Giannoulias Announces 3rd Annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

Giannoulias Announces 3rd Annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award

Edwardsville Freedom Schools Trailblazer Amari’ah Carter & Rockford Youth Philanthropy Leader Jocelyn Solis Honored for Achievements

In partnership with the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias announced the recipients of the third annual John Lewis Youth Leadership Award (JLYLA), honoring two outstanding young Illinois leaders whose service reflects the enduring legacy of the late Congressman John Lewis.

Amari’ah Carter of Belleville and Jocelyn Solis of Rockford, both 21-years-old, were recognized for their exceptional leadership, civic engagement and commitment to empowering young people and underserved communities.

“It is an honor to celebrate the legacy of Congressman John Lewis by recognizing two remarkable young Illinoisans who are already making a meaningful difference,” Giannoulias said. “Amari’ah and Jocelyn embody Lewis’ belief in service, courage and lifting up others through action.”

Amari’ah Carter, a senior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, is a founding student member of the team that launched the SIUE Freedom School in summer 2024 with support from the Children’s Defense Fund. The six-week literacy and civic engagement program has served more than 200 elementary and middle school students in the East St. Louis area. Carter led an all-girls class during the program’s first year and was selected as a Sankofa Servant Leader in 2025, helping open a second site in Alton. By the end of the program, 84% of students improved their reading skills and 94% of parents reported increased civic engagement.

Jocelyn Solis, a senior at Rockford University, leads the “In Youth We Trust” youth philanthropy program through the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois. The program empowers high school students to review grant applications and direct funding to community organizations serving children and families. Over the past two years, Solis has guided more than 30 teen leaders in distributing more than $80,000 across Winnebago, Stephenson, Ogle and Boone counties, benefiting more than 32,000 youth and their families. She also mentors first-generation college students through Rockford University’s First Gen Forward Club and was a featured speaker at the Second Annual First-Generation College Student Celebration Dinner in November 2025.

Giannoulias also recognized 18-year-old Soha Ali as First Runner-Up for the 2025 award. Ali, a freshman at DePaul University, has been a leading advocate for teen mental health awareness. Working with NAMI DuPage, Ali has helped develop podcasts and youth-focused materials addressing teen suicide prevention and mental health challenges, particularly in marginalized communities. She has spoken to hundreds of students throughout DuPage County to help “end the silence” surrounding the teen mental health crisis.

This is the third year of Illinois’ participation in the NASS JLYLA program. Eligible applicants must be Illinois residents between the ages of 18 and 25 who demonstrate a strong record of service and leadership aligned with former Congressman Lewis’ lifelong commitment to justice and civic engagement. Nominations for the fourth annual Illinois John Lewis Youth Leadership Award will open in fall 2026.



Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Speaker House Chris Welch