CHICAGO (WLS) -- Equality Illinois was founded in 1991 as the Illinois Federation for Human Rights.

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The mission was to ensure the basic civil rights of LGBTQ+ people across the state.

This month, a new CEO is taking the helm of the organization, and she's making history.

Channyn Lynne Parker is the first Black, transgender woman to lead Equality Illinois.

Most recently, she's served as CEO of Brave Space Alliance. Her career's also taken her to the University of Chicago and Howard Brown Health among other stops.

Parker says the summation of all her work and experience "brought me to where I'm at."

The guiding principle throughout her career, "that everyone wants a good life. Everyone deserves to be seen and heard and valued.

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