Jesenia Chávez is a proud Chicanita, public-school teacher, writer, poet and storyteller.  

She is a border crossing, Spanglish speaking, bachata dancing, ukulele playing human trying to make you laugh, cry, and giggle at the absurdities and the beauty in the world.  

She has kept a diary since elementary school, and it is filled with witty observations on the life of a Mexican girl in Southeast Los Angeles (or as the young kids say #SELA) who keeps losing her chanclas.  Her writing is inspired by her parents’ migration to Los Angeles, from Chihuahua, México, and the trips back and forth.

She attended University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and majored in Chicano Studies and Sociology with a minor in history.  Here she solidified her love of performance and theater by participating in a Chicano theater group Teatro Nopal.  She found her poetic voice in Dr. Chela Sandoval’s class and through her work at the Multi-Cultural Center where she first saw performers of color making a living as artists! 

She went on to pursue her teaching credential and a Masters in Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).  #latinawithamasters #cancelstudentloandebt

Her teaching career as a 18-year veteran of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), provides her with a passion for social justice because our chronically underfunded, underserved communities deserve better! #fullyfundourschools. She was laid off her first two years of teaching, rehired, transferred, gone on strike in the rain #redfored, AND taught kindergarten and first grade in English and Spanish during the pandemic. #resilient

Her writing also reflects the sense of loss in the rapidly changing landscape of Los Angeles, and the stark inequalities you can observe on just one street in Los Angeles. #gentrification

She relishes the small moments in between when she can catch her breath and put pen to paper.

She also co-hosts Que Me Cuentas (What can you tell me): A mostly Latinx storytelling podcast with a friend, where they feature the diverse experiences of the Latinx community.

She believes in the healing power of storytelling, poetry, dancing, nature and lots of hugs.  Find her on IG @chabemucho or drinking fancy coffee at your local café.