The Palacio Podcast
Jorgel Chavez for President of the United States…in 2040
Jorgel Chavez is very involved at Long Beach City College (LBCC) and his community. He’s the outgoing Student Trustee on the LBCC Board of Trustees as well as on the board of the Associated Student Body (ASB is the voice for LBCC students). Somehow, Jorgel Chavez has also found time to serve on two honor society boards at the school along with being a member of the Honors Program and the Political Science Student Association. From there, the list goes on and on for Alpha Gamma Sigma, Kappa Chapter; Phi Theta Kappa, Beta Tau Chapter; State Senator Ricardo Lara’s Young Senators Program; and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia’s Young Legislators Program. But, his first priority is academics.
“I have a 3.9. I have 13 units. Last semester, I had a total of 19 units. I’m in the honors program. I’m a double major, political science with an emphasis in American Politics and Communications Studies with an emphasis in Speech Communication.”
Jorgel Chavez
And (I’m breathless), Jorgel Chavez also works at a non-profit as a youth leader.
“If I’m not at school, I’m studying. If I’m not studying, I’m with my students. If I’m not with my students, I’m with my girlfriend.”
All his obviously hard work got me wondering about why. Why put yourself through all this stress? Chavez says it’s all part of a timeline to 2040.
“I do want to become President of the United States. That’s what I want.”
Of course, this ambition doesn’t exclude first running for Governor of California or Unites States Senator. Spend 30 minutes with Jorgel Chavez and you quickly realize he’s very serious about his goal.
Did I tell you Chavez is only 20 years old? He turns 21 on June 7th, graduation day.
PalacioMagazine.com spoke with Jorgel Chavez in a very crowded and loud coffee house on 4th Street. (Editor’s note: This will be the last crowded and loud coffee house where I will ever do an interview. I hope.)
Jorgel Chavez Ambition and Drive
His Mother was born in Michoacán, Mexico and his father was born in San Francisco. Chavez is the lone child and that has helped shaped his drive.
“I really got my ambition, that strive to continue going further from just [noticing] the struggle going on in our community.”
Both his parents taught him one important lesson, especially his mother.
“I remember, at a young age, going into the bank and she would always tell me “I want to really see you working in a bank, not in the sun, working in construction, working with your hands.’”
His father reinforced that goal with the advice, “I don’t want you to work with your hands. I want you to work with your head.”
Aside from Cesar Chavez (no relation), he doesn’t remember being educated about other Latino community activists. He does remember the movie “Stand and Deliver.”
“I really want to change that. I do all this for the future generation so they can have someone to look up to and I want to be one of those people.”
From the Past to the Future
Jorgel Chavez became the youngest Commissioner to ever hold office in his hometown of Bell Gardens. He was appointed to the Recreation, Cultural, and Youth Commission by then-Councilmember Mendoza, now Mayor Mendoza. As Commissioner, Chavez and the other Commission members oversaw the City’s parks and recreation services and programs. He was elected Vice Chair by his fellow commission members.
Chavez is a first-generation college student completing his final semester at Long Beach City College. He’s headed to the University of Southern California with a double major in Political Science and Communication Studies.
