DEE NIX

Darius Yorel Nix, best known as Dee Nix, is the ultimate example of possibility. For this reason, he understands the plights that seek to threaten the communities that he grew up in and the same ones where he has served as an educator for the past 18 years. Running for the 1st Congressional District of Illinois is anchored in his compassion to see the youth of those vulnerable neighborhoods, who are often overlooked, have access to the same tools as their counterparts so that they can compete on global levels. Bridging the gap between the charter school and public school models remains at the top of Nix’ educational initiatives. Nix is also committed to bringing necessary funding to the most underserved communities to impact issues such as food deserts, small business vitality and lack of employment and training.

The combination of his personal and professional experiences are what drives his passion to effect change across the 1st Congressional District of Illinois. Nix was born to two teenage parents in the Abla Projects on the westside of Chicago. Nix graduated from Roosevelt University with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, as well as an MBA and Graduate Certificate in Education Management and Leadership from Keller Graduate School. During his professional tenure, Nix worked as an educator at American Quality Schools, UNO Charter Schools and Chicago Jewish Day School, in Chicago. He also worked as a school administrator for Tech International Charter School in New York City and as an educator at Excelsior Classical Academy in Durham, North Carolina.

After moving back to Chicago, Nix joined the LEARN Charter School network as a middle school math teacher and 4th grade teacher. Nix then had the privilege to work for City Year Chicago, gaining another layer of experience as an Education Impact Manager. Nix currently teaches math, and culture at the middle-school level, and serves as a teacher development leader at KIPP Chicago (ASCEND) while simultaneously leading Friends in the City Foundation.

Founded by Nix in 2014, Friends in the City Foundation (FITCF) has provided after-school mentoring programs for Chicago Public School District and Robbins-Posen School District. In addition to providing mentoring programs, FITCF has awarded numerous scholarships and grants to high school seniors over the last five years.

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