There is nothing static about Black History Month. It is as dynamic as the blackness we celebrate. Maria Hadden and Ugo Okere are black leaders in Chicago, looking to become part of history, the Chicago Defender reports.

Hadden is on the campaign trail to take over the Rogers Park 49th ward alderman position from incumbent Joe Moore. If Hadden wins, she'll be the first black queer alderman elected in Chicago.

Okere is a 21-year-old, Nigerian immigrant, campaigning for the alderman seat in the 40th ward. Okere identifies as a Democratic Socialist, inspired by his involvement in Bernie Sanders' campaign.

If elected, both candidates will be the first black people to represent wards in the city's historically white north side.

"I’m running because we’re in a moment right now. We are in a moment, where people realize that the city of Chicago’s schools are segregated not just by race, but also by economics," Okere said.

"Bernie said throughout the entire campaign that young people need to run for office and people of color need to run for office because, when we don’t we get people like Donald Trump or Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell royally screwing up the country in the interest of the capital class," Okere continued.

Hadden touched upon the challenges of the campaign, especially running against a longtime incumbent who certainly has advantages. "In Chicago, we have some of the most costly local elections in the country. My opponent has a knowledge base of funders and donors; a lot of that comes with incumbency," she said.

Hadden and Okere have key issues to address:

"Formalizing the relationships with our schools, social service partners and community organizations. I want an Aldermanic Youth Council," said Hadden. "First is setting up the structures that is going to further communication and democratic participation between all who are doing community work in the org, so my team and others can collaborate."

"Education," Okere said. "We need an elected school board in the city of Chicago. We as aldermen can’t just make an elected school board. We have to go through the state legislature. But I will be an advocate and supporter of CTU [Chicago Teacher's Union] to ensure that it will pass in the state legislature."

When each candidate was asked to use one word to describe their campaign, Hadden picked "inclusivity" while Okere went with "community-centered."

Should they win, Hadden and Okere will join Chicago's 50-person city council.

Good luck to both!

Rogers Park

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