Biography

Benjamin Juarez

Benjamin was born in Los Angeles, CA. His parents had escaped from El Salvador in 1979, just before what was about to become the Salvadoran Civil War.

In April of 1995, due to the changes in California’s economy, and concerns about its future, Benjamin’s parents decided to move to Milwaukee. He moved to the South Side’s 8th Aldermanic District and has lived here ever since, except for going to graduate school in Oregon.

Benjamin graduated from Pulaski High School in 2001, where he competed in national and state chess tournaments. After high school, he decided to work and learn more about the world before attending college. Between 2001 and 2005, he held various positions, which included being a machinist and a carpenter.

In 2005, Benjamin enrolled at Marquette University, where he studied Global Politics and Theology, and minored in French. He was a McNair Scholar in 2008 and graduated in 2009. He then attended graduate school at Oregon State University, where he earned his Master of Public Policy Degree. During this time, he acquired applied policy analysis experience at the local, state, and international level. Benjamin returned to Milwaukee and the 8th district promptly after graduating and has been an active part of the community ever since.

Benjamin has a long history of getting involved in neighborhood initiatives. He has worked as a sports instructor at the Journey House and as a volunteer advisor to the president of the Lao Buddhist Temple to help in the process of establishing a new community computer center. Benjamin has a passion for working with youth and inspiring them to get involved in their communities in a positive way.

Benjamin is currently a Spanish instructor at the Darrell Lynn Hines College Preparatory Academy of Excellence, and a chess instructor at the Milwaukee Jewish Day School. He is completely bi-lingual in English and Spanish. In his free time, Benjamin enjoys a good chess tournament, playing soccer at Mitchell Park and spending time with his large and close-knit family.

Listen to the WISN 1130 "Valor Latino" Radio Interview