Our Work

Whether at home in our local community or abroad, we are passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. We believe that we can be instruments of change and that making positive investments will pay off for future generations!

The AALR Ascent Fellowship

The AALR Ascent Fellowship is a comprehensive, multi-year developmental pipeline for students from Will, Kane, DuPage, and Cook Counties. It supports participants across two distinct tracks: the Foundation Track (Freshmen & Sophomores) and the Elevation Track (Juniors & Seniors).

The program is designed to help students transition smoothly through higher education, master career readiness, build professional networks, secure paid experiences, achieve financial independence, and embrace community leadership.

If you know a college student who could benefit from this experience, we would be happy to welcome them.

To sign up, click here.

Financial Literacy

Partnering with CLIMB USA, AALR seeks to provide a novice investing program designed for youth, adults, and families. The Stock Market Experience is an 8-week, hands-on, team-based simulation that teaches investing fundamentals, portfolio strategy, and wealth-building skills. The good news is that no experience is required.

The goal of this program is to demystify investing, build confidence and equip participants to be future investors.

Young Professional Board

AALR is searching for young professionals to support AALR's mission of empowering African American youth and young adults and will be adding new educational partners.

We are looking for individuals who are committed to making a difference and who have experience working in or alongside communities of color. Early career professionals, recent graduates or community advocates who would like to contribute their skills andleadership to strengthen AALR'simpact areinvited to sign up here.

Youth, Arts, Music, and Culture

Our Youth Art, Music, and Culture (YAMC) is a program for students (and their parents/guardians) to expand their view of the world through the arts and music.