Zahara Bassett is the Founder/CEO of Life Is Work, an Black & Brown trans women-led social services organization located on Chicago’s Westside.  Zahara has served as Director of Development and external relations at Brave Space Alliance.  She spearheaded their Crisis Food pantry and collaborating Trans relief fund initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic months, Which helped raise over a million dollars and brought much-needed resources to marginalized communities across the Chicagoland area.

Zahara received a degree in Broadcast Communications from Illinois Media School; she started her initiatives with Life is Work in 2015 by providing meals for Christmas to homeless transgender Non-binary communities of color on Chicago’s West & Southside.  Zahara, serves nationally on many grassroots Boards of Directors, Adviser Boards, and planning committees.

The Impact Award honors a leader working to improve the lives of women and girls by expanding economic security, ensuring freedom from violence, and / or enhancing access to health services and information.