Traore’s work is aimed towards advocating for and empowering the “everyday person” who traditionally has been excluded from political conversations.  Traore became involved as a teenager at the Cincinnati Lincoln Community Center as a peer mentor.  That experience led to her involvement on Cleveland State’s campus as a peer mentor as well as campus leader/organizer, and eventually a Fellow in the Young People For Program. 

As the founding executive director of Power Network an educational and service based nonprofit focused on leadership development with students of color on college campuses throughout the state of Ohio; Traore works with this group teaching applicable and transferable organizing skills which will aid them in becoming stake holders and contributors to their future neighborhoods and communities.

Traore has received local and state recognition for her service to the community and civic engagement work which includes a January 2009 article by the Call & Post which featured Power Network and the “successful” work achieved during the presidential election.  Progress Ohio blogger Bieber highlighted Traore as a young motivated community “activist whose commitment to her community is impressive”.  Additionally, Traore has received the City Year Cleveland Community Champion Award and Wanda M. Coleman Community Service Award.  Traore has received additional awards and recognitions from the Children’s Defense Fund and Cleveland State University.

Recently, Gigi Traore was accepted into the “Green For All” Fellowship Academy a program that educates participants on how to advocate for and build an inclusive green economy on the local level.  Additionally, Traore will be graduating from the “YP4 Leadership Academy” in June; a 10-month program that includes leadership development, organizational management training, and personal ecology training.

Traore is a graduate of Cleveland State University and the Front Line Leaders Academy.  She resides in the Central neighborhood with children DeVante and Jamekia and attends the Word Church at East Tech High School.  With her proven leadership; openness to learn new means of improving her community; relatability to all people and passion to serve; Traore will continue to work diligently to energize and empower community members to improve their neighborhoods.