Cousins Empowered Optimists
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of Cousins Empowered Optimists DBA CEO Superheroes is to break the cycle of generational limited thinking and to inspire and support the pursuit of excellence as a lifestyle through skill development. In 2024 we provided quality S.T.E.A.M. and golf instruction leadership and entrepreneurial development strategies family tech events classroom instruction field trips social services and academic reinforcement to 1,572 youth and families throughout Illinois: https: youtu.be 74WgByFpsQY?si=nb2hLQnTCiczjwGvWe created our organization after a conversation with Dr. Mae Jemison mentor to one of our co-founders. During an event at DuSable Museum in her honor Dr. Jemison expressed her desire to see an increase in S.T.E.A.M. skill development strategies for American youth. Our co-founder promised to help create these opportunities and began the launch of Cousins Empowered Optimists known widely as CEO Superheroes. https: youtu.be iLOEO8wbGEk?si=cbwsEapOG7HFo8EK
- Income
- $257,775
- Spending
- $254,565
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 0.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 97%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 75
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 66 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 237% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $114,644 spent. Program expenses included purchase of equipment rental of facilities buses and payment for instruction & the team creating & implementing the Chi Code-Chronicles. Our team of educators provides S.T.E.A.M. skill instruction throughout Illinois. From designing and implementing curriculum for youth in School District 151 to sponsoring family trips to the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry and hosting Family Tech events CEO Superheroes provides quality experiences that are transformative.Were highly successful in bringing out the best in neurodivergent youth and weve normalized their involvement in our instruction. We introduce youth to opportunities in aviation led by 19 year old aircraft pilot Zaire Horton. We teach drone instruction to youth in Chicago Park District and other facilities with licensed drone pilot Derrick Washington who prepares 16 year old youth to secure their drone pilots licenses. Through collaboration with TSC Studios we are launching a televised series called Chi-Code Chronicles which is an educational action-adventure series for the targeted ages of 7-14 aired in 30-minute episodes. Youth throughout Illinois have attended our Family Tech Days where we create a fun environment for youth and their families to learn about and register for instruction in robotics 3D printing virtual augmented reality aviation and more S.T.E.A.M. related opportunities. https: youtu.be 4iH-KzLVe94?si=ffAom7sWfxk7zeDl We implement workshops and school events in conjunction with the Griffin Museum of Science & Industry and we sponsor family trips to the museum. Aurelius Raines a staff member of the museum serves as director of our technology strategies and bridges our collaborations. One of our goals is to help youth develop the skills to create games not just remain consumers of games.
- $60,821 spent. The expenses in this section cover costs of instruction facility rental special program entrance fees equipment and transportation. The projects include our CEO Superheroes Leadership Academy School District 151 S.T.E.A.M. curriculum development and implementation district-wide and our collaborations to combat recidivism and provide support and instruction for incarcerated youth. Our CEO Superheroes Leadership Academy supports youth in developing life skills nutrition self-mastery techniques and entrepreneurship experiences. Participants learn about developing a business mindset financial literacy credit score protection strategies money management basics budgeting critical thinking cryptocurrency business plan development marketing branding and social media management. They also learn conflict resolution techniques healthy decision-making lifemapping communication skill enhancement and purposeful networking. Participants are encouraged to read specific books and engage with authors such as Japanese author Takuan Amaru: https: youtu.be KGM3mmJoNNU?si=RaBi4_I3MM_Fia70. Our collaborations focus on creating and implementing curricula that equip youth with marketable skills fostering hope for a better future. Through our teams efforts we establish pathways for mentorship and skill development aiming to guide youth from juvenile detention to successful reentry into the community. We emphasize conflict resolution critical thinking mentorship and skill-building for future employment opportunities. For 17 years Pastor Michael Robinson and Attorney Chelsea Robinson have volunteered in the juvenile detention community mentoring incarcerated youth through chess strategies in their Pro-Vision program. This initiative aims to empower youth with critical thinking and conflict resolution skills preparing them to become responsible citizens capable of leading successful lives. Our youth are encouraged to strive for excellence adopting a mindset of no excuses and considering failure as not an option.
- $29,800 spent. Having provided year-round golf instruction since 2018 we now have 25 young golfers from the ages of 6-18 who are competing throughout Illinois and around the country. Our golf instruction is provided by LPGA Teaching Professional Erika Birdie Shavers in conjunction with First Tee-Greater Chicago. https: africanamericangolfersdigest.com erika-birdie-shavers-elevating-womens-golf-instruction In addition our youth participate in workshops with LPGA professional Cheyenne Woods The Jackson Park Golf Association Bob-O- Links City of Chicago Park District Clinics Drive Chip & Putt DICOPI and other instructional and competitive experiences. Families have begun golfing together as a lifestyle. We host events that introduce communities to the tremendous social health and confidence building results of participating in golf. The peaceful atmosphere of the golf course provides an opportunity to escape the pollution and pressure of urban life. Conversations and fellowships are inspired leading to friendships beyond cultural divides. The ability to compete successfully empowers youth and their families to explore future business and scholarship opportunities.We introduce them to the educational paths for entering the multi-billion dollar golf industry. Our strategies normalize the world of golf for populations that are not yet represented in the industry. Healthy lifestyle goals are supported through development of golf skills for the entire family. https: youtu.be to1rL2Oph5M?si=yjAju_KDTOtQqAmv
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 2020.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
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