Atalissa Dean

Book Access Manager, Open Books

With over 15 years of experience in direct service, Atalissa is committed to creating affirming environments that encourage growth. As the book access manager at Open Books, she is responsible for the equitable distribution of 100,000+ high interest books to educators and young readers across Chicago prioritizing communities on the West and Southwest sides. Additionally, Atalissa is the DEAI committee co-lead where she has worked to refocus the efforts of DEAI on protections and resources for people with disabilities. Since joining the DEAI committee Atalissa has shifted the organization’s efforts to a bottom up rather than top down strategy, creating alternative pathways for staff advocacy.

Currently pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Northeastern Illinois University, Atalissa’s dedication to supporting young people on their journey to self empowerment, is inextricable from her commitment to building culturally responsive practices through empathy, introspection, and shared storytelling. Atalissa holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and a Concentration in Creative Writing Poetry. Since returning to school she’s become a member of Chi Sigma Iota, Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society.