Bank of America announces 2022 Chicagoland Student Leaders

Bank of America recently announced five Chicago area high school juniors and seniors were selected as Student Leaders (#BofAStudentLeaders), an eight-week summer internship providing students with first-hand experience in serving their communities.

These students have started their paid internship experience of workforce skills, leadership, and civic engagement with the local nonprofits Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, and Bridge Communities.

As part of the program, they will earn $17 per hour and receive a Chromebook.

Without access to career skills-building opportunities like the Student Leaders program, many young people may be left behind from a fast-changing job market, leading to higher rates of youth unemployment.

"Bank of America remains committed to supporting young adults by connecting them to jobs, community engagement opportunities, and leadership development," said Rita Cook, president, Bank of America Chicago. "We recognize young adults are the future and programs like Student Leaders are one way we can provide paid opportunities for students to gain job experience while developing a diverse pipeline of talent as they enter the local workforce."

The Class of 2022 Chicago Bank of America Student Leaders are:

• NIyonna Branch, Englewood, Johnson College Prep;

• Kyla Emory, Flossmoor, Homewood-Flossmoor High School;

• Sahan Sahgal, Hinsdale, Hinsdale Central High School;

• Fathima Shaikh, West Town, Walter Payton College Prep High School;

• Kara Simmons, Jeffery Manor/South Deering, Gwendolyn Brooks College Prep.

Started in 2004, the Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors from across the U.S. annually. The Chicago-based Student Leaders are participating in programming that includes a collaborative, mentor-focused project with Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, and Bridge Communities.

Bank of America Student Leaders will also participate in a virtual Leadership Summit, delivered in partnership with the Close Up Foundation.

The summit will include opportunities to engage with congressional leaders, hear from leaders in civil and human rights and participate in the Stanford University Young Democracy at Home program which encourages conversation about current issues facing young people today.