David Rojas, Jr. is a first-generation social entrepreneur and Chicago native whose work sits at the intersection of youth workforce development, social impact strategy, and community-centered leadership.

A proud graduate of Social Justice High School in Little Village and a Chicago Posse Scholar, David earned his undergraduate degree in Hispanic Studies from Connecticut College, with a focus on global community development. While still a college student, he began designing workforce and career development programs for first-generation youth in his home neighborhood of South Lawndale—work that would later become the foundation of TA98.

In 2013, David was selected as a Global Davis Projects for Peace Fellow, where he launched a career development training program supporting first-generation college students in Little Village. What began as a college project evolved into a long-term commitment to building pathways for young people navigating education, work, and leadership for the first time.

In 2018, David founded The Alliance 98 (TA98), a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) social enterprise that provides young adults ages 16–24 with meaningful, paid career opportunities. Since its founding, TA98 has served more than 600 young adults and mobilized over $1M in workforce development resources for local, national, and global impact.

David holds an Executive Certificate in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania and earned his MBA through One League, in partnership with Harvard Business Publishing and Stanford Online. Prior to focusing full-time on TA98, he served as a Success Coach and Manager of Near-Peer Mentorship with Noble Schools, supporting hundreds of first-generation college graduates and employer partners across the Midwest.

David’s work has been featured by regional and national media outlets, and he has been recognized for his leadership and community impact throughout Chicago. In 2025, he was honored by the Chicago Bulls as part of their MLK Legacy Honorees, recognizing individuals whose work advances equity and opportunity across the city.

At the core of David’s work is a simple belief: when young people are given access, trust, and opportunity, they don’t just find jobs—they help shape the future. Through TA98, he remains committed to building systems that connect young adults to living-wage careers, mentorship, and safe spaces to grow their identities and ambitions.