About Us
Made Different Initiative - Empowering Chicago youth since day one.
Who We Are
The MADE Different Initiative (MDI) is a Chicago-based nonprofit organization founded with a simple but powerful belief: everybody deserves an opportunity to dream, grow and lead. We are committed to empowering individuals, strengthening families and building healthier communities. We believe everyone deserves access to the resources, relationships and opportunities needed to thrive—regardless of age, background, or circumstances.
Rooted on Chicago's South Side, we serve youth, adults, families, and seniors through a holistic, wraparound approach that addresses personal growth, professional development, health and wellness, and community connection. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are while helping them build the confidence, skills, and support systems needed for long-term success.
Through mentorship, leadership development, educational workshops, career readiness, wellness initiatives, community events, violence prevention efforts, and resource navigation, we create spaces where individuals can learn, grow, and lead. We believe that lasting change happens when communities have consistent access to opportunity, encouragement, and meaningful relationships.
Our team is made up of passionate volunteers, professionals, and community leaders who are dedicated to creating positive change. Together, we are building stronger neighborhoods by investing in people, fostering hope, and inspiring the next generation of leaders while supporting every generation along the way.
What We Do
Through programs like House Talk, we connect youth with mentors who guide, listen, and help them navigate life's challenges.
Safe Saturday Series brings families together for fun, safe activities including games, arts & crafts, and wellness programming.
MADE in the Community provides tangible support through coat drives, toy giveaways, prom dress events, and homeless outreach.
Made Different Initiative looks to unite our communities through inclusive programs that strengthen connection, support youth development and inspire growth for all.
We envision a thriving community where young people are supported, families are connected, and every individual has the opportunity to grow, contribute and feel a true sense of belonging.
Leadership Team
Meet the people driving the mission forward.
Mike Hill
Co-Founder / CEO
Mike Hill grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where he experienced firsthand the strength of a community that cared for one another. Surrounded by neighbors, mentors, and local leaders who extended love, encouragement, and support regardless of a person's circumstances, Mike learned early that real change begins with people who are willing to invest in others. Those experiences instilled in him a lifelong passion for service and a belief that every individual deserves the opportunity to succeed.
That passion became deeply personal after Mike experienced the heartbreaking loss of two close friends to suicide. Their passing opened his eyes to the importance of mental wellness, meaningful connection, and creating safe spaces where people feel seen, heard, and supported. Those experiences strengthened his commitment to helping others and inspired him to dedicate his life to empowering individuals before they reach a crisis.
Inspired by the community that helped shape him and driven by a desire to create lasting change, Mike co-founded Made Different Initiative to provide mentorship, leadership development, community engagement, and holistic wraparound support for individuals and families. He believes that lasting impact comes from addressing the whole person—equipping people with the relationships, resources, and opportunities they need to thrive while fostering a culture of service, resilience, and leadership.
Professionally, Mike is a Civil Engineer who brings strategic thinking, problem-solving, and a passion for building strong foundations into both his career and his community work. He is also a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where the fraternity's principles of leadership, scholarship, fellowship, and service continue to influence his commitment to uplifting others.
Today, Mike serves as Co-Founder of Made Different Initiative, where he leads the organization's programming, community initiatives, and strategic vision. Through initiatives such as House Talk, Safe Saturdays, MADE With Love, and Made in the Community, he is committed to creating opportunities that inspire growth, strengthen communities, and empower the next generation of leaders.
Because to Mike, being “Made Different” isn't about being better than someone else—it's about choosing compassion over judgment, service over self, and hope over hardship. It's about believing that no matter where someone comes from or what they've been through, their story is still being written, and with the right support, they have the power to change not only their own life, but their community as well.
Trevon Bosley
Co-Founder / COO
Trevon (“Tre”) Bosley grew up on the South Side of Chicago, where he witnessed and experienced the devastating effects of gun violence and poverty firsthand. After the tragic loss of his cousin, Vincent Avant, who was shot and killed just down the street from his home, and his older brother, Terrell Bosley, who was shot and killed at church, Tre dedicated his life to violence prevention, youth empowerment, and community advocacy.
In 2011, Tre co-founded B.R.A.V.E. (Bold Resistance Against Violence Everywhere) Youth Leaders at St. Sabina, working to create peace throughout Chicago's South Side through youth mentorship, tutoring, large-scale peace marches involving more than 1,000 young people, community job fairs, voter registration initiatives, and grassroots advocacy—including helping organize the historic shutdown of the Dan Ryan Expressway to demand an end to gun violence.
Building on more than a decade of community organizing and youth leadership, Tre co-founded Made Different Initiative to expand his impact by addressing the root causes of violence and inequity through mentorship, leadership development, community engagement, and holistic wraparound support. He believes that lasting change begins by investing in people, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities that empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Through his leadership and advocacy, Tre has had the opportunity to speak with President Barack Obama on CNN, speak at the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris, and introduce President Joe Biden during the anniversary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, among many other national and local engagements.
Today, Tre is an Electrical Engineer, Co-Founder of Made Different Initiative, Board Co-Chair of March For Our Lives, a Giffords Courage Fellow alumnus, Co-Founder of B.R.A.V.E. Youth Leaders, and a Community Organizer with Community Justice Action Fund. He remains committed to building safer, stronger communities and inspiring the next generation of leaders to create meaningful and lasting change.
Marshall Walker
Board Member
Marshall Walker is a dedicated attorney and community advocate committed to advancing justice, expanding opportunity, and strengthening communities through service and leadership. Guided by integrity and a passion for empowering others, Marshall believes lasting change is built through meaningful relationships, strategic collaboration, and a commitment to serving the community.
A graduate of Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he earned Dean's List honors and served in leadership roles, Marshall brings legal expertise, strategic thinking, and a deep commitment to public service. As Director of Civic Engagement for SMART Sports, Inc., he leverages his legal background and strong community relationships to build strategic partnerships, expand educational opportunities for underserved youth, and promote civic engagement throughout Chicago.
As a member of the Made Different Initiative Board of Directors, Marshall provides legal insight and strategic guidance to help strengthen the organization's governance, partnerships, and long-term impact. His passion for youth empowerment, education, and community engagement aligns closely with MDI's mission of developing leaders, providing holistic wraparound support, and creating opportunities for individuals and families to thrive. Marshall is honored to help advance a vision of safer, stronger, and more connected communities where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.