Parents commit to monthly training sessions as well as other programmatic activities, such as community outings, solidarity circles, and campaign actions. We compensate parents and provide childcare and meals for in-person sessions, which run from September to June. In early summer, we celebrate the fellows with a retreat and graduation. Through continued cohort and alumni engagement, parents benefit from a continuum of networking and collaborative opportunities to amplify their voices in advocacy for education equity. In solidarity, parent fellows advocate across segregated lines for an equitable, high-quality public education for all kids in Chicago, with a focus on the city’s Black and Latine communities.

The Parent Leadership Fellowship (PLF) is Kid's First Chicago's (K1C) investment in parents as the true agents of change for education equity. Our 2024-2025 Cohort consists of 20+ Black and Latine parent leaders of public education students in South Side communities with a focus on Ashburn, Auburn Gresham, Chatham, Englewood, Greater Grand Crossing, and Woodlawn.

We seek parents who:

  • Would benefit from the Fellowship’s informal and intentional networking and bonding experiences;

  • Desire to learn about topics such as the history of public education, organizing principles, collective action, and community governance; and

  • Are passionate about influencing change in their communities.

The fellowship is an opportunity to be part of a growing collective network of powerful parent leaders from across the city who advocate and organize to effect change in public education locally and citywide to ensure all our kids have a high-quality education.

For more information regarding the Parent Leadership Fellowship, please contact Teresa Maldonado at tmaldonado@kidsfirstchicago.org and/or Victory Nwabufo at vnwabufo@kidsfirstchicago.org.

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Participating in PLF will not only give you knowledge, but will also provide you with the resources and support required to be a successful parent in your community.

—Brenda Rivera, PLF Alumna, Inter-American, Humboldt Park


Meet our West Side Fellows (2021-2022)

The inaugural 2021-2022 PLF cohort includes parent leaders from Chicago’s West Side.

Audrianna Cannon
Muchin College Prep
Homan Square

Christopher Fayne
North Lawndale HS, Plato Elementary
Austin

Blaire Flowers
North Lawndale HS, Plato Elementary
Austin

Taschaunda Hall
Austin

Jamica Holliness
KIPP, Carole Robertson Center for Learning
North Lawndale

Cornetta Hopkins
Tilton Elementary
North Lawndale

Karonda Locust
Uplift Community HS, Cather Elementary
Austin

Teresa Maldonado
Erie Charter School
Humboldt Park

Tierra Pearson
Clemente HS, DePreist Elementary
Humboldt Park

Brenda Rivera
Inter-American Magnet School
Humboldt Park

Dominique Smith
KIPP Academy Chicago Primary
Garfield Park

April Smith
Catalyst Circle Rock, Crown Elementary
Austin/North Lawndale

Meet our Southwest Side Fellows (2022-2023)

Our 2022-2023 PLF cohort includes parent leaders from Chicago’s Southwest Side.

Ofelia Carmona
Gage Park

Martha Cruz
Back of the Yards

Esmeralda De La Rosa
Pilsen

Maria Eira Guevara
Brighton Park

Jasmin Lopez
Gage Park

Consuelo Martinez
Back of the Yards

Celina Molina
Little Village

Lucero Montero
Back of the Yards

Alejandra Mora
Little Village

Maria Ochoa
Back of the Yards

Ricarda Pedraza
Brighton Park

Crystal Ramirez
Back of the Yards

Deglys Rodriguez
Little Village

Alma Silva Sigala
Back of the Yards

Viridiana Soriano
Little Village

Carmen Yadira Trinidad de la Cruz
Brighton Park

Jaqueline Vargas
Gage Park

Lorena Vega
Back of the Yards

Carolina Velarde
Back of the Yards

Meet our Northwest Side Fellows (2023-2024)

Our 2023-2024 PLF cohort includes parent leaders from Chicago’s Northwest Side.

Mercedes Aguirre
Hermosa

Jose Barrios
Belmont Cragin

Bianca Salgado-Duque
Belmont Cragin

Norma Elise Heaton
Humboldt Park

Norma Lopez

Humboldt Park

Maria Isabel Molina
Belmont Cragin

Rosy Loya
Hermosa

Clent Lewis
Humboldt Park

Julissa Muriel

Logan Square

Diana Padilla

Logan Square

Christine Palmer
Portage Park

Yesenia Velez
Logan Square

Andrea Zayas

Humboldt Park

Ben Zayas

Humboldt Park

Meet our South Side Fellows (2024-2025)

Our 2024-2025 PLF cohort includes parent leaders from Chicago’s South Side.

Katrina Adams-Adewusi
Chatham

Lawrence Baker

Greater Grand Crossing

Ella Blackwell
Englewood

April Buckley
Burnside

Cathy Bulliock

Auburn Gresham

Kim Burgess

Auburn Gresham

Valerie Carroll

Englewood

Mykela Collins

Auburn Gresham

Luz Corral

Chicago Lawn


Anthony Garcia

Brighton Park

Katanya Harvill
Bronzeville

Crystal Hawkins
Washington Park

Saira Hernandez
Brighton Park

Jameycia Jenkins
Bronzeville

Ashley Martin
Chicago Lawn

Maria Navarrette
Englewood

Adriana Perez
Englewood

Alisa Radcliffe
Woodlawn

Minijoie Wilker

Washington Heights

Frequently Asked Questions

I do not have children/my children are no longer attending Chicago Public Schools. Am I allowed to be nominated for PLF?

PLF is open to parents and caretakers of children who attend CPS schools (this includes charter schools). If you do not fall into one of these identifying categories, you cannot be nominated for PLF. However, Kids First Chicago provides countless other ways for you to stay active in your community.


How many PLF sessions am I allowed to miss?

While we strongly encourage attendance at every session, fellows are allowed to miss one session per 3 month module. Fellows are required to meet with us for a 90-minute makeup session to catch up on key content missed.


Where will PLF sessions be held?

PLF sessions are held in the region where the cohort is currently based. For instance, South Side cohort sessions will be held on the South Side of Chicago. Locations may vary for each session depending on the activities planned (i.e., one session may be at a community center, while the next may be at a local library).


How much is the PLF stipend?

Fellows receive a stipend of $1200, disbursed in three $400 installments.


Can I bring my children to our PLF sessions?

Childcare is always provided at our in-person monthly sessions.

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Being a PLF Alumna has opened up so many doors and opportunities that I had only dreamed of. It gave me a vision, purpose, and voice. We as parents of color stand in solidarity with one another and nothing will stop the work we set out to do.

—April Smith, PLF Alumna '22

Get involved!

Consider meeting with one of our staff members to explore how we can support you in advocating for your child and/or getting involved in parent leadership opportunities.

Meet with Us