From the president
Bianca Juarez, a first-year, first-generation student at the University of Houston-Downtown, is a passionate advocate for youth involvement in politics and community leadership. With over three years of experience working with Houston’s city government under former Mayor Sylvester Turner and current Mayor Whitmire, Bianca has dedicated herself to empowering young people to raise their voices and take action in their communities. During high school, she served as the Chief of Staff for the Houston Mayor’s Youth Council, where she co-hosted an event featuring Mayor Turner and the Chief of the Houston Police Department. Bianca’s commitment extends beyond advocacy events. She has worked on grassroots initiatives to inspire students in Houston’s surrounding communities, such as leading a workshop at the Youth Advocacy Summit hosted by the OCA–Asian Pacific American Advocates. As an honors college student, she collaborates with political organizations and peers to amplify youth voices. Bianca co-manages a political social media account that attracted over 15,000 followers and thousands of interactions. She has also canvassed neighborhoods and joined national efforts with the College Democrats to promote voting. Her vision is to empower the next generation of leaders to create a culture of civic engagement that drives positive change.
Personal Statement
In 2022, I joined the Houston Mayor’s Youth Council to elevate youth voice and representation in local government. As Chief of Staff, I centralized communication with community partners and organized key initiatives, including Fireside Chats with the Mayor, collaborations with the Houston Health Museum, and voter registration drives at my high school. On campus, I serve in a leadership role within the Student Government Association.
After volunteering at civic events and interning with Harris County officials, I used my position to connect students with county offices, increasing awareness and participation in local elections. Within the community, I help resist harmful policies under the state’s oversight of the Houston Independent School District by organizing student town halls, supporting local legal aid efforts, and volunteering in elementary summer programs to assist students with additional needs.
I also lead a non-profit organization with one main project and mission which is donating canes to low-income communities in Mexico and abroad to promote accessibility and independence for all. Nationally, I advocate for youth civic engagement through communications work with the College Democrats of America and by leading a student organization, Youth for Civic Power (previously, Youth for Harris-Walz). These roles allow me to address barriers to political awareness and voting rights.
My commitment to service reflects a belief in building an inclusive future where all voices are heard, and the law is understood and upheld as our society depends on it. By empowering others and tackling root causes, I strive to create meaningful and lasting change in my community and beyond.