C. Vincent Bakeman

Dr. C. Vincent Bakeman was born on June 23, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. He was the Chief Executive Officer and President of Human Resources Development Institute, Inc. (HRDI), a multi-services non-profit, non-governmental health and human services agency that serves substance abusers and the mentally ill on Chicago's south side.

He received a bachelor's degree from Kentucky State University and a Master's Degree from Chicago State University. In 1979, Bakeman earned both a Master's Degree and a Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University.

Since 1982, Bakeman's leadership saw HRDI grow from an agency with three state-funded programs to one of Chicago's largest and most influential non-profit organizations. He was also the Deputy President of the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions.

He served on numerous boards and councils in the United States and abroad, including: the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention National Advisory Council; the Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; Governor's Advisory Council on Developmental disabilities; Illinois Advisory Council on Alcohol and Other Drug Addictions; the National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council; the Illinois Child Welfare Advisory Council; the Illinois Department of the Mental Health Advisory Council; the International Council on Alcohol and Addictions, West, East and Southern Africa and the United Nations Drug Control Program, West and East Africa.

He also served as President of the Illinois Alcohol and Drug Dependency Association and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the South Side Health Consortium.

Bakeman passed away on February 15, 2004 at the age of 70.