Mark Anthony Florido (he/him/his) is proud Chicagoan, Queer, Asian, Filipinx, child of immigrants, and first-generation college student that throws shade, organizes his community, builds power in his community and helps others find their leadership voice. He has spent his professional career in various non-profits, universities, and community-based organizations where his work has focused on educational access, racial justice, immigrant justice, social justice education, and anti-racist work.
As the inaugural Program Associate at One Million Degrees, Mark Anthony worked to increase the academic success of community college scholars across nine partner colleges, providing academic, transfer, and career advising, as well as personalized support, tutoring, and coaching. His work at Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University focused on identity-centered engagement programs in order to increase retention for students of color, low-income students, undocumented and DACAmented immigrant students, first generation college students, and students of marginalized gendered and sexualities. At DePaul, he spearheaded the creation of Generation Success – a national award-winning retention and empowerment program for first generation college students that provided both group and individualized support for low-income first-generation first year college students. In his previous role as Director of Organizing Strategy for Illinois & Northwest Indiana, he worked with educators, students, parents, elected officials, and other key policy-makers across the state to engage in organizing and policy advocacy work with the goal of advancing educational equity within the State of Illinois, particularly around ending the School to Prison Pipeline and closing the urban digital divide.
He strives to incorporate trauma-informed and healing-centered practices as he tries to uplift and empower the voices of those directly impacted by his work. Mark Anthony remains rooted in community work via his role as a Core Leader for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago’s A Just Chi Community Leaders Program. He also serves as a Board Member for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Chicago and Asian Americans Midwest Progressives.
When not engaging his community he enjoys baking, cold brew coffee, and snuggling with his dog, Jujubee.
He holds a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from Boston College and a Masters of Arts in Higher Educations & Student Affairs from New York University.