Youth Advisory Council

Rihaan is a freshman at Wabounsie Valley High School and joined the Youth Advisory Council due to his mother managing a small business, Hatke, which is a member of Chicago Fair Trade. Rihaan is interested in spreading knowledge about fair trade to students and other individuals around him. In his spare time, Rihaan plays soccer at the national level and loves spending time with friends and family.

Zoe is a senior at Whitney Young Magnet High School and joined the Youth Council after becoming co-president of the Whitney Young Fair Trade Club. She is especially interested in how fair trade initiatives play a role in helping mitigate the climate crisis. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys tutoring middle school students and playing tennis!

Hannah is a senior at Lane Tech High School, joining the Youth Council after interning over the summer with Chicago Fair Trade. She's interested in accessible and stylish alternatives to fast fashion, and is working on getting Lane Tech to be a Fair Trade designated high school. Hannah loves to play guitar and drums, make chainmaille jewelry, and watch nerdy TV shows.

Helen is a senior at Whitney Young Magnet High School. She joins the Youth Council while co-presiding over her school's Fair Trade Club. This year, the club has heard from a former sweatshop worker and fair trade business owner. Helen takes special interest in the effects of textile production on the environment and the health of those affected by its destruction. She also enjoys competing for her school's Academic Decathlon team and figure skating.

Sam is a senior at the University of Illinois Chicago and joins the Youth Council after interning with Chicago Fair Trade as part of UIC's Sustainability Internship Program. He is interested in fair trade policy in Chicago and Cook County, as well as unions and labor relations. Outside of fair trade, Sam serves as the Station Manager of UIC Radio.

Hannah is a first-year student at Marquette University and was previously the founder and president of the Fair Trade Club at St. Ignatius College Prep. She has continued her passions for sustainability and the rights of people in the workplace through bringing awareness to how people can support and shop fair trade. For the past two years, she has hosted a table selling fair trade products at the Holiday Shopping Event at her school. Hannah enjoys trying new food and talking with people.

Delaney is honored to be a part of the Youth Advisory Council after hearing fair trade activist Nasreen Sheikh speak at their school. They attend Whitney Young, a Fair Trade Designated school! Delaney is especially interested in coffee and its journey from the farm into their cup. When they’re not advocating for fair trade or drinking coffee, you can usually find Delaney curled up with a good book or some poetry.

Carlos is currently a junior enrolled at Jones College Prep. He joined the Youth Council after participating in Chicago Fair Trade's Museum Makers program via After School Matters. He is mainly intrigued by industrial farming and the negative effects it has on farmers, animals, and the environment. He is hoping to organize a Fair Trade Club at his school, inspired by other CPS schools such as Whitney Young. In his spare time, Carlos likes to watch sports and enjoys spending quality time with his family.

Richa is a senior at Whitney Young Magnet High School and joined Youth Council as a part of her internship with Chicago Fair Trade. She is the president of the Fair Trade Club at Whitney and is passionate about the connection between fair trade, climate, and soical justice. Recently, she spoke at the Climate Action Muesum about the importance of including teen voices in the Fair Trade and Climate movements. In her spare time, Richa loves reading and playing lacrosse.

Ria is a junior at Naperville North High School and initially joined the Youth Council because of her growing interest in her mom's own business, TerraKlay, a Chicago Fair Trade business member. She started attending shows and learned more about the work effort, dynamics, and benefits that fair trade has to offer. She recently had a trip to India to see the efforts made by artisans to make products and the beauty that fair trade provides. In her spare time, Ria loves to read, play waterpolo, and create hands-on projects.

Will is a senior at Hinsdale Central High School and joined the Youth Council after organizing and hosting the first HC Microfinance Fair Trade Fair, ultimately selling over $7000 in fair trade goods to the local community. He is especially focused on the intersection between Microfinance and fair trade and pursing their common goal of supporting underserved populations. Outside of these endeavors, Will plays basketball and cooks for his family.

Chloe is a junior at Walter Payton College Prep and joined the Youth Council after participating in Chicago Fair Trade's Museum Makers program through After School Matters. She is interested in sustainable agriculture and its effects on the environment, farm workers, and the general public. In her free time, Chloe likes to play guitar and listen to The Smiths.