Darius Ballinger
Program Fellow
As the Field Foundation's 2025-2026 Program Fellow, Darius Jovan Ballinger brings his research and experience to explore how philanthropy can act as early-stage investment in wealth-building for historically marginalized communities.
Darius is a community leader, urban planner, and social entrepreneur committed to bridging lived experience with policy change. He is the Founder of Chasing23 Youth Empowerment Group, a nonprofit focused on mentoring and restorative justice for young people.
Darius has been recognized as an Echoing Green Black Male Achievement Fellow, a University of Chicago Civic Leadership Fellow, and a Goldin Institute Chicago Peace Fellow. He earned the Get In Chicago Star award for leadership and was appointed by the Cook County Board to the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center advisory board. Darius also serves on the advisory boards for Chicago Learning Exchange and NBC Channel 5.
Through his work, Darius has drawn public praise from President Barack Obama and been featured by leading platforms such as the Aspen Institute, Forbes, and multiple podcasts and media outlets. Since founding Chasing23 in 2016, Darius has empowered young men in Chicago through mentoring, tutoring, and workforce development.