Berto Aguayo’s Post

I took a break from studying for the Bar exam to meet with President Obama, Valerie Jarrett, and a remarkable group of leaders to discuss how we can promote pluralism and strengthen democracy during these polarized times. During the conversation, I updated President Obama on our ongoing efforts to build community at Increase the Peace Chicago since we last met, and we shared ideas for future programming at the Obama Presidential Center. I'm incredibly grateful to the Obama Foundation for this opportunity and to everyone involved for making such an insightful conversation possible! 📸: The Obama Foundation

Increase the Peace Chicago youth leaders hosted their Summer Kickoff yesterday, and I met our future Executive Director! After the speaking program, I overheard Jesse, one of our youth leaders who spoke, say that he wanted to "be the next Berto, go to law school, and be the Executive Director of ITP one day." I tapped him on the shoulder and said, "You will be! In fact, let me take a picture with you since you're going to be our future director. But you won't be the next me, Jesse; you'll be the next you." I'm so proud of Jesse and all our youth leaders who organized yesterday's event, and I can't wait to see them continue running the organization. I am so grateful to our team—Evelyn, Cynthia, May, and Monserrat—to our community partners, and to everyone who put together yesterday's event! #BackOfTheYards #IncreaseThePeace

I'm so grateful to everyone who made our 5th Annual #BlackBrownUnity Parade possible! 🖤🤎 This is what commUNITY looks like. Peace and love. ✌🏼❤️ (And yes, I did Bar prep right up until parade kick-off time, and I just finished a Saturday Bar prep class from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don't worry, I'm prioritizing studying! 😅)

I had the pleasure of sitting down with retired NBA player and co-host of the award-winning podcast "All The Smoke," Matt Barnes, to discuss our stories, our work, and building Black and Brown unity! 🎙 Stay tuned for the release of the episode! And if you're free, join us tomorrow, Friday, for our 5th Annual Black & Brown Unity Car Parade at 5:30 PM at Marquette Park on 67th & Kedzie. (Check the flyer in the comments for more details.) The parade initially began as a direct response to the tension between our communities during the George Floyd uprisings, but it has since grown into an annual tradition, emphasizing multicultural solidarity and fostering unity to address the similar challenges we face. It's always a ton of fun, and we always have paletas and elotes! Hope you can stop by!🖤🤎

Just found out I graduated law school with Latin Honors and got straight As my last semester! 🎓 As a first-generation kid, I struggled hard during my first semester. I didn't even know what a law school exam looked like or what the term "BigLaw" meant. But I decided to wake up a little earlier (4:30am), stay at school a little later (6pm), and grind a little harder. I stuck to my non-negotiables (eat, sleep, and workout), and I focused on running my own race—not comparing myself to anyone else but to who I was yesterday. Little by little, I got better, and the grind paid off. To all the people about to start this journey, this one is for you. Don't get discouraged by the initial bumps on the road, stick to your non-negotiables, don’t compare yourself to anyone else but to who you were yesterday, and when you get to where you want to go, help others make it with you! Sí se puede y sí se pudo! 📸: Shoutout to my friend Cherie (Xinyi) Zhang for taking these cool pictures during the grad festivities last month! 🙌🏼 (Also, small plug for my informal "Office Hours" to help aspiring students get into law school on June 28th at 3:30 pm. We had our first session yesterday, and it was truly inspiring. These informal office hours are a way for me to balance the demands of bar prep while still helping aspiring students. We candidly answer questions, share resources, and build a community of support. Send me a DM for the link to sign up!)

I recently graduated from the Chicago Latino Caucus Foundation Leadership Academy and was grateful to have the person who has supported me every step of the way as my +1: Monserrat Ayala, the driving force behind Increase The Peace. (Monse just created a LinkedIn profile, so please make sure to add her to your network!😊) During the Leadership Academy, I made great friends, received amazing executive and life coaching, and we were reminded that a significant part of leadership is shining the spotlight on others and opening doors for them. Monse is one of the most inspiring and powerful women I know, and I wouldn't be able to do what I do without her. With that said, I will be actively supporting Monse as she applies to be a part of next year's cohort and have already committed to using my first few checks from my work at the law firm to sponsor her! If you have any questions about the Leadership Academy, please don't hesitate to reach out!

It was truly a full circle moment to speak at the Celebration of Dominican University's Chicago Campus at The Resurrection Project in Pilsen! I'm a proud alum of both of these great institutions! A few months after graduating Dominican in 2016, I became a community organizer at TRP, and that's where Increase The Peace has it's roots! Dominican instilled in me the mission of creating a more just & humane world and TRP gave me the mentorship and the community organizing training to pursue that mission one relationship, one partnership, and one community at a time! Just as it played out in my own life, I can't wait to see the way that this partnership will propel students and families to successfully pursue their social and economic aspirations, achieve their wildest dreams, all while making our communities a better place for us all. P.S. It was also nice to see Senator Durbin, who I interned for back in 2015 in DC through CHCI. #ProudlyDominican #TRPistas #CommUNITY

From joining a gang at 13 years old to graduating from law school and becoming the class speaker at 29, I've been reflecting on the journey between these two pictures. It's been a transformative one, filled with sacrifices, discipline, and overcoming some tough moments. But change is possible, and so is achieving your dreams. As I emphasized in my speech at graduation last week, though, I am mindful of the fact that I am not self-made; I am community-made. This milestone and this new chapter in my life would not have been possible without the unwavering support of my family and community, who believed in me even when I couldn't believe in myself. A big shout-out to my family, my community, and the man above for their relentless support and for making this transformation possible. 🙏🏼🙌🏼 📽️ If you'd like to watch my commencement speech, you can watch it here: https://lnkd.in/gJYbZppm #CommunityMade #Transformation #SiSePuede #Southside #Latino #Lawyer

Berto Aguayo, Juris Doctor. 🎓⚖️👨🏽⚖️ On Friday, I graduated from law school and spoke about the importance of community. The following day, I celebrated in the Back of the Yards neighborhood that raised me with the community that has supported me every step of the way: family, friends, and mentors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. Your support means the world to me. Now, it's time to hit the books for the Bar exam in July! 🤓 (And, yes that is my mom with a huge smile on her face in the 3rd picture! 🥲)

Thank you all so much for tuning in! Hope I've made you all, my community, proud. Si se pudo! 🎓👨🏽⚖️