UIC economic justice researcher named Freedom Scholar

University of Illinois Chicago professor Stacey Sutton has been named a 2025 Freedom Scholar by the Marguerite Casey Foundation in recognition of her work in economic democracy and community engagement.

On Sept. 17, the foundation announced that Sutton, an associate professor of urban planning and policy in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, is one of four standout scholars honored this year. Each will receive $250,000 for their impactful research and dedication to advancing racial and economic justice.

Sutton's research, teaching and community involvement focus on two areas. First, she explores how grassroots organizationsand city governments create enabling environments for economic democracy by advancing cooperative ownership of enterprisesand community control of neighborhood resources. This work encompasses promoting fair economic systems and a voice for everyday people in decisions that affect their communities.

Second, she critically examines how specific"universal" city policies and institutional practicescan deepen inequity by punishing or excluding people based on race, gender or where they live.

"As a community-engaged scholar, racial and economic justice researcher and social movement practitioner, being awarded a 2025 Marguerite Casey Foundation Freedom Scholar award is perhaps the greatest honor and recognition of my scholarly contributions and commitment to radical democracy, solidarity economies and social justice," said Sutton, who came to UIC from Columbia University in 2015.  

Sutton is the founding director of the Solidarity Economy Research, Policy & Law Project, based in UIC's Center for Urban Economic Development. The project aims to advance solidarity economy research and policy, and support community networks with cooperative ownership and building solidarity economies, which are alternative economic systems prioritizing social well-being, equity, sustainability and shared decision-making.

In partnership with community organizations, the project offers technical training and public education to help people understand and participate in these alternative systems.

Sutton's new body of research is the basis for her book project, "Building Real Black Utopias." Across multiple U.S. cities, the project explores infrastructures, ideologies and practices of Black-centered community-driven networks that prioritize solidarity economy practices, such as community stewardship, worker ownership, shared decision-making, mutual aid and economic justice.

From 2023 to 2025, Sutton helped launch and lead the Chicago Community Wealth Building Ecosystem hub,which was responsible for research and coordination for the City of Chicago's Community Wealth Building Initiative, a $15 million investment in emerging cooperative enterprises-worker cooperatives, community land trusts, community investment vehicles, limited equity housing cooperatives. The initiative is designed to give residents more control over their economic futures and strengthen communities from the ground up.

Sutton is the fourth UIC scholar to be recognized with the Freedom Scholar honor since its inception in 2020. Other UIC-based recipients have been professors Barbara Ransbyin 2020, Beth Richiein 2022 and Nadine Naberin 2024. 

She received the 2021 Edward Blakely Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning for her commitment to scholar activism. She was a Kendeda Fellow at the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership at Rutgers University.

Contact

Brian Flood 312-996-7681 [email protected] twitter.com/bflooduic