CHICAGO, April 1, 2025 — For more than 100 years, the American Heart Association has committed to advancing health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Through Heart of Chicago’s Heart Ball campaign, Monica B. Moss and Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III will lead community-wide efforts to help ensure every individual in Chicago has the opportunity for a full, healthy life. The Heart Ball celebrates hope and progress made through the dedication and passion of all who support the American Heart Association’s efforts to make an impact on the health of the community. These efforts include the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery, public policy change, equitable health for the underresourced and underrepresented, and education to equip the community to take control of their health.

“Monica and Otis demonstrate outstanding leadership and dedication as leaders in their church, advocates for health in their community, and longtime American Heart Association supporters. The Mosses’ passion and commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission, deep understanding of community needs, and unwavering drive to make a difference positions them as the perfect choice to co-chair this event,” says Brittany Walsh, executive director of the American Heart Association, Chicago. “We welcome Monica and Otis to the Heart of Chicago, an initiative that centers around better health for every individual by focusing on critical issues and work to equitably improve and save lives.”

Monica B. Moss and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III have dedicated their lives to advancing the spiritual, physical, and emotional well-being of communities across Chicago’s South Side. Monica, a long-time advocate for health equity, serves as a member of the Metro Chicago Board of the American Heart Association and is a former Chair of the Board of Directors for the Greater Chicago Food Depository. At Trinity United Church of Christ—where her husband, Rev. Dr. Moss, is Senior Pastor—Monica has been instrumental in spearheading initiatives focused on nutrition, hypertension management, CPR training, and community-centered food access through projects like the Sankofa Food Market. Rev. Dr. Moss is nationally known for his prophetic preaching, blending African American history and spirituality with a call for justice and healing. A celebrated theologian and orator, he was named one of the 12 most effective preachers in the English language by Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. Together, they have built a powerful ministry grounded in both faith and public health, partnering with the American Heart Association for nearly two decades to improve health outcomes, particularly for Black and Brown communities in Chicago.

“We are honored to serve as the 2025 Chicago Heart Ball Co-Chairs,” said Monica B. and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III. “For us, chairing this year’s Heart Ball is deeply personal. We’ve seen firsthand how health inequities have devastated Black and Brown communities across Chicago’s South and West sides, where zip codes too often predict life expectancy. Partnering with the American Heart Association for nearly 20 years has given us the opportunity to fight back—to open doors to healthy food, life-saving CPR training, and blood pressure education.

But it’s also personal. Monica’s brother Casey passed away as an infant from a congenital heart defect when the technology to save him didn’t exist. Today, children like Casey survive because of advances the AHA has helped fund. And Otis’s mother, now 90 and thriving while living with a heart condition, is a testament to the power of research and innovation.

Chairing this event is a way for us to give back, to say ‘thank you’ to the organization that’s been a part of both our personal journey and our ministry’s mission to build healthier, stronger communities. Tonight, we ask everyone to stand with us—whether by giving generously or becoming an advocate for health equity—to help ensure every family has the opportunity to live a full, healthy life.”

The 2025 Chicago Heart Ball’s leading sponsors include: Joan & Paul Rubschlager, Veradigm, Ann & Robert H Luries Childrens Hospital of Chicago, Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL, Endeavor Health, and Medecision. The Heart Ball will be held on Friday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. at the Navy Pier Aon Grand Ballroom. The annual event is a night to celebrate the Association’s year-round efforts to break down barriers to health in Chicago. Throughout the evening, the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health, will honor volunteers and patrons, feature stories of survivors, and entertain guests with dinner, dancing and an exciting auction. For more information on how to support or attend the Chicago Heart Ball, visit www.heart.org/chicagoheartball or contact John Arnao, vice president of development: john.arnao@heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:
Rachel Klousnitzer: Rachel.klousnitzer@heart.org
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org