Class of 2025 Welcome Ceremony

Cristy Calderon is the daughter of immigrant parents from Durango, Mexico. She has been a   resident of the 22nd ward for her whole life. Cristy is the first person to graduate college in her family and obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Communications in 2021. Previously, she was an educator at a small language school and developed a passion for different languages and cultures. Cristy has a background in non-profit where she learned about economic development   and assisted small businesses in obtaining entrepreneurship courses and whatever resources they needed. Cristy's other passions include fashion, Chicago, and attending concerts.    

Apriel Campbell is a distinguished leader in civic and community engagement, having served as the first African American Assistant Director of Civic Engagement at the School of the Art Institute. With over 25 years in the North Lawndale community, she is deeply committed to social justice, social equity, and   community empowerment.
 

With more than 12 years of experience in compliance, project management, consulting, and mentoring, Apriel's service-oriented leadership approach fosters dynamic collaboration and innovative solutions. Her passion for serving others drives her active engagement in community initiatives.
 

As a first-generation descendant of immigrants and a serial entrepreneur, Apriel founded Ivy Care LLC in 2019, a self-care beauty and wellness brand that promotes transformative well-being. She is also a lead collaborator and administrator on the Community Calendar, a digital tool that connects North Lawndale residents to local events, enhancing community engagement.
 

Apriel holds a Bachelor's degree in Integrative Biology and Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a certificate in Gender & Women's Studies. She is a proud member of the national Posse Foundation alumni network and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated.
 

 In addition to her role at the School of the Art Institute, Apriel has served as an ex-facto redistricting commissioner and held a managerial position with an Illinois State Senator. Actively involved in the North Lawndale Community Coordinating Council, she participates in various advisory councils and steering committees across Chicago's west and south sides, centering on overlooked populations.
 

As a leader and trailblazer, Apriel drives positive change and inspires those around her through her unwavering dedication to civic engagement, empowerment, and community development.

Initiating Change for Self Consultancy (ICFS) was founded in April of 2022 by Johnny J. Daniels   IV. Born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, at 28 years old, Johnny gained insight and a unique perspective of life after witnessing various arrests and deaths of childhood friends and close family members. 

Johnny   attended Foreman High school on Chicago's Northwest side and earned a football scholarship to Purdue University, where he graduated with a Liberal Arts Degree. He continued his education by receiving a Masters in Forensic Psychology from Walden University. After receiving his Masters, Johnny worked at Hulse Detention Center, in Vernon Hills, IL for nearly 3 years. 

Utilizing his educational and work experiences Johnny would follow his calling and join Children's Home and Aid's, Choose 2 Change (C2C) therapy group having the opportunity to speak directly to youth in Chicago Public Schools and probationary groups. Johnny was inspired and motivated by the positive impact and growth of the youth during this time which led him into his calling of consultancy.    

Patrick Bill Daniels was raised in the North Lawndale community. He currently reside in the East Garfield community.
 

In 2015, Patrick started the Bill & Margie Daniels Foundation to address food insecurities and provide affordable housing to single mothers.
 

 In 2022, Patrick started the Alfonso Summer Group, LLC. He has provided leadership trainings, program development, and organizational structure to for profit and nonprofit organizations.
 

Patrick was instrumental in launching the anti violence project READI Chicago and Light in the Night. He also served as the director for the North Central Region managing the Healthy Chicago Equity Zone project.
 

Patrick holds a master degree from University of Illinois at Chicago and served as the president of the We are Men project at UIC. During his time as president, there was an increase of African American male enrollment for the MSW program at Jane Addams School of Social Work.
 

Patrick is the Senior Consultant and a founding member our RAO 25. He is currently the vice president of the board for the Friendship Center.
 

Patrick enjoys cycling, reading, and spending time with his family.
 

Cyndi DeLira-Rendon is a multifaceted leader with over a decade of experience across various industries, renowned for her self-driven approach and resourceful mindset. Throughout her professional career, she has fostered skills in advocacy, ethics, and commitment to change, consistently delivering results through perseverance and resilience, both professionally and   civically. 

Pivoting into the tech industry in 2021, Cyndi began her journey working for a legal software company. This transition marked the beginning of a profound career shift, entering an industry where she was distinctly underrepresented. Recognizing the need for change, Cyndi became passionately involved in efforts to disrupt the status quo and create a more inclusive tech environment. At Code Your Dreams, Cyndi has made significant contributions, most notably, being appointed as Head of Impact, serving as a mentor for the Women Building Change program in Burundi, volunteering at the Boys & Girls Club in East Garfield Park, helping host one of the largest   Accessibility Hackathons with Deaf Kids Code at Google Chicago, and executing on overall impact strategies for the organization. 

Cyndi is also a visionary CoFounder of CoderHeroes where she is dedicated to cultivating a new generation of bilingual tech innovators. Her leadership and commitment to impact drive the organization's mission to provide accessible, high-quality tech education to under-resourced communities in a dual language setting. 

Additionally, Cyndi  has actively participated in numerous events across the country, volunteering   her time and expertise to promote tech education, community engagement, and actively serves on multiple local and national nonprofit boards. She has been honored to be awarded the 2024 Mujer Maravilla Award from HACE (Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement) and the 2024 Advocacy Achievement Award from Latinas in Tech as a Chicago Chapter Leader.    

Vianey Dominguez is the proud daughter of immigrant parents from Veracruz, Mexico, and she is the eldest child of four. She grew up in Little Village and attended the University of Illinois at Chicago, where she graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Public Policy and Political Science.

Before joining the 22nd Ward Office, Vianey worked in hospitality and customer service and was a previous intern for Alderman Michael Rodriguez. In addition, Vianey serves as a co-chair for the Young Women's Giving Council at the Chicago Foundation for Women. Some of Vianey's hobbies included dancing, working out, walking her dog Mila, reading, and watching kdramas/documentaries.    

Shantel N. Franklin serves as a Legislative Liaison at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General, where she passionately advocates for equitable policies that benefit the community. In addition to her role in legislative affairs, Shantel is a licensed realtor specializing in Chicago's West Side, dedicated to uplifting under-resourced communities.
 

Proudly rooted in the Austin neighborhood, Shantel's commitment to its growth and prosperity is evident through her active involvement as a landlady and block club president. Her multifaceted roles showcase her dedication to enhancing the quality of life for residents and driving positive change in her community.    

Joseph Green is a Chicago Native born and raised on the Westside of Chicago. In 2015 he accomplished graduating from i.c.stars; a robust training program designed to develop leaders and teach technology to young adults in under-resourced communities. In 2018 feeling impartial with the opportunities obtained in the technology field, Joseph accepted the position of Reentry   Coordinator at Westside Health Authority for the Community Support Advisory Council (CSAC West). Where he partnered with the Illinois Department of Corrections, Joseph would conduct prerelease forums at Sheridan Corrections to discuss, reentry back into society, family reunification, employment, housing, and development of a growth mindset to not recidivate. Upon their return to society, Joseph would aid them in obtaining identification, resources, and employment opportunities etc. This allowed for relationship building and creating a connection for men and women returning home to contact WHA for reentry services. During this time, he found his purpose and that purpose was to motivate and empower others and give back by any   means.
 

Joseph was promoted to Director of Workforce and Job development in 2022 at Westside Health Authority. He currently holds this title and is the Supervisor of the Corridor Ambassador program of Austin and Garfield Park areas and oversees the Special Services Areas (SSA) for both Austin and Garfield Park. Joseph is extremely passionate and enthusiastic about empowering people within his community as well as innovating social change.   
 

Within the last six years Joseph has participated in countless community events, while actively working on and participating on committees. These proceedings centered around reentry services, social injustice, workforce development, managing a soup kitchen, teaching soft skills, but not limited to basic computer development, public rallies, marches, keynotes, and events   giving back to the people.
 

Joseph is a well-grounded, resolute leader who has built an invaluable rapport in the community. He increasingly connects with likeminded people and organizations. He continuously collaborates with local businesses as well as working with State and City officials on creating change focusing on advocacy and donating. At present Joseph is boots on the ground with the people of the   community. He is a man of spirituality and always puts God first in all aspects of life.
 

As a self-proclaimed dreamer of life, Lillian quickly realized that having her head in the clouds was the best way to preen her bird identification skills. Birding, birdwatching, and environmental education are her passions, and Lillian has used them to inspire advocates for nature at multiple scales. At her core, Lillian is a leader in the fight to remediate Mother Earth and metamorphize our cultural treatment of nature. Lillian is a Chicago Bird Alliance Board Member, a Black Birders Week Planning Committee Member, the regional water trail's manager at Openlands, and a student at UIC majoring in Urban Policy &   Planning. 

Robbie "Coco" Johnson is a God Fearing Mother of 4 born and raised in North Lawndale. Her family migrated from Alabama to Chicago in the 1940's and brought property in North Lawndale in 1950 and this was where she was born! She became a Block Club President in early twenties and carried on being a community leader ever since. She is currently working with the Great Pastor Phil at The Firehouse Community Arts Center as a Outreach Community Coordinator.  

Kobey, he/him, is a proud advocate for peace and nonviolence, hailing from the West Side of Chicago. With seven years of dedicated practice in nonviolent conflict resolution, he is a Nationally Certified Kingian Nonviolence Level 1 Trainer and Ambassador of Peace. In 2017, Kobey embarked on a journey across 27 states and over 150 cities, advocating and raising awareness for peace. During this journey, he spoke in Washington DC, New York, and other places akin to Chicago. 

His commitment to promoting empathy and resolving disputes peacefully has earned him recognition, including membership in the National Honors Society and the Phenomenal Man Award. Kobey is deeply passionate about empowering communities through education and advocacy for nonviolence.    

Nachelle Pugh was born and raised on the Westside of Chicago, and has resided in the Austin Area for over 21 years. For the past 25 years, Nachelle has worked in Higher Education Administration. She earned both a Bachelor's in Business Administration and a Master's in both Business and Higher Education Administration from Robert Morris University.
 

In February 2017, she suffered the tragic loss of her son, Walter "John Walt" Long Jr., an emerging Chicago hip hop artist and one of the founding members of the West Side boy band "Pivot Gang" She and Saba (Walt's cousin, rapper, and producer from the West Side of Chicago) co-founded the John Walt Foundation in memory of her son.
 

Nachelle has now dedicated her life to being an advocate for her son John Walt and the under-resourced young creatives in the Chicagoland area as Executive Director of the John Walt Foundation. During John Walt's career he wanted to use his ambition and creativity to make others happy with his music. Walt's drive to live out his dream while spreading positivity with his art is what inspired the start of the John Walt Foundation.
 

Nachelle is an emerging leader in the nonprofit sector with key skills in areas of fundraising, youth empowerment, and community involvement. She enjoys working with and motivating young creatives to be a better part of our community. Her mission is to help them understand the needs of the community and meet people where they are to help them overcome challenges that are   preventing them from leading a healthy productive life through creative outlets and community building. Her passions include mentorship and philanthropy, particularly concerning the youth, women, minority business owners, and other voices in need of empowerment.    

Samantha is a lifelong resident of the Westside. Her passion is cooking and giving back. She believes that over a good meal that most conflicts can be resolved and some hearts can start to heal. Samantha is trying her best to service her community and set a positive example for others. Working with the youth is another passion of hers because she believe that we can't move forward without filling in the space we leave behind. In all endeavors, Samantha vows to teach her daughter just as her mom has taught her.

Markayle Tolliver is a young professional with excellent communication skills and a passion for journalism, community engagement, and teaching/youth development. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from Western Illinois University, where he also minored in African American Studies.
 

In his current role as a Project Manager at the Chicago Treasurer's Office, Markayle leads the planning, execution, and monitoring of special projects.
 

Markayle is deeply committed to personal and professional growth, seeking opportunities to create a greater impact with organizations dedicated to positive change. His diverse experience and dedication make him an asset to any team.    

Janeicia Williams was raised on the Westside of Chicago where she grew up publicly reciting   poetry and delivering speeches that spoke of uplifting the Black community. She graduated from Howard University with a Bachelors in Legal Communications and has recently finished her masters at DePaul University in Experience Design. 

She currently works as a Community Liaison for Project Exploration where she has led the Austin My CHI My Future initiative which focuses on expanding out of school time opportunities for youth. 

Additionally, for the past couple of years, she has worked closely with Chicago Westside Branch   NAACP on their youth and violence prevention programs. Through these initiatives, Janeicia chairs the annual Westside Youth Empowerment Conference which provides 100 high school students the opportunity to participate in personal development, leadership, and mental health workshops at a downtown Chicago hotel. She also serves as a Generation Z Mental Health Ambassador for   Habilitative Systems Inc. Janeicia has a strong passion for community advocacy and leading youth development initiatives.     

Trinity Sapphire, a spoken word artist, poet, and slam competitor, was born and raised on the Westside of Chicago. She is no stranger to lights, camera, action. Her performing arts career began in the church, which opened up a myriad of opportunities, including working with After School Matters, Move Me Soul Contemporary Dance Company, La'Follete Park for acting and dance training, Shy Town Sugar Filmz, and ThumbPrint Studios. She has also collaborated with Guild Literary Complex, Forge-Forward, and Life Is Work.
 

Currently, she is pursuing her undergraduate degree at National Louis University and is one of the three founders of Poet's Perspective Network.  Additionally, she serves as the administrative and event coordinator for the 411 Movement for Pierre Loury, focusing on police reform, fostering   police-community relations, and reducing violence through artistic expression.