Homewood-Flossmoor 2021 Grad Named Bank Of America Student Leader

FLOSSMOOR, IL — A 2021, Homewood-Flossmoor High School graduate was named one of five accomplished Chicago-area students, selected from more than 300 applicants, to this year's class of Bank of American Student Leaders in Chicago, according to a news release. The Bank of America Student Leaders program provides students a summer of leadership experience, civic engagement, and workforce skills-building.

Lauren Proby has been recognized as a 2021 Bank of America Student Leader, and for the last two years, Proby has dedicated 300 hours to the Youth Activism Project, a non-profit organization that supports teen activists to lead policy advocacy and community organizing, the release states.

Her service lead to an invitation to participate in Youth Activism Project’s Inaugural Fellowship, where she was appointed a leader of one of the project’s education equity campaigns, and was thoroughly involved with the organization’s Mental Youth Alliance as a Legislation Team Member, the release states.

"After receiving a delayed diagnosis of autism due to racial and gender biases, Lauren was inspired to join the Celebrating Differences Organization (CDO) to use her perspective as a Black woman and an autistic self-advocate to support others," the release states. "She was awarded the leadership positions of Illinois Chapter Lead and Executive Board Member where she sits as the only autistic person on the Executive Board of CDO. Most recently, she has been recognized as Co-Executive Director of the organization."

Proby has been appointed to the Illinois State Board of Education Advisory Council on the Education of Children with Disabilities. Here, she represents students with disabilities on the council.

According to the release, throughout the last four years, Proby was accepted into and has completed Peace First’s international B.U.I.L.D. (Black Unity Initiative for Leadership Development) program, became a certified Illinois Sibshop facilitator, has volunteered for the Progress Center for Independent Living and was certified by their Disability Legislation Program, and has discovered a love of podcasting through involvement with the organization Smiles Today.

On top of all this, Proby recently spoke on a panel with the National Center for Learning Disabilities regarding her journey to activism, and was also able to speak to a cohort of activists at Peace First regarding her experience with disability advocacy. She enjoys moderating and hosting panels and is proud of her written publications with mental health organizations, the release states.

This fall, Proby will attend Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia as a Dovey Johnson Roundtree Scholar. This 4-year full scholarship is awarded to 20 students in each class. While at Spelman, Proby plans to major in political science and dreams of becoming a judge.

Since 2004, the Bank of America Student Leaders program recognizes 300 community-focused juniors and seniors every year. These students hail from many diverse backgrounds, but are united by their drive and commitment, the release states.

Now in its 17th year, the 8-week paid internship pairs students with a Chicago-based nonprofit for a summer of leadership experience, skills development and community service. Students work 1:1 with nonprofit leadership and those they serve to understand how nonprofits work and the role they play in building up and supporting local communities. This year, the students are working with Northern Illinois Food Bank and Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, according to the release.