The Palenque Fellowship is an immersive leadership and professional development program with a goal to uplift new civic leaders, build community connection, and provide deeper insights into our QLP community-based planning and internal committee work. We have chosen 23 Fellows – emerging community leaders across a range of ages, identities, and professions.
Through the Fellowship, Fellows will:
Strengthen Palenque LSNA’s committee work and deepen the connections between our MAC members and community stakeholders.
Gain organizing and leadership skills within the context of the Palenque values, including self-care, community care, restorative justice, and abolition.
Develop and implement strategies to help close the life expectancy gap in the City of Chicago through an equitable approach.
Explore and learn about their ancestral history through a decolonial lens.
As part of their participation, Fellows will receive leadership and professional development training; conduct community-wide assessments that will guide planning and policy development; and sharpen communication, time-management, and interpersonal skills. All Fellows receive a$4,000 stipend.
Meet our 2022-2023 Palenque Fellows!
Alma Pérez, She/Her/Ella
McAuliffe Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Immigration
Andrea Sanabria, She/Her/Ella
HPUMC Member /Mujeres a Mujeres Coordinator
Committee: Immigration
Angelez Ruby Vasquez, They/Them/Elle
Schurz Youth Graduate
Committee: Housing
Bethzaira Charluisant Ramirez, She/Her/Ella
Funston Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Education
Blanca G. Beltran Castaneda, She/Her/Ella
Mozart Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Immigration
Cristina Hernandez, She/Her/Ella
Community Member
Committee: Wellness + Culture
Estela Revolorio, She/Her/Ella
Avondale Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Housing
Gissel Escobedo, She/Her/Ella
Committee: Immigration
Isabel Cabrera, She/Her/Ella
Avondale Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Housing
Julian Arroyo, Him/His/El
NEIU/El Centro Student
Committee: Housing
Nelly Musajeva, She/Her/Ella
Carl Schurz High School Graduate
Committee: Immigration
Saraid Graciano, She/Her/Ella
Committee: Wellness + Culture
Janece Ortiz, She/Her/Ella
Organization: LUCHA
Kevin Mckinstry, Him/His/El
Carl Schurz High School Teacher
Committee: Wellness + Culture
Rocio Ibarra, She/Her/Ella
Mozart Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Immigration
Sonia Calderon, She/Her/Ella
Funston Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Education
Jessica Areizaga, She/Her/Ella
Carl Schurz High School Parent Mentor
Committee: Wellness + Culture
Lupita Delgado, She/Her/Ella
One Summer Chicago Participant
Committee: Wellness + Culture
Rossy Mendoza, She/Her/Ella
McAuliffe Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Education
Tenoch Rodriguez, Him/His/El
Center for Changing Lives
Committee: Housing
Jessica Jiménez, She/Her/Ella
Monroe Elementary Parent Mentor
Committee: Immigration
Mia Velazquez, She/Her/Ella
One Summer Chicago Participant
Committee: Housing
Rosy Loya She/her
Parent Mentor at Stowe Elementary Education Committee