Fellows Visit the Obama Foundation

In November, the Fellows explored the disciplines of community building and community organizing.  Obama Foundation Vice President, Elisabeth Siciliano hosted the group and invited Executive Vice President Michael Strautmanis for the Leaders in Action conversation moderated by Aisha Oliver CLF '23

November 4, 2022

During the October session, the Class of '23 visited Thresholds for a full day of learning and exploration on the topic of mental health and community wellness. Thresholds CEO Mark Ishaug and Chief of Community Engagement and Equity Dee Atkins were gracious hosts. 

October 14, 2022

The first class session of the inaugural cohort took place at the Boys & Girls Club in East Garfield Park. The topic of the day was recognizing leadership within each fellow. Special Guest, Robert Lewis Jr CEO of Boys & Girls Club of Boston offered words of wisdom to kick off the year long journey.

September 9, 2022

Executive Director of West Side United, Ayesha Jaco served as the Keynote Speaker during the Welcome Ceremony of the inaugural CLF class.

July 28, 2022

Join us in welcoming the inaugural cohort of Community Leadership Fellows! The Class of 2023 will be the first to join the leadership development experience designed to uplift Black and Brown voices of Chicago by those who live, work, and lead on the Westside. We are excited to welcome the 18 promising community leaders who will begin a journey of self-discovery, collaboration, and transformation.
CLF’s leadership incubator provides access to a space where fellows will gain the knowledge, develop valuable relationships, skills, and tools they need to lead the revitalization of sustainable, vibrant communities on the Westside. Experience highlights include educational workshops, site visits, personalized leadership coaching, mentoring and networking.
Community Leadership Fellows is not a program, it is a set of principles in which we identify and amplify untapped talent to diversify leadership structures with the inclusion of those who prioritize lived experiences.

Introducing the 2023 Community Leadership Fellows:

Elianne Bahena 

Director of Policy & Community Outreach | 22nd Ward Public Service Office 

LaCreshia Birts 

Coordinator | Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability (GAPA) 

Jamil Brown 

Officer | Chicago Police Department 

Patricia Carrillo 

Block Club President | 1000 & 1100 N. Monticello 

Alees Edwards 

Block Club President | 1000 & 1100 N. Harding 

Lee Ann Eiland 

Director of Strategic Funding | Hope Excel Reaching the World Academy 

Diana Franco 

Administrative Coordinator I New Life Centers 

Crystal E. Gardner 

Organizer | AFSCME Council 31 

Jaleesa Harris 

Resident Physician | Stroger Hospital 

Jackie Hoffman 

Founder | Peace Runners 773 

DeAngelo Johnson 

Sports & Fitness Center Associate Director | Breakthrough 

Roberta Logwood 

Independent Contractor 

Aisha Oliver 

Director/Truth Teller | Root2Fruit Youth Foundation 

Mercedes Pickett 

Founder, CEO & System Architect | Earth's Remedies 

Alex Ramon 

Operations Coordinator | New Life Centers 

Lady Sanders 

Youth & Parent Engagement Manager | My Block, My Hood, My City 

Edward Whitaker. Jr 

Officer | Chicago Police Department 

Arewa Winters 

Founder | The 411 Movement for Pierre Loury