As the Chicago Defender prepares for its annual Men of Excellence Awards and Induction Ceremony, we had the opportunity to sit down with one of this year’s honorees, Sean Rapelyea, Senior Advisor for External Affairs at the Office of the Governor.
While his professional accolades are commendable, Rapelyea’s impact extends far beyond his title. He takes pride in being a man of faith, a devoted husband, an engaged father, and a committed volunteer—currently serving on the board of Echo Hill Outdoor School in his hometown.
When recognizing Men of Excellence, the Chicago Defender seeks individuals who embody integrity, resilience, leadership, and purpose. Rapelyea exemplifies each of these qualities. We were honored to speak with him about his work, mindset, and the legacy he is building.
Rapelyea joins an esteemed group of honorees, including Derrick Rose, 2026 Chicago Defender Man of the Year; Louis Carr, President of BET Media Group and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient; Trez V. Pugh III, CEO of Sip & Savor and Vanguard Award recipient; and Phillip L. Beckham III, Founder and CEO of Beckham Hospitality Group, also a Vanguard Award recipient.
Together, this year’s class reflects the power and purpose behind the 2026 theme: “Power Moves: Men Who Move the Culture Forward.”
Rapelyea is truly a man who moves culture forward. Learn more about him, his purpose, service, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
What does it mean to you to be recognized as a 2026 Chicago Defender
Men of Excellence honoree?
For me, it’s about showing up every day, putting your head down, and doing the work—no matter what. You bring your best self and keep going. To be honored for that is a tremendous joy. I’m grateful and thankful.
You’re very impactful. What kind of work do you do, and what makes it meaningful?
My work starts with local governments across Illinois. We work with municipalities across the state—whether that’s responding to tornadoes, flooding, or infrastructure issues like water systems.
We’re not first responders, but we’re right in the middle of helping communities meet their needs. Whatever is happening in a city, we’re often involved. At the end of the day, it’s about saving lives—and I love that work.
This year’s theme is ‘Power Moves: Men Who Move the Culture Forward.’ What is a power move you’ve made?
This year has been exciting because I joined the board of an outdoor school in my hometown in Maryland. My daughter is now in school, so I’m also active in her school community and at our church.
When you have time to pour into things outside of work, it allows you to bring your gifts into every space you’re in.That’s where real impact happens.
What impact do you hope your work continues to make for the next generation?
I want my impact to be rooted in service. Whether it’s creating jobs, supporting industries, or helping communities improve infrastructure, I want every opportunity I’m part of to be better than when I found it.
I always approach my work knowing someone else could be in my position—so I want to do more than the minimum. I want to leave a positive mark and bring more people to the table.
How do you center yourself outside of work while balancing family and faith?
That starts with your prayer life. You have to be grounded in something bigger than yourself before you go out into the world. There’s a lot happening around us, and life can be challenging. But faith carries you. When things get hard—and they do—you have to lean on that foundation. That’s what allows me to show up as the husband and father my family needs.
Who empowered you and helped shape you into the man you are today?
It starts with family—my parents, who both had professional careers, spoke leadership and confidence into me early.
As I grew, I became intentional about learning from others—people whose journeys inspired me. I would ask questions, meet them for coffee, and build relationships. Over time, you learn to value those who truly want to see you grow and succeed.
You’re an honoree, and the induction ceremony will be here before you know it. What will it mean to be in a room with so many accomplished men of excellence?
I’m thankful, humbled, and joyful. It’s an honor to be included.
This recognition represents more than just me—it’s my family, my community, everyone who has been part of my journey. To be part of something with such rich history, especially within the Black experience and the legacy of the Defender, is truly special.”
Is there anything you’d like the world to know?
It’s free to be kind. You can go so much further with a kind word or by showing up for someone.
Even when you’re going through something, there’s always an opportunity to give. That mindset keeps you grounded and reminds you that you’re in the right space.
The power in choosing the right person
Sean Rapelyea is more than a leader in the workplace—he is a leader in his home and community. His recognition as a 2026 Chicago Defender Man of Excellence reflects a life rooted in service, faith, and humility.
A true example of what it means to move the culture forward, Rapelyea reminds us that impact is not defined by titles—but by how we serve others.
The post Chicago Defender Men of Excellence 2026 Honors Sean Rapelyea’s Commitment to Service, Faith and Leadership appeared first on Chicago Defender.
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May 6, 2026 at 12:15PM
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