Opportunity

Chicago is a city defined by resilience—but also by deep and persistent inequities. At a pivotal moment for the city’s future, The Chicago Community Trust brought together an unprecedented coalition of civic, business, philanthropic, nonprofit, and community leaders to pursue a more equitable path forward.

The ambition was clear: not just to respond to immediate needs, but to reimagine what a stronger, more inclusive Chicago could become. To do that, they needed a unifying idea—one that could inspire action, align partners, and invite every Chicagoan to be part of the solution.

Insight:

Chicago’s strength has always been its people—and the belief that progress happens when we move forward together. Early efforts showed that when individuals could see their role in something bigger, participation followed.

The opportunity was to transform that spirit into a shared commitment: a sense that the city’s future isn’t separate or individual, but collective.

We take the trust in our name to heart. Woman in a field holding wheat.

Solution

Yes& created We Rise Together—a name and platform grounded in unity, possibility, and shared responsibility.

Developed in just six weeks, the initiative included naming, messaging, a visual identity, and a suite of tools designed to bring partners together around a common story.

The narrative emphasized connection and momentum—reinforcing that Chicago’s future is one we build together, and that the capacity for change already exists within the community.