Chakena Perry is a native Chicagoan, hailing from the Back of the Yards and Ashburn neighborhoods. She currently resides in Justice, IL with her husband and their son. She received her B.A. in history from Connecticut College in December 2015 as a Posse Scholar and Chicago Scholar. She is currently pursuing her master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy. She serves as Chairwoman of the Cook County Young Democrats, Board President of Chicago Votes Action Fund, and a Board member for Planned Parenthood Illinois Action. She served a three-year term on Connecticut College’s Board of Trustees from 2016-19. Perry enjoys history, voting rights advocacy, environmental justice work, and women's rights organizing.