Brian Sleet Fellowship

The Brian Sleet Memorial Fellowship for Leadership and Advocacy is a scholarship program that provides funding to young, African American, civic leaders to carry on the legacy of Chicago Votes’ founding board member, Brian Sleet. Brian passed away on December 26th, 2018. His untimely passing inspired his loved ones to create a memorial scholarship fund to honor Sleet’s commitment to social justice and youth political empowerment.

Civic Leadership Program

At Chicago Votes, we strongly believe the people most impacted should be leading the work––and our Unlock Civics program is no exception. The Chicago Votes’ Civic Leadership program is designed for people who have been incarcerated in the U.S., specifically in Illinois. Through direct organizing work, participants develop skills in organizing people outside of prison and supporting organizers on the inside, the Illinois legislative process, and adding a critical perspective around the American legal system.

Policy Fellowship

The Chicago Votes’ Policy Fellowship program seeks to develop young organizers to increase their knowledge of the legislative and elections process in Illinois. They work directly with Chicago Votes staff, volunteers, partners and base to execute the Chicago Votes’ Legislative agenda, learning the Illinois political landscape and legislative organizing tactics.

DemocracyCorps

Our DemocracyCorps Fellowship develops young organizers from communities across Chicago to be the change they want to see. The program seeks to increase civic participation amongst young people by giving them the tools to organize their communities. Young people leading Chicago to a better future is what it’s all about!

Aziz Hsouna

2021 Civic Leader

Through this program, he led our court watching and judicial accountability work.

While reflecting on his time with Chicago Votes, Aziz stated, “I got to experience what it is like to work with a nonprofit with an abolitionist lens.”

Violet Gallardo

2016 DemocracyCup Fellow

Violet joined Chicago Votes in 2016 for the Spring DemocracyCup program and returned to the team in 2021 as our social worker! “My experience with CV prepared me for my path in Social Work because I saw the incredible need for accessible and culturally affirming mental health services for not only the youth I worked with but for their mentors and community as well,” explains Violet.

Troy Alim

2016 DemocracyCup Fellow

“My time at Chicago Votes was a direct pipeline into what I’m doing now,” says Troy. Since his program, he helped start the Young Advocates program in the midwest office of Young Invincibles, moved from organizing fellow to engagement manager at Young Invincibles, and launched PodLab Studios.

Chakena Perry

2013 DemocracyCorps Fellow

Since being a 2013 DemocracyCorps organizer, Chakena has organized local and state political campaigns, worked for CPS, received her master’s degree from the University of Chicago, and now serves as the youngest Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner.

Nick Santaniello

2017 Summer Intern

Since Chicago Votes, Nick earned his master’s in political science and is working towards his MBA, while considering pursuing a law degree down the road! “My favorite part of being a member of the Chicago Votes Family is that I always have a solid foundation to rely on in times of need. CV is composed of kind-hearted and encouraging people who are ready to help at a moment’s notice. Being a part of CV means lifelong friendships, a second home, and consistent support for any path you choose,” says Nick.

Caleb Dunson

2020 Brian Sleet Fellow

Since going off to college, Caleb has accomplished A LOT! He became a columnist & the first Black opinion editor for Yale University’s student newspaper, joined student government, interned with Congressman Danny Davis, and interned in a New Haven elected official’s office. Next spring Caleb will be attending University of Oxford to study political theory and labor economics!