North Lawndale Community News Article

Chicago Native Makes It Big And Then Gives Back

Written by Megan Sieberg
Nov 29, 2007 at 08:50 AM

Kevin Gates, Microsoft EmployeeFrom the inner city streets of Chicago to the corporate world of Microsoft, Kevin Gates has experienced Chicago inside and out, all the while giving back to the community he loves. Growing up in Albany Park, Gates attended Haugan Elementary and Lincoln Park High school before dropping out his sophomore year. Becoming bored and restless, he joined a non-profit on the North Side called the Williams Youth Service, which is now the School Without Walls on the South Side. According to Gates, the organization gave him an opportunity to get off the streets.

“They allowed me to do filing and stuff like that,” said Gates, “and they gave me an office certificate so it would be something for me to do instead of hanging out in Panera Bread all day by the school.”

The Williams Youth Service also offered Gates enrollment in the Prologue Alternative High School, through which he would be able to receive a real high school diploma instead of a GED.

“It was like a second Chance for me,” said Gates. While attending Prologue, Gates pursued his love of culinary arts by working as a chef at Bertuccie’s Pizzeria. Toward the end of his tenure, however, he developed a passion for Trigonometry, a tool which he believes to be extremely useful in “real life.” It was his Trigonometry teacher who brought to his attention a program called i.c.stars, shedding light on an opportunity that would eventually change his life.

I.c.stars is a non-profit organization that offers programs designed to develop community leaders in the IT field. “They take in inner city kids and they teach them web development and business leadership,” said Gates During an initial interview with Cofounder Leslie Beller, Gates was introduced to the acronym “HTML.” Having never heard of it, he immediately purchased a book on the subject and went back to Prologue for the summer to practice web design. Before completing the application process for i.c.stars, Gates created a website for Prologue, which he was able to submit along with his application.

Out of 300 applicants, Gates was one of 10 accepted into the program He received job training and was able to network with various organizations at industry events around the city, being what he called “a sponge.”

At a fundraiser midway through i.c.stars, Gates spoke on behalf of the program to an audience of corporate executives. Adam Hecktman, a Microsoft employee, was impressed with Gates and indicated that he would be interested having Gates on his team. After graduating form i.c.stars, Gates sent Hecktman an email reciprocating interest.

In order to be hired by Microsoft, Gates had to give a presentation on business to business ecommerce, about which he knew nothing. Once again, he bought a book and did his research before wowing the crowds with another presentation on his newly developed expertise; this time to a group of what would soon be his co-workers.Hired as a technical sales representative, Gates had to quickly become familiar with a variety Microsoft products, a task which he admits was initially challenging. “Everything was way over my head,” said Gates when recalling how difficult it was to play catch up with is co-workers.

Being extremely hard-working and adaptive, Gates was able to learn what he needed to know. Soon after, he was hired to manage the new Microsoft Technology Center in Chicago where he works to this day.

While climbing the corporate ladder, Gates has not lost sight of his past. He has remained passionate about his community, and has committed himself to sharing his knowledge and experience with youth throughout the Chicagoland area. His philanthropic efforts include: hosting seminars with Chicago Public School students on future careers in technology, helping Latino youth develop leadership skills at Mirta Ramirez Computer Science Charter School, acting as a Technical Mentor for Science Minors at the Museum of Science and Industry, and continuing his role with staff and students in the i.c.stars program.

“What Kevin has accomplished professionally, personally and philanthropically in his short number of years is something that seasoned community leaders admire and aspire to,” said Hecktman in a nomination he wrote on behalf of Gates for a BDPA Epsilon Award in Community Service.

Gates went on to win that award in 2007, along with a Charter One Community Impact Award in 2006. He continues to dedicate his time to community service while simultaneously utilizing his hard-earned skills in the work world. Modest in his success, Gates believes he has a responsibility to utilize was he has acquired.

As quoted by Hecktman in the nomination letter, Kevin summed up his mindset saying, “with the success I’ve had, I am obligated to share my knowledge and experience, and encourage others to reach their goal.”

Megan Sieberg is a recent graduate of Northwestern University. She has a degree in Communication Studies and is currently the Communications Manager at the North Lawndale Community News.
Last Updated ( Nov 30, 2007 at 09:23 AM )