About Me

I’m Jesus Valencia. I was raised in the Bronx, packed into a tiny apartment my family shared with four others, all grinding to keep their children like me fed and with a roof over our heads. It was loud, close, and felt like family in the best and toughest ways. I spent my early years playing soccer on cracked concrete, learning to assimilate to a place I felt an outsider in, and watching my mom pull long hours so I could have a shot at something more.

When I was around 6, we left New York and moved to Columbus. Northside first, in the projects, but the only place we could afford. Money was still tight, we were still figuring things out, but it was ours. I learned to help translate phone calls and paperwork, not because it was noble, but because someone had to. I kept my head in the books, the one way out my mom always ingrained in me, and took every shot I could to move forward.

At 16, we landed in Dublin. It was a different world, quiet streets, new schools, kids with way more than we ever had. It was a culture shock, but it pushed me to adapt, figure it out, and keep grinding. I found my lane in academics and got serious about building something real for myself and my family.

College was not some automatic step; it was a decision to bet on myself. I was no stranger to being a first in my family; I was the first to graduate from elementary school, middle school, high school, and now, the first to attend college. I landed a full ride to The Ohio State University, started studying Political Science and Public Policy on a Pre-Law Track, and kept side gigs to cover the everyday expenses of books, materials, food, expenses often forgotten. Even now, between juggling internships, working events, and finding ways to pay for daily stuff, it is all about staying consistent.

But there is more to me than just work. I still grab my camera any chance I get, it is my way to slow down and capture moments that actually mean something. I enjoy going to play soccer and to rock climb with friends. I am a huge comics fan and have proudly been the top 1% of Bad Bunny listeners for seven years straight. 

At the end of the day, I’m just a kid who was raised by two strong Mexican women, my mom and my grandma, who showed me what grit looks like, what respect looks like, and what admiration looks like. I carry that with me into everything I do. I am hoping all this effort stacks up into something bigger, not just for me, but for the next kid growing up trying to figure it all out, those who have to overcome systems not built for them in mind.

My mission is to keep showing up and putting in the work, not just for me, but for my family and everyone like us who’s hustling for something better. I’m here to open doors and make sure folks like us get a seat at the table.

I see myself building a future in law and public policy that actually delivers for the people who raised me, the families juggling rent, language, and the hope that all this struggle will pay off. I want my grind to mean a better established platform for kids who have shared similar struggles growing up and not seen any representation.

If you’re about building real coalitions and pushing from the ground up, let’s connect. I am always open to teaming up with others wanting to move our communities forward.