Remembering Michelle Morales, a movement builder who led with love and backbone

Michelle Morales, president of Woods Fund Chicago and co-chair of the Chicago Racial Justice Pooled Fund, joined our ancestors on Thursday, October 22, 2026. Michelle modeled a brand of leadership that is as rare as it is vital. She was committed to uplifting the dignity of everyday people and led by example, calling each of us to deeper, more authentic servant leadership. Michelle had been behind the scenes and at the mic for many powerful political moments in Chicago. As a multi-hyphenate movement builder, her career spanned communities and issue areas. She taught young people in Humboldt Park, led the Illinois chapter of the Mikva Challenge and was an active community organizer for decades in Chicago’s Puerto Rican community. She worked to build power to free political prisoners, advocated for community development, education justice and economic justice, and ignited the power of young people at the helm of Mikva Challenge.

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