Jacqueline “Jae” Slaby is a candidate running for the Kalamazoo City Commission, running on a campaign of creating a culture of accountability, safety, and innovation in City Hall. Jae was raised in Battle Creek, participating in political life throughout their youth by raising money for 9/11 first responders for United Way and attending city commission meetings. They went to college in Philadelphia, getting their Bachelor’s from Bryn Mawr and their Master’s of City Planning from University of Pennsylvania. Again, Jae got involved, co-chairing public relations for the founding student chapter of the NAACP and serving as Outreach and Education Chair for SEPTA’s Youth Advisory Council. After returning home to Battle Creek, they were elected as the youngest trustee on the Battle Creek Public Schools Board of Education, where they were able to chair the successful passage of the $44.8 million bond in 2021. Most recently, Jae served as Neighborhood Activator for the City of Kalamazoo, increasing project implementation from 3 to 60 projects a year, attending and hosting over 150 community events, and writing the Stuart and Westwood neighborhood plans.