Tim King, president and CEO of the nonprofit Urban Prep Academies, has a lot to smile about. Since starting the country’s only all-male, African-American charter school in 2002, he has grown the institution to encompass three campuses and 1,500 students — many of whom come from low-income families — and a 100 percent college admission rate, the highest of any public school in Chicago. Aces UP!, his 6th annual poker tournament, raised more than $100,000 so that the organization can continue to provide support for the schools and students. The sold-out tournament attracted more than 250 guests to City Winery (1200 W. Randolph), including co-hosts Alexi Giannoulias, Chris Zorich and the Sun-Times’ own Richard Roeper. Other attendees included Roe Conn, Ryan Chiaverini, Cheryl Scott, Susan Carlson and Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely. Story by Katerina Bizios | Photos by Ramzi Dreessen

Tim King, president and CEO of the nonprofit Urban Prep Academies, has a lot to smile about. Since starting the country’s only all-male, African-American charter school in 2002, he has grown the institution to encompass three campuses and 1,500 students — many of whom come from low-income families — and a 100 percent college admission rate, the highest of any public school in Chicago. Aces UP!, his 6th annual poker tournament, raised more than $100,000 so that the organization can continue to provide support for the schools and students. The sold-out tournament attracted more than 250 guests to City Winery (1200 W. Randolph), including co-hosts Alexi Giannoulias, Chris Zorich and the Sun-Times’ own Richard Roeper. Other attendees included Roe Conn, Ryan Chiaverini, Cheryl Scott, Susan Carlson and Chicago Treasurer Stephanie Neely.

Story by Katerina Bizios | Photos by Ramzi Dreessen