Berto Aguayo '16 Announces Candidacy for Alderman of Chicago's 15th Ward

Aug. 2, 2018



Berto Aguayo '16 has announced his candidacy for alderman for Chicago's 15th Ward, an area including the Back of the Yards neighborhood where he was born and raised. Berto, who will be campaigning against current alderman, Ray Lopez, is running for office in an effort to improve his community and to tackle the root causes of violence--lack of education, employment, housing and mental health services.



Overcoming a troubled youth as a gang member, Berto became student body president at Dominican. While still in school, he was appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel to the Brothers' Keeper program, a White House initiative that addresses opportunity gaps faced by youth of color. He also interned at the Illinois Coalition for Immigration and Refugee Rights in Chicago and with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, DC. A former community organizer for The Resurrection Project, Berto is currently working with the Obama Foundation as a community leader training youth.