Best of Philly

2023 Precocious Political Prodigy

Jemille Duncan

Before ever matriculating on a college campus, 19-year-old Nicetown native Jemille Duncan had four years of public-policy experience under his belt as a legislative aide to City Councilmember Cindy Bass and, oh yeah, had been named a Gates Scholar. The Swarthmore sophomore’s latest exploits include advising City Councilmember Anthony Phillips, writing a provocative political column for the Philadelphia Citizen, and moderating a televised mayoral candidates forum. Kids these days.