Meet Angela

Angela Clay's story is rooted in the 46th Ward.Born and raised in the community she now serves, Angela comes from a family that has called the 46th Ward home for more than 80 years. Raised in a multiracial, multigenerational family, she learned early on the values of community, service, and looking out for your neighbors.

Angela attended Joseph Brennemann Elementary School and later graduated from Uplift Community High School, the only high school located in the 46th Ward. As a student leader, she became a founding member of Voices of Youth in Chicago Education (VOYCE), where she worked alongside her peers to research the causes of Chicago's high school dropout rate and advocate for meaningful reforms. Many of the recommendations developed through that work continue to influence Chicago Public Schools today.

Driven by a passion for public service and community advocacy, Angela earned a degree in Public Policy from DePaul University. At just 22 years old, she became the youngest president in the history of Voice of the People in Uptown, a nonprofit organization with a decades-long legacy of protecting and expanding affordable housing for working families, seniors, and longtime residents.

Throughout her career, Angela has focused on bringing people together to solve problems and create opportunities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, while caring for her newborn daughter, she organized mutual aid efforts throughout the community, helping neighbors access food, essential supplies, and critical resources during an unprecedented time of need.

Elected Alderwoman of the 46th Ward in 2023, Angela has remained committed to the values that shaped her upbringing: ensuring residents have a voice in decisions that affect their neighborhoods, protecting affordable housing, supporting neighborhood schools, strengthening public infrastructure, and building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Today, Angela continues to lead with the belief that real progress happens when neighbors come together, stay engaged, and work toward a shared vision for the future.