Fresh Leadership from Deep Roots

Walter Redmond Burnett isn't a junior or "the third"—and he wants people to know the difference. Call him Red.

"I think it's important to have the distinction, because we are our own individual people," Red explains. "I'm not just following in my father's footsteps—I'm forging my own path to serve the community that shaped me."

At 29, Red brings a fresh perspective that government should reflect the people it serves—especially young families facing today's economic realities. After watching the West Side transform from the Green Line trains he rode as a "290 baby," Red knows firsthand what change looks like when it works for everyone.

Red spent five years at Goldman Sachs structuring real estate deals worth millions, including projects right here in Chicago. But when his cousin was killed by gun violence in 2022, working in an "ivory tower" became impossible to stomach.

"I felt my body fighting me, telling me to return home," Red says. "The 27th ward is poised for significant development, and we need someone who speaks the language on both sides—corporate and community."

Red returned to Chicago in 2022 to mentor young men in his family and launched Hannibal Valley, a consulting firm focused on hospitality, real estate, and financial literacy. He's a graduate of the Black Bench Chicago 2024 leadership program and has volunteered for progressive campaigns across the city.

Red believes in dignity for all neighbors and government that actually makes life better—not just easier for developers and corporations.