One Random Trip. One Fellowship. A New Path for Advocacy.

Never in a million years would I have thought that a trip to the South Shore Cultural Center in 2025, where I picked up a bunch of random pamphlets, would lead me to Kids First Chicago and change the way I see education, advocacy, community activism, and Chicago Public Schools.

My first interaction with Kids First Chicago was an interview for the Parent Leadership Fellowship. We talked about what was important to me, how I moved within my community, and how I moved within my profession. They were interested in me and what I was doing, and they did not push an agenda on me. I felt heard and validated. I left that interview excited to even be considered by such an amazing organization.

Eventually, I got the call that I was a good fit for Cohort 5. I was elated.

For the next nine months, I would learn about the history of Chicago Public Schools, have important conversations about what it means to be a parent with a child in a CPS school, and learn how to use my voice effectively to make change.

I found that my concerns and my frustrations were not unique. In fact, there were lots of parents with the same concerns and frustrations with Chicago Public Schools. We had that in common, but we also had in common the fact that we had all tried. Although some of us had succeeded, many of us wanted more from this huge entity called Chicago Public Schools.

Every month, I also had the opportunity to participate in Living Room Sessions, which were smaller sessions focused on specific areas of support and information. These sessions helped me better understand what we discussed in our classes while also giving me resources and networking opportunities that allowed me to move into action in ways I did not know were possible.

One of the biggest examples of this for me was learning about the Local School Council.

I had always known about the LSC, but I never felt that applying for it was as important or even accessible to me as a parent. It seemed like such a huge entity, and I was not given the proper information from my school that would empower me to apply.

With Kids First Chicago, there was an entire unit on the LSC, along with supporting Living Room Sessions where we were able to ask questions. We were given the opportunity to have one-on-ones with a Local School Council specialist, and we even had support with having someone look over our writing and help us through the application process.

When I gave my speech to the community for my parent seat on the Local School Council, several Kids First Chicago administrators and fellows were there to cheer me on. That made me feel so good. Kids First continued to check in on me and offer me the support I needed.

I was able to hear the voices of other parents and celebrate with them as they experienced their own successes in advocacy and continued fighting for equity within their schools.

Kids First Chicago helped me realize that not only do I have a voice that is important, but one that needs to be heard.

I used to walk into a room not knowing what to say or what questions to ask. But Kids First has given me the information and exposure I need to know what to say in every room I go into when it comes to fighting for my CPS student.

Through my experience, I was able to meet with the elected school board. I participated in interviews about the Black Student Success Plan and what parents thought. I was able to co-host a Green Table Talk about the Black Student Success Plan and even go to Washington, D.C., to support the superintendent and speak on important issues affecting our Chicago Public Schools.

And I can go on and on about Kids First Chicago because they lit a fire under me and opened my eyes so that I could really understand the depth of the importance of fighting for our children.

Not just my child, but all children within the Chicago Public Schools system.

As a result of completing my fellowship, I gained not only a wealth of knowledge, but the confidence to know that my voice matters. I know where my resources are. I know what to say when I am in rooms with a superintendent and elected officials. I know my strength as a parent on the Local School Council, and I know the steps I want to take within my community and communities like mine to make sure that education is equitable and reflects who our kids really are and who they can be.

Since completing the fellowship, I have applied to be on the Black Student Achievement Committee and begun creating a college readiness class for high school students. I was also introduced to the Community Learning Partnership program at Kennedy-King College through Kids First Chicago, and I am currently participating in the program. Through this experience, I am learning more about community organizing, building relationships, and networking with people who are already doing this work in their communities.

I have also made sure to attend as many meetings as possible and make my voice heard in each and every one, challenging the powers that may be so that I can ensure the education being given to our children is not only top-notch, but fair, enriching, and makes a difference when our kids go on to higher education.

I can only say again that I am forever grateful to Kids First Chicago and in full support of everything they are doing.

I am excited for the work and the action ahead.

I now know that not only am I a part of the solution, but that a solution will come because of the voice of parents.