The Bears have named Chicago Hope Academy's Levi Mallette and Antioch Community High School's Sasha Johnson as recipients of the team's 2026 Black History Month Youth Leader Awards.
In its second year, the award celebrates student-athletes of the football community who embody leadership, academic excellence and a demonstrated commitment to creating positive impact within the Black community. Nominated by their high school football or flag football coaches, honorees are selected for their academic achievement, personal integrity and measurable impact beyond the game.
Mallette is a senior football player who represents excellence at the highest level across academics, athletics and community leadership. A Presidential Scholar with a 3.8 Grade Point Average, he has taken more honors and advanced placement courses than standard courses during his high school career. He will continue his academic and athletic journey later this year at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on a full football scholarship.
Mallette excelled on the field, at times playing center, defensive tackle, fullback, tight end, long snapper and kicker. A two-time IHSFCA All-State and Academic All-State selection, he was named the 2025 Chicagoland Christian Conference Defensive Player of the Year. As an offensive lineman, he did not allow any sacks or commit any holding penalties over three seasons. Defensively, he generated 68 tackles, nine sacks, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in two seasons.
Asked how he has succeeded in both academics and athletics, Mallette told ChicagoBears.com: "Honestly for me it's just consistency and discipline. And I surround myself with the right people. That's how I've gotten as far as I have. I listen to what they have to say and try to apply it to my life however I can."
Mallette has completed more than 125 hours of community service, working in food pantries, cleaning neighborhood parks, marching in anti-gun violence rallies and coaching youth in football, rugby and basketball camps across Chicago's West Side communities. He volunteers with organizations including Our Impact Matters and serves as a mentor through Urban Male Network, supporting young African-American boys through positive mentorship and leadership development.
"There are a lot of people that aren't as fortunate as I am," Mallette said. "Everything I have, I wouldn't want to waste that just on myself."
The most rewarding aspect of his community work is seeing smiles on kids' faces.
"That's something that's huge to me because I'm in a community where a lot of these kids might have a single parent that's raising them and a lot of them are raising themselves in a way and they have to mature a lot faster than they should," Mallette said. "Being able to see a smile on their faces is a great thing to me."
Mallette is grateful for the mentorship he has received from his father, Christopher Mallette, who serves as his high school football coach.
"Since I was a kid, he's always pushed me to do my best, especially to try harder," Levi said. "He never told me I had to play football. He always told me if I didn't want to play, I didn't have to play. He's been very encouraging throughout my journey."
A two-year elected team captain and founding member of his school's Black Student Union, Mallette lives a life of service year-round. His commitment to honoring Black history is reflected not in a single month, but in his daily pursuit of excellence, leadership and impact within his community.
Johnson, meanwhile, is a junior flag football player at Antioch who exemplifies leadership, resilience and pride both on and off the field. A standout varsity linebacker, she finished the 2025 season with 165 tackles, three sacks and seven interceptions, earning NLCC All-Conference honors.
Johnson embraces the responsibility of leadership daily. She leads drills with confidence, holds herself and her teammates accountable and consistently models respect, discipline and academic focus. In the classroom, she maintains a 3.3 GPA while balancing the demands of varsity athletics and extracurricular leadership.
Johnson told ChicagoBears.com that winning the award "makes me feel that all the work I've put in hasn't gone in vain and it's been noticed."
Johnson appreciates the guidance she has received from her coaches, including flag football coach Tammy Johnson, who nominated her for the award.
Sasha also serves as an officer in her school's Black Student Union, where she promotes unity, cultural awareness and student advocacy. She has participated in leadership discussions with school administration regarding representation, athletics and school climate, ensuring Black students are seen and heard. She also led the school's Black History Month display in the Commons, highlighting the positive impact Black Americans have had on the nation.
Johnson further extends her leadership into the community by coaching kids in both flag football and wrestling, serving as a visible role model for young Black athletes. Through her mentorship, she reinforces the importance of discipline, confidence and perseverance, embodying the spirit of service and representation central to Black History Month.
"I'm proud of my accomplishments and that I could be someone that people look up to," Johnson said.
Mallette and Johnson were selected by a committee of eight Bears staff members from across different departments and received a custom-painted NFL football that includes their names and the program logo as well as a gift bag filled with Bears giveaway items.
"As a first-generation graduate, community activist, and youth mentor, the Black History Month Youth Leaders awards mean everything to me," said Lenny Smith, Bears youth and high school football coordinator. "They're not just the future, they're the proof that our history lives on through purpose, resilience, and leadership. Investing in them isn't optional; it's personal to me."
