Public Allies

Public Allies was founded in 1992 by Vanessa Kirsch and Katrina Browne, college graduates who wanted to challenge the notion that their generation was apathetic and uncaring.[2] Grounded in the belief that the untapped energy and idealism of young people can be a powerful force for transforming communities, Kirsch and Browne created Public Allies to provide a pipeline for diverse young leaders to begin careers in public life.

The first Public Allies program was launched in Washington, D.C., with 14 Allies (members), with funding from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and Surdna Foundation.[3] Its first year, the program also received a demonstration grant from the Commission for National and Community Service, under President George H. W. Bush.

In 1993, Public Allies Chicago was launched with 30 Allies under the leadership of founding Executive Director Michelle Obama. She served as Chicago director until 1996, and then as a national board member from 1997 to 2001. Also in 1993, President Bill Clinton named Public Allies as a model for national service.[4]

In 1994, Public Allies, along with Habitat for Humanity and YouthBuild, were among the first recipients of AmeriCorps grants, which allowed for expansion to Delaware, Milwaukee, and North Carolina. In 1995, Public Allies opened a site Silicon Valley and San Francisco, followed by Cincinnati (1998), New York and Los Angeles (1999), and Eagle Rock, Colorado (2002). Additional sites include Connecticut (2004); Arizona and Pittsburgh (2006); Miami, New Mexico, and San Antonio (2007); Indianapolis and Maryland (2009); Central Florida and the Twin Cities (2010); and Detroit and Iowa (2013).

In 2018, Jaime E. Uzeta was appointed CEO, replacing Adren O. Wilson, Ph.D., who served since 2014, and Paul Schmitz, who had served since 2000.

Public Allies has nearly 10,000 alumni.

In July 2022, the organization fired many staff and directors who were pushing for better pay and working conditions. Shortly after the Public Allies Board of Directors accepted the resignation of Uzeta, Jenise Terrell, a Public Allies alumna and long-time staffer, was appointed as the Interim CEO. In February 2023, Terrell was named CEO of Public Allies.

The Public Allies logo draws on Native American tradition to illustrate the impact individuals can have on their world. The handprint depicted in the logo represents the mark that people leave on their communities and on the people they touch in the course of their lives. The red swirl stands for the energy and idealism that drive people to serve their communities. The seven rays refer to a philosophy regarding the interconnectedness of the generations—the belief that an individual living today has been influenced by the three preceding generations and that the individual will go on to leave a legacy impacting the three generations to follow.

Public Allies' mission is to create a just and equitable society and the diverse leadership to sustain it. Their stated aim is to change the face and practice of leadership in communities across the country by demonstrating our conviction that everyone can lead, and that lasting social change results when citizens of all backgrounds step up, take responsibility, and work together.

There are multiple Public Allies sites nationwide, many of which are operated in partnership with a local nonprofit organization or university. More than 80% of Allies come from the communities in which they serve.

Public Allies has employed three main strategies to deliver its mission: 1) Paid apprenticeship and leadership program in partnership with AmeriCorps, 2) Alumni engagement, and 3) Advocacy.

Public Allies’ six core values are integrated into the program:

• Collaboration: The ability to facilitate, negotiate, build consensus, build strong teams, and empower others.
• Continuous Learning: The ability to question assumptions and beliefs, understand strengths and shortcomings, and commit to continued growth within a community context.
• Diversity and Inclusion: The ability to work effectively and inclusively with different people and understand how to adapt to different cultures and environments.
• Focus on Assets: The ability to catalyze the natural leadership of everyone, be truly accountable to those served, and approach opportunities for change with awareness of community assets.
• Integrity: The ability to meet commitments, act responsibly with public and personal trust, and be accountable for words and actions.
• Innovation: The ability to respond to demographic, political and social shifts by acting in creative ways that generate new solutions.

Public Allies partners with nonprofit organizations and universities to operate multiple Public Allies sites nationwide.

• Michelle Obama (Founding Executive Director, Public Allies Chicago 1993), former First Lady of the United States
• Vanessa Kirsch (Co-founder and President & CEO 1992–1996), Founder and CEO, New Profit Inc.
• Sasheer Zamata (New York 2010), cast member, Saturday Night Live
• Omar Brownson (Silicon Valley 1997), the Executive Director at Los Angeles River Revitalization Commission
• Jason Holton, (Milwaukee and National Office), Executive Director & Vice President at City Year Milwaukee
• Joe Matassino (Delaware 2000), Director of Development at Delaware Center for Horticulture
• Kelly Zen-Yie Tsai (Chicago 2000), Spoken Word Poet / Filmmaker / Interdisciplinary Artist
• Matt Darby (Central Florida, 2014), former NFL player with the Buffalo Bills
• Abel Nunez (Washington DC 1997) is the Executive Director at Central America Resource Center – DC
• Travis Rejman (Chicago 1995), Executive Director at The Goldin Institute
• Jose Rico (Chicago 1994), Executive Director at White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics
• Charles McKinney (North Carolina 1996, Program Staff of Public Allies North Carolina 1997–1999), Professor of Africana Studies at Rhodes College of Memphis, Tennessee
• Malik Yusef (Chicago 1997), poet and Grammy Award-winning recording artist.

• AmeriCorps
• Teach For America
• City Year