“I wear many hats as an adjunct professor, nonprofit leader, small business owner, but each role has been chosen intentionally to create pathways for equity, community healing, and systemic change.”

Chiante’ Hamilton is pursuing a Master of Public Affairs at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. She grew up in a zip code where the average annual income is just $13,000; yet, Chiante’ was determined to become the first in her family to attend college. Education, Chiante’ writes, “is a legacy that I am building every day.”

Chiante’ previously earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with minors in sociology and communication from Western Michigan University. There, she laid the foundation for her extensive record of leadership, including becoming the first Black woman to serve as student body president and earning recognition for institutionalizing civic engagement on campus which continues today. Chiante’ also worked multiple part-time jobs to support herself through her degree.

Since 2019, Chiante’ has balanced her professional responsibilities with caring for her mother and grandmother. This responsibility caused Chiante’ to put her graduate education on pause as she managed medical care and daily support for both women — but it also deepened Chiante’’s appreciation for the importance of equitable systems for the most vulnerable populations.

Meanwhile, Chiante’ has expanded her professional resume significantly. As Chiante’ puts it, “I wear many hats as an adjunct professor, nonprofit leader, small business owner, but each role has been chosen intentionally to create pathways for equity, community healing, and systemic change.” As executive director of the Society for History and Racial Equity, Chiante’ has grown the organization’s budget to an aggressive goal of over $1 million by the end of 2025. She supported initiatives that declared racism a public health crisis and resulted in the introduction of new behavioral health services in Kalamazoo.

As a Gen Z leader, Chiante’ envisions a future in state government where she can help design policies that advance racial and educational equity across Michigan. She also plans to continue teaching, mentoring, and building spaces where future leaders can see themselves reflected and equipped to create systemic change.

CEW+ celebrates Chiante’’s unfaltering pursuit of equity and names her a Margaret Dow Towsley Scholar.