ALL Chicago Announces New Cohort of Fellows Preparing for Elected School Board Leadership
CHICAGO, IL — Academy for Local Leadership (ALL) Chicago has announced its newest class of fellows: a group of 20 community-rooted leaders participating in a seven-month training program designed to prepare them for leadership on Chicago’s evolving elected school board and other public education roles.
This second cohort arrives at a critical time, as Chicago continues its historic transition to a fully elected school board by 2027. Through the ALL Fellowship, participants will deepen their knowledge of public education systems, gain hands-on civic leadership training, and explore pathways toward future governance roles in the city.
Over the past year, ALL Chicago has played a quiet but pivotal role in elevating community input in decision-making. The organization helped design and facilitate public engagement sessions across the city during the district’s superintendent search community meetings and SY26 budget season, supporting the district’s efforts to lead with transparency and community input.
“Chicago is at a crossroads. With a historic shift to an elected school board, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a school system shaped by the people it serves,” said Bridget Lee, Executive Director of ALL Chicago. “This fellowship is about more than preparing individuals to lead—it’s about ensuring the values of equity, transparency, and community power are embedded in the future of public education in our city.”
The 2025 fellowship cohort includes parent advocates, educators, nonprofit leaders, and organizers from across Chicago. Fellows will participate in policy workshops, connect with education advocates and current board members, and develop a vision for impact with a focus on racial equity, student-centered decision-making, and community empowerment.
“ALL Chicago awakens leaders to their full potential,” said Che “Rhymefest” Smith, board member, artist, and community organizer. “I’ve personally benefited from their training, which reconnects purpose, justice, and good governance to the kinds of schools our students deserve.”
2025 ALL Chicago Fellows:
- Makinde A. Adedapo
- Brenda Anderson
- Marisol Barrera
- Jacqueline Bland-Payne
- Natasha Croff
- Ari Danzy
- Anthony Garcia
- Richard Glass Jr.
- Nancy Jimenez
- Robert Jones
- Cindy La
- Patricia Mota
- Jose Ortiz-Reyna
- Marlene Rios
- Ivon Ruiz Soberanis
- Damarr Smith
- Neal Spann
- Nicole Turner
The new class officially begins training on Saturday, August 9, 2025, and will meet regularly through Spring 2026. Fellows receive a stipend for their participation and will work collaboratively on a policy or practice change project tied to education governance in Chicago.