Tuesday April 28, 2026
Roundtable Discussion with Bernard Cherkasov, the CEO of the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
Bernard Cherkasov is CEO of Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. He is a national nonprofit leader with specializations in children's justice and minority rights.
When he was 13 years old, Bernard and his family fled antisemitism and ethnic violence in his native Azerbaijan and came to the United States as refugees. What shapes his worldview is the courage and conviction of those who took risks to help his family and refugees like them. He believes that education and community engagement are key to inspiring young people and the public at large to take a stand against antisemitism, racism, and all other forms of hate-fueled violence, genocide, and atrocity today.
Bernard served as National COO of Cradles to Crayons, a national organization providing critical essentials to children living in poverty and crisis situations. Under his leadership, the agency launched Cradles to Crayons Chicago. Responsible for multiple markets with hubs in Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia, Bernard oversaw fundraising strategies and public engagement programs to more than double the annual number of children served. By the end of Bernard's tenure, Cradles to Crayons was on track to reach more than 750,000 children every year.
Bernard also served as CEO of Equality Illinois, Midwest's largest civil rights organization advocating for LGBT equality. Bernard led Equality Illinois to pass several pieces of historic legislation, including the marriage equality law, bullying prevention measures, and a ban on so-called conversion therapy that served as a model for legislation nationwide. Under Bernard's tenure, Equality Illinois grew to become the nation’s second-largest state equality organization.
Bernard was honored as a Great Immigrant by The Carnegie Foundation, and he was recognized by NBC as one of the Pride 30, LGBTQ global leaders, alongside the Prime Minister of Ireland.
Bernard is a lawyer by training. He practiced corporate law before joining the nonprofit sector. Bernard earned his J.D. from the University of Michigan and a Master's in Theological Studies from Harvard. He is the proud dad of a teenage daughter.
EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Tuesday April 28, 2026
Time: 5:30-6:30pm
Attendees are invited to arrive to the ILHM&C early to visit the exhibit before our roundtable discussion with Bernard, which will begin at 5:30 PM
Location: Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center
360 N. State St., Chicago, IL 60664
FYI - the Skokie location is currently being renovated and closed until September.
Tickets: COMING SOON