Public Allies Chicago

✨ Allies Leading the Way - Evelin Santos

I was 25 when I became a Public Ally with Greater Southwest Development Corporation as an employment specialist. My son was 7. My daughter was 12. I showed up for that service year with my whole family in tow — and I wouldn't change a thing.

People might look at that and think — that's a lot to carry. And honestly, it was. But becoming a mother young never stopped me. I was the first in my family to finish high school. The first to graduate from college. I earned my BA in Psychology and Child Development from DePaul University — and I kept going. I served in AmeriCorps, built a career, and showed up every single day because I refused to let my circumstances define my ceiling.

One of the moments I'll never forget from my Ally years? Standing at President Obama's inauguration during my second year of service. That memory still gives me chills.

Today I work at Erie Family Health Centers as an Executive Assistant, and I recently received a Relationship Award from my organization — something I'm really proud of. But if you ask me what my greatest accomplishment is, it's not an award. It's my kids.

That 12-year-old daughter? She graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago as a civil engineer. That 7-year-old son? He just graduated from the United States Navy and is continuing his education through service. I used to bring them with me to community service events because I wanted them to see what it looks like to give back. I had no idea just how deeply it would stick with them.

Watching who they've become — that's my legacy. That's everything.

I share this because I want someone out there to know — whatever you're carrying, it doesn't disqualify you. It equips you. And where you start does not have to be where you stop.

Malik arrived at the Institute for Positive Living as a second-year Ally with a degree in Criminology and a clear sense of why early investment in young people matters.

He started by listening — having students read aloud so he could understand exactly where each one struggled. From there he built individualized academic plans, identified culturally relevant books, and recommended technology to strengthen the program's literacy tools. His ideas didn't just help the students he worked with directly. His supervisor noted they strengthened the entire program.

By year's end, Malik had expanded programming to 400% of its original target.

✨ The priority deadline has passed—but the opportunity hasn’t. Momentum is building. Come be part of it. Apply today!

Host an Ally for the 26-27 cohort:
🔗 publicallies.org/chicago/become-a-partner

Be an Ally:
🔗publicallies.org/chicago/become-an-ally/

Today’s the day 🔥 Our next Fireside Chat features Stephen Ramsey, Community Leadership Fellows, bringing us a powerful conversation titled “From Lockers to Listings.”

Stephen’s journey from student-athlete to real estate professional is rooted in discipline, growth, and seizing opportunity. From earning academic honors and basketball scholarships to building his career in real estate, he has consistently turned commitment into momentum.

Now a licensed real estate agent with Coldwell Banker, Stephen combines his background in business management and marketing with hands-on industry experience to carve out his path in the field.

This session invites our Allies to reflect on transition, identity, and what it takes to move from one chapter to the next with purpose.

Growth isn’t accidental—it’s intentional.

✨Allies Leading the Way - Rudy Lozano Jr.

I was 23 years old when I became a Public Ally and served with Public Allies Chicago during the 1998–1999 service year. I was placed at two organizations — six months each — the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) and the Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT). That year shaped the leader I am today in ways I'm still discovering.

Today, I serve as Executive Director in Global Philanthropy at JPMorganChase & Co., where I lead The Fellowship Initiative (TFI) — a college and career success program launched in 2010 that uses a holistic approach to increase the economic mobility of young people of color. Through academic enrichment, skills building, mentoring, career readiness, and leadership development, TFI is the embodiment of the work I've always believed in.

Outside of my professional role, community is everything to me. I serve as Board Chair for Enlace Chicago, a founding board member of Chicago Education Alliance, an advisory board member of the Academy for Local Leadership Chicago, and a longstanding member of the 22nd Ward Independent Political Organization. I was also appointed to and served on the Chicago Board of Education for 15 months.

I've run for office twice — in 2010 and 2012. I am deeply proud of the organization and the cadre of leaders that emerged from those campaigns. Many of them are now elected officials themselves. That, to me, is the real victory.

Everything I do is rooted in love for this city and in service of working-class people, immigrants, women, young people, BIPOC communities, and LGBTQ+ neighbors.

Laly showed up at Erie Neighborhood House and stepped into two programs at once — and delivered in both.

For Little Village Reads, they developed more than 50 phonics and guided reading curriculum materials for K-3 students, administered literacy assessments, and hit every target every month. For Erie's ESL program, they learned to register students, administer language assessments, manage filing systems, and enter state reporting data — independently by spring.

Two programs. One Ally. Ten months of showing up completely.

🔗 Learn how your organization can host an Ally for the 2027 cohort, priority applications due by May 29th: publicallies.org/chicago/become-a-partner

🔗Learn how to join 2026-2027 cohort as an Ally and apply by May 29th: https://publicallies.org/chicago/become-an-ally/

Fireside Chat happening today 🔥

Our Allies will be in conversation with Mary Smith, a trailblazing leader in law, governance, and public service.

As the former President of the American Bar Association—and the first Native American woman to hold the role—Mary brings a wealth of experience across government, corporate leadership, and public policy. From serving as CEO of the Indian Health Service to launching initiatives that protect American democracy, her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, access, and systems change.

This space is for our Allies to lean into critical dialogue, deepen their understanding of civic leadership, and explore the tools needed to shape what’s next.

✨Allies Leading the Way - Keith Lewis

History shows us that transformational change is driven by young people ages 16 to 24 and Public Allies is no exception.

At 24, I stepped into leadership as a Youth Entrepreneurship Coordinator at Governors State University through Public Allies — and never looked back.

Today, I serve as Sr. Director of Community Collaboration at University of Illinois Chicago, leading community-based initiatives across Chicago's south and west sides. I also teach Civic Engagement as an adjunct professor in UIC's College of Business Administration, and serve on boards including The Chicago Community Trust African American Legacy Fund, Community Leadership Fellows, and Chicago Rites of Passage Group.

From a Public Allies Changemaker Award in 2006 to the Bridgebuilder Award from Lawndale Christian Development Corporation — and leading the development and opening of two UIC neighborhood centers — this journey has always been about community.

Power in emerging leaders is real. I'm proof.

Ti'mara completed her service with The Kenwood Oakland Community Organization (KOCO) and left a mark that lasted well beyond her term.

At KOCO, Ti'mara supported the Silver Fox Cafe — a new social enterprise serving as both a restaurant and senior center in Bronzeville. Designed to give seniors a safe, resource-rich space, the cafe offers computer literacy classes, health workshops, and an event space bringing the neighborhood's historic music scene back to life. Ti'mara helped build the community infrastructure behind it, securing ten new partnerships with local businesses and organizations to expand the cafe's reach and resources.

She also co-founded United Sisters — a girls mentoring program built from scratch for an elementary school KOCO partnered with in the community.

When it came time to hire, KOCO knew who they wanted. Ti'mara joined the staff as a youth organizer.

That is what ten months with Public Allies looks like.

🔗 Host an Ally for the 2027 cohort, priority applications due by May 29th: publicallies.org/chicago/become-a-partner

🔗Learn how to join 2026-2027 cohort as an Ally and apply by May 29th: https://publicallies.org/chicago/become-an-ally/

Today’s the day 🔥 Our next Fireside Chat featuring Kevin McGhee, of Marillac St. Vincent.

“Your Character is Your Destiny” — Together, we’ll explore how self-awareness, discipline, and values shape not only how we lead—but what we ultimately build.

With over 20 years of experience, Kevin is a nonprofit leader, Certified Dream Manager, and life coach dedicated to helping individuals and organizations grow into their best selves. His work centers on purpose-driven leadership, personal growth, and transformational development, bridging heart and strategy in every space he enters.

From mentoring youth to advancing community wellness and developing his vision, Phoenix Renew, Kevin reminds us that success starts from within.

We’re excited for our Allies to lean into a conversation that challenges us to lead with intention and build with character.

Interested in hosting or leading a future Fireside Chat? Let’s connect!

Olivia came to Horizons for Youth with one goal: make sure the organization could show up better for the students and families who needed it most.

In ten months, she built recruitment materials for families and school administrators, sent personalized reminders to drive event attendance, and walked families through the application process one by one. She created newsletter content and virtual engagement events for K-2 families. She launched a Student Ambassador Program so high school students could keep each other accountable. And she built a guidebook for graduating students — a resource designed specifically for first-generation students who needed someone to map the road ahead.

Her supervisor said it simply: Olivia is highly regarded, willing to take charge, and she delivers.

That is what ten months with Public Allies looks like.

🔗 Learn how your organization can host an Ally for the 2027 cohort: publicallies.org/chicago/become-a-partner

🔗 Learn how to join the 2026-2027 cohort as an Ally:
publicallies.org/be-an-ally