Sonya A. Lynch was born in Chicago, Illinois. She moved to Champaign in 1996 to provide her children with a safe environment. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies, with a minor in Psychology, from the University of Illinois at Springfield and her Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana‐Champaign. She is currently licensed as a Social Worker in the State of Illinois. She is employed full‐time as a Program Director of Prevention Services at the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club (DMBGC) and is currently site supervisor for DMBGC Teen Center and also manages the Juvenile Upward Mobility Program (JUMP), a therapeutic Day and Evening program for at‐risk youth. She received the social justice award from the McKinley Foundation and the Verdell Frazier Yong Award. She serves on the board of the coordinating council of Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, is a member of Urbana Rotary Club, is President of the Taylor Thomas Homeowner’s Association and a member of the Champaign Neighborhood Services Advisory Board.

Sonya was featured in Difference Makers: An eBlack Champaign-Urbana Publication.