75 Local Leaders Selected To Spark Change and Find Solutions in Chicago, Detroit and Jackson

In the Face of National Division, Fellows Join Change Collective’s Network of More Than 200 Changemakers in Cities Across the Country To Seek Common Ground and Local Solutions

Washington D.C. — Today, the Change Collective announced their 2025 Spring Fellowship of changemakers in Chicago, Illinois, Detroit, Michigan, and Jackson, Mississippi. From youth and reentry support to the arts and business, the 75 Spring Fellows will address community needs with tangible solutions through neighborhood-based Civic Action Plans. 

Created to connect, elevate and train local leaders across the country, the Change Collective works with changemakers in five cities across the nation, including existing fellowships in Memphis, Tennessee, and San Antonio, Texas. Change Collective Fellows have access to training opportunities, leadership development and a wide network of mentors. By prioritizing civic leadership over politics and solving problems at the community level, the initiative works to reaffirm the power of local leaders to unite neighbors, break through polarization and bring people together to meet shared goals.

“Political polarization and gridlock might be the norm in Washington, but we know that meaningful change is happening at the local level. People from all walks of life want to solve problems and make their communities better, and the Change Collective provides the hands-on training to help them do it. It’s an honor to welcome 75 solution-focused fellows to our growing network of more than 200 changemakers nationwide. These fellows will unite their neighbors in Chicago, Detroit and Jackson to make meaningful change in their cities and build community with each other along the way,” said Dexter Mason, Change Collective Executive Director.

Of the 75 fellows, 88% identify as people of color and 69% identify as women. Additionally, 65% of fellows are younger than 36 and 45% are 30 years old or younger. This group of changemakers includes: 

• Financial experts working to reimagine sustainable nonprofit funding, improve business operations and bring resident voices into community development.
• Community organizers building grassroots power in education, restorative justice, LGBTQ+ and poverty issues.
• Advocates focused on increasing access to resources in finance, education, healthcare, climate change, housing, food, technology and sports.
• Leaders of organizations working to maximize their community impact.

 

Notable fellows in each city include:

Chicago — Latrel Crawford

A proud Chicago native, Crawford is the Director of Program Success at Braven, and as an activist, artist and community organizer, he is deeply committed to racial and economic justice for Black Chicagoans. Crawford’s Civic Action Project will address gun violence, empower marginalized communities and drive meaningful social change.

Detroit — Elena Viñales

Viñales serves as the Manager of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of Michigan’s School of Kinesiology, where she received her doctorate in Sports Management. Viñales will use her expertise to develop a sports program for Black girls to build confidence and leadership skills.

Jackson — Jennifer West

A dedicated Jackson community advocate, West founded N2C Consulting LLC to specialize in equitable development. Through her Civic Action Plan, West will refine strategies for coalition-building and sustainable impact to strengthen community-led initiatives, including business education programs, revitalization efforts and policy advocacy.

On March 28, the Spring 2025 Fellows will gather in their respective cities of Chicago, Detroit and Jackson for kickoff events marking the beginning of their training. These events will feature training sessions on adaptive leadership and community-building along with intentional engagement with the Change Collective’s partners, supporters and growing network of 160 Fellows across Chicago, Detroit and Jackson.

Learn more about the individual stories and work of all 75 fellows here. Members of the media interested in speaking with the leadership of the Change Collective or a fellow should email press@civicnation.org.