School Of Opulence

School Of Opulence A safe space where black and brown LGBTQIA+ can become the best version of themselves through health and well-being.

A NEW CHAPTER OF LEADERSHIP AT SCHOOL OF OPULENCE ✨The School of Opulence is proud to announce Senite Barih (she/her) as...
08/11/2026

A NEW CHAPTER OF LEADERSHIP AT SCHOOL OF OPULENCE ✨

The School of Opulence is proud to announce Senite Barih (she/her) as our Interim Executive Director, as our Executive Director, Vance White, begins his leave of absence.

We are deeply grateful to Vance for his leadership, vision, and dedication to re-founding the School of Opulence and helping shape the organization into the community-centered space it is today. His commitment to creating affirming spaces, resources, and opportunities for Black and Brown LGBTQ+ communities has been instrumental in building the foundation from which we continue to grow. We wish him rest and restoration during this time. 💜

As we move forward, Senite is no stranger to the School of Opulence. She previously served as our Operations and Communications Manager, helping lead organizational operations, communications, programming, partnerships, and community engagement.

An Eritrean-American LGBTQ+ nonprofit and creative professional with more than seven years of experience across the nonprofit, healthcare, arts and culture, and community sectors, Senite brings a multidisciplinary approach to leadership rooted in creativity, collaboration, organizational growth, and community.

As Interim Executive Director, Senite will guide the School of Opulence through this next chapter, working alongside our staff, Board, partners, and community to ensure continuity while continuing to strengthen our programs, partnerships, and impact.

We are grateful for the leadership that brought us here and excited for the leadership that will carry us forward. 💜✨

Sunday Funday Update 🌦️We were looking forward to spending a warm, sunny day with all of you at Sunday Funday today. Unf...
08/02/2026

Sunday Funday Update 🌦️

We were looking forward to spending a warm, sunny day with all of you at Sunday Funday today. Unfortunately, with how unpredictable the weather has been this weekend, we don’t want to risk our community coming out for what was meant to be a day of fun in the sun, only for it to turn into a day of cold temperatures and rain.

With the comfort and safety of our community in mind, we’ve made the difficult decision to postpone Sunday’s event until further notice.

We’re just as disappointed as you are, but we want Sunday Funday to be everything it was intended to be—a joyful day of music, food, community, and celebration under the sun. We hope to reschedule as soon as the weather cooperates and bring everyone together for the experience you deserve.

Thank you for your understanding, and stay tuned for updates. We can’t wait to celebrate with you soon. 💛🌈

This Wednesday’s Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn was a powerful reminder that financial wellness is community wellness....
07/17/2026

This Wednesday’s Financial Literacy Lunch & Learn was a powerful reminder that financial wellness is community wellness. 💜

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who joined us and to our partners at PNC Bank for sharing practical tools, expert guidance, and meaningful conversations around budgeting, credit, saving, and building long-term financial stability.

At the School of Opulence, we believe empowerment extends beyond healthcare—it also means ensuring our community has access to the knowledge and resources needed to build generational wealth and lasting financial security.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, asked questions, and invested in themselves. This was just the beginning, and we can’t wait to continue bringing impactful Lunch & Learn opportunities to our community.

With intention and opulence,
The School of Opulence

The Opulent Film Club is officially launching, and we’re beginning with a film that has shaped q***r cinema for generati...
07/13/2026

The Opulent Film Club is officially launching, and we’re beginning with a film that has shaped q***r cinema for generations: Pariah.

Join us for an evening of community, conversation, and storytelling as we experience one of the most impactful films centered on Black q***r identity. Whether you’ve seen it before or it’s your first time, this is an opportunity to connect, reflect, and build community together.

🗓 Monday, July 13
🕔 Doors Open: 5:00 PM | Movie Starts: 5:30 PM
📍 1045 W. River St., Chicago, IL 60649
🍿 Light refreshments provided

The Opulent Film Club is a monthly gathering created for TGD and LGBTQ+ community members to explore historically significant q***r films in a welcoming, affirming space.

Bring a friend, meet new people, and let’s celebrate the stories that have paved the way for our community. 🌈💜

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdxOxt3XWGo3KHlC0ZtGW5IMEItWwGBNS-AmP5II_L45R3SUQ/viewform?usp=forms_home&ths=true&usp=embed_facebook

Our Reimagining Re-Entry: Centering Lived Experience Cocktail Hour was a powerful reminder that the people closest to th...
07/13/2026

Our Reimagining Re-Entry: Centering Lived Experience Cocktail Hour was a powerful reminder that the people closest to the challenges are also closest to the solutions. Together, we created a space where lived experience wasn’t just welcomed—it was centered.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared your stories, asked thoughtful questions, and committed to imagining a more equitable future for returning citizens and our communities.

A special thank you to our incredible partners for making this event possible. We are deeply grateful for your collaboration, leadership, and shared commitment to creating pathways of opportunity, dignity, and healing. Together, we’re proving that meaningful change happens when organizations come together with a common purpose.

To our partners at Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS), the Mayor’s Office of Reentry, Saint Leonard’s Ministries, and the LGBTQ Returning Citizens Reentry Alliance—thank you for believing in this vision and helping us bring it to life.

This is only the beginning. We’re excited to continue building spaces that elevate lived experience, foster authentic dialogue, and advance equity for LGBTQ+ returning citizens and our broader community.

With intention and opulence, onward. 💜✨

It has been a remarkable week of celebrating leadership, service, and the power of community.We are incredibly proud to ...
07/06/2026

It has been a remarkable week of celebrating leadership, service, and the power of community.

We are incredibly proud to share that our Executive Director, Vance White, has been recognized with two incredible honors for his commitment to uplifting LGBTQ+ communities across Illinois.

Vance recently received a Congressional Proclamation from Congressman Jonathan Jackson recognizing his advocacy, leadership, and dedication to South Shore, LGBTQ+ reentry, and the transformative work of the School of Opulence. His life’s work was also read on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and entered into the Library of Congress—a truly historic recognition.

In addition, Vance was honored with a Soulee Award during Kankakee Black Pride, recognizing the School of Opulence’s commitment to creating an inclusive, affirming, and welcoming space for LGBTQ+ people in Kankakee. As our work continues to grow throughout the region, this award is a meaningful reminder that building community, fostering belonging, and creating access to resources truly makes a difference.

These recognitions are more than individual achievements—they reflect the collective work of our staff, volunteers, partners, and every community member who has trusted us to walk alongside them. We remain committed to advocating, educating, healing, and creating spaces where Black and LGBTQ+ communities can thrive.

Congratulations, Vance. Thank you for leading with vision, integrity, and unwavering dedication to our mission.

With intention and clarity, forward. 💜

We’re incredibly grateful to have been a part of this year’s Pride ’N Soul Extravaganza in Kankakee! 🌈💜It was an honor f...
06/30/2026

We’re incredibly grateful to have been a part of this year’s Pride ’N Soul Extravaganza in Kankakee! 🌈💜

It was an honor for our Executive Director, Vance, and our Operations & Communications Manager, Senite, to join the community panel and share a conversation on navigating community leadership, q***rness, advocacy, and allyship within the LGBTQ+ community. These conversations are powerful reminders that meaningful change begins with listening, learning, and showing up for one another.

Thank you to the Kankakee Public Library, The Venu and a very special thank you to Celia (G) for including the School of Opulence in such a thoughtful and impactful event. We appreciate the space you created to celebrate, educate, and uplift our community.

We’re excited to continue building connections, fostering dialogue, and creating affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ people across Kankakee and beyond. 🏳️‍🌈✨

TogetherWeRise

06/30/2026

We’re keeping the celebration going! 🎉🏳️‍🌈

After such a successful Pride ‘N Soul event, we’re continuing Kankakee Black Pride Week with Part Two: Nostalgia at the Opulence Drag R***e tomorrow night!

Doors open at 5:00 PM, the show starts at 8:00 PM at The Venu’ Lounge (171 S. Schuyler Ave., Kankakee). Come enjoy incredible performances, community, food, and celebration as we continue honoring Black Pride in Kankakee.

You heard G and Vance… pull up for a good time! ❤️✨

Opulence is for everyone. 🌈👑

***e ***e

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚🏳️‍🌈Today, we honor Juneteenth—the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and serv...
06/19/2026

Happy Juneteenth. ❤️🖤💚🏳️‍🌈

Today, we honor Juneteenth—the day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a powerful reminder that freedom, justice, and equality have always been worth fighting for.

As a Black-led and LGBTQ+-led organization, School of Opulence recognizes that our work exists because of the generations of Black leaders, organizers, advocates, and community members who dared to imagine a future where all people could live with dignity, opportunity, and self-determination.

Juneteenth is more than a celebration of freedom gained; it is a call to continue building the world our ancestors envisioned. A world where Black people are not only surviving, but thriving. A world where LGBTQ+ people are affirmed, protected, and empowered. A world where access to education, mental health support, workforce development, healthcare, and community are not privileges, but rights.

As we celebrate both Juneteenth and Pride Month, we honor the countless Black LGBTQ+ individuals whose contributions have shaped movements for liberation, equity, and justice. Their courage reminds us that our struggles are interconnected, and so is our freedom.

Today, we celebrate. Today, we remember. Today, we recommit ourselves to creating spaces where Black LGBTQ+ people can live authentically, lead boldly, and flourish unapologetically.

Happy Juneteenth from the School of Opulence. May we continue the work of turning freedom into opportunity, healing, and lasting change for generations to come. ✨

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1817 E 71st Street
Chicago, IL
60620

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