Chicago chapter of the Black Professionals Network. In this role, he strives to bring more young Black professionals together for networking and development opportunities that can help them grow their careers and collaborate with other Black professionals. 

At age 25, Markayle has also served as a mentor for young people by volunteering in the program Project OneTen. The Chicago nonprofit connects Black and Latino high school freshman students with mentors. Studies show this is a critical time for student success – a student who completes their 9th grade year on time with a 3.0+ GPA is 3.5 times more likely to graduate high school in four years and live a choice-filled life, according to research by the University of Chicago. 

“It’s giving them space to grow, to fall down and get back up,” he said. 

While Markayle is in the early stages of his career, his ambitions are big. He plans to continue working in local government, organizing communities, bringing people together and continuing to bring resources to the South and West Sides of the city. 

While working in government, his mission is clear: Changing policies, creating programs and providing services that close the gaps between neighborhoods and increasing opportunities for all Chicagoans.