Barrett's Bio
Keiana A. Barrett was born and raised in the South Shore community. As a youth she attended Bryn Mawr Elementary School (presently named Bouchet Elementary) on East 73rd Street along with participating in a wealth of youth programs at Rainbow Beach Park District. During her tenure as a member of the Jeffery Manor Girl Scout troop, Keiana developed a passion for community service alo
ng with collective work and responsibility. As a young adult, Keiana attended Illinois State University in Bloomington, Illinois, where as a freshman she was elected President of the Black Student Union, and was nominated by the President of the University to serve on the board of community liaisons. Following an extensive slate of downstate civic engagement campaigns, she was the only African American student to be selected as an Illinois Broadcasters Association fellow, during her senior year. Post-graduation, Keiana earned a Masters in Human Services from Spertus College in Chicago, Illinois, which helped to sharpen her skills as an advocate for racial and social justice. Professionally, Keiana has demonstrated her leadership skills while serving as a Procurement Buyer for Metra Commuter Service, National Press Secretary for the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Director of Communications for the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, DC, Director of Development and External Affairs for DuSable Museum of African American History, Chief of Staff for the 7th Ward Aldermanic Office and presently as the Press Secretary for Chicago Public Schools. A devoted Christian and loving single mother of two remarkable children, who both attend school in the ward, Keiana firmly abides by the principle of ‘each one – reach one’ instilled in her by her parents and grandparents; thus mentoring a gallery of emerging youth leaders. Likewise, Keiana possesses a keen sensitivity to the needs of working women along with the pressing urgency to reunite the black family and strengthen the fabric of our communities. Therefore, she has strategically affiliated herself with mission-driven civic and socially-conscious organizations, such as: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, League of Black Women, Black Public Relations Society, Chicago Association of Black Journalists and the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, in concert with serving as a loyal volunteer at the Prather Foundation for Young Women and the L.O.V.E. Barrett is an innovative leader, critical thinker, reliable servant, progressive fighter and proud resident of one of Chicago’s finest community’s - the 7th Ward of Chicago.
