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Photo courtesy of Andrew Gill / WBEZ

April 15, 2020



Berto Aguayo '16 has been selected to receive funding for a two-year fellowship with The Chicago Community Trust to deepen the impact of Increase The Peace. Through the fellowship, Increase The Peace will form a coalition made up of 18 grassroots leaders and community organizations titled the Changemakers Network. The goal of Changemakers Network is to accelerate change in communities most affected by structural racism and disinvestment.



Outside of his role at Increase The Peace, Berto was the director of Latino Outreach for Lori Lightfoot's Mayoral campaign and most recently political director for Marie Newman. He is the first in his family to attend college, graduating with high honors from Dominican University with dual bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Economics.



As a lifelong Back of the Yards resident and a product of an immigrant family, Berto has been a fierce voice against gun violence and a champion for immigrant rights. His work in Back of the Yards, Brighton Park, Gage Park, and West Englewood has been recognized nationally as a solution to prevent violence in Chicago.



Read more: The Chicago Community Trust Awards Over $1.5 Million to Community Organizers as Part of New Initiative