Samantha Alexandra Martinez

Samantha Martinez smiles to camera.

Scholar Samantha Alexandra Martinez from University of Chicago Scholars 2021-2022.

Co-Founder, Gage Park Latinx Council

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Samantha Martinez is a first-generation, immigrant queer artist and co-founder of the Gage Park Latinx Council (GPLXC), the first community-led Cultural Center in Gage Park. Samantha develops and facilitates youth programs at GPLXC to create culturally affirming spaces where young people of color can imagine and lead change in their communities. In 2020, Samantha also co-founded GPLXC’s Mercadito, a free community market stocked with food and hygiene items that is visited by more than 90 residents every week. Samantha’s community-based work is led through an intersectional and anti-oppressive framework that considers the multiple intersections of oppression that impact the lives and experiences of Latinx, undocumented, and low-income people in Chicago.

Samantha is pursuing her master’s degree from the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice at the University of Chicago.

Your support turns hope into action

Donate to the Barack Obama Foundation.

The Barack Obama Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN 46-4950751).

More University of Chicago Scholars

More About the Scholars Program

Two women are hugging each other at an event. The first woman's face is obscured from the camera. She has dark hair and is wearing a black shirt and black pants. The second woman is turned towards the camera and smiling. She has a deep olive complexion, long dark hair, and is wearing a red jacket with black pants. Behind them, a woman in a blue dress stands off to the side.

More About the Scholars Program

The Obama Foundation Scholars program gives rising leaders from around the world who are already making a difference in their communities the opportunity to take their work to the next level.

Learn More
Edit Page