2025 BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT:

Jaylin McClinton

Jaylin McClinton, a lifelong Chicagoan from the South Side, is a passionate advocate for social justice, inspired by his late grandmother, Bertha B. Cross. He currently serves as Building The Bench Counsel for the Alliance for Justice, a legal advocacy group focused on diversifying the judiciary. During the Biden- Harris Administration, he worked on Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff’s advance teams, contributing to campaign and official event operations.

Following law school, McClinton worked as a Government and Political Affairs Consultant for progressive causes from 2022 to 2024. In 2022, he ran an insurgent campaign for the 5th District Cook County Board Commissioner. His previous roles include working for the Barack Obama Foundation, Illinois Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and interning at the Obama-Biden White House.

McClinton earned his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, becoming the first lawyer in his family. He holds a B.A. in African-American Studies and Political Science from the University of Illinois. Actively engaged in legal organizations and mentorship, he is dedicated to public service.