A well-known mentor to Barack Obama in Chicago was Jerry Kellman , the community organizer who helped train him early in his career. Another important Chicago mentor was Abner Mikva , who encouraged Obama’s public- service path.

Quick Scoop

  • Jerry Kellman mentored Obama when he was a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side.
  • Abner Mikva later served as a political mentor and encouraged Obama to pursue public service.
  • If you mean his early Chicago organizing years , the most common answer is Jerry Kellman.

Context

Obama’s Chicago years were shaped by both grassroots and political mentors, so people sometimes name different figures depending on the period they mean.