Meet Erika

My name is Erika Diaz-Chavez, and I was born in Morelia, Michoacán. I came to Chicago at a very young age and grew up in Pilsen, where one of the best parts of my childhood was the community and the culture. One of the first things my parents did when we got here was sign us up for swim lessons at Harrison Park — so the Park District has been part of my life since I was three years old.
 

That connection turned into a career. I've worked for the Chicago Park District for more than 20 years, gaining experience in administration, programming, site management, community engagement, and staff training and professional development. It's some of the most diverse ground in the city, and doing this work well means bringing people from different backgrounds together. That's how you actually reach the communities you're trying to serve.
 

I'm running for the Chicago Board of Education because our schools need that same kind of leadership: rooted in community, focused on results, and able to bring different neighborhoods to the same table. Public education is the foundation of Chicago's future, and I want to bring what I've learned managing public spaces — how to listen, how to manage resources responsibly, and how to deliver — to how we run our schools.
 

I now live in Bridgeport, part of the diverse District 7B I hope to represent. I'm committed to listening to residents, understanding the unique priorities of our communities, and working to strengthen opportunities for all families and students.