“Don’t stay on the sideline — get involved,” former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot told students at an Innovators Club event during lunch on Jan. 22 in Judd C116, where she was interviewed about her experiences and accomplishments to inspire the U-High community.
Viren de Jeu, a co-founder and president of the Innovators Club, conducted the interview.
Club members selected Ms. Lightfoot to speak because she has broken many barriers and acted as mayor at an extremely difficult time, Viren said.
“Our motto is that we are dedicated to bold ideas, leadership journeys and the many ways innovation shapes our world,” he said about the club, which was organized this year.
Ms. Lightfoot, who was mayor from 2019-2023, was both the first Black woman and the first openly gay person to be mayor of Chicago.
Ms. Lightfoot stressed that her dedication to the people of Chicago and her desire to address the city’s systemic problems motivated her to run for mayor.
“The greatest honor that you can have as mayor is being able to help people and seeing what you do translated — immediately, impactfully — in the lives of people,” she said.
While Ms. Lightfoot does not want to run for mayor again, she has shifted her mindset into thinking of ways she can help Chicago as a private citizen. She is currently supporting Chicagoans with her work through the Chicago Vibrant Neighborhoods Collective, which supports community-based organizations, and the ICE Accountability Project, which documents ICE activity in Chicago.
Her main pieces of advice for young people wanting to make a difference are to educate yourself, learn how democracy works and look for opportunities to get involved in your passions.
Kai Lichtenbaum, a sophomore who attended the event, said, “It’s really exciting to meet someone who’s had such a large impact on Chicago and just listen to her speak.”
Both Kai and Viren were impressed that over 50 people attended the event and believed that the turnout was a success within itself.
Reflecting on the event, Viren said, “She really inspired me and iterated a point that you’re never too young to be involved and make a difference in your community.”
