Welcome to the JCUA Board of Directors, Nia Crosley!

We’re thrilled to share that Nia Crosley has joined the JCUA Board of Directors! Nia is currently a law student at Northwestern University and a Jewish educator. She first got involved with JCUA when she moved to Chicago two years ago, and has been an active member of the Kol Or Jews of Color Caucus.

Nia is originally from Texas: she grew up in Austin and taught eighth-grade U.S. History and English in Houston for six years. She currently teaches second grade religious school at Temple Sholom and plays in the Grateful Klez, Temple Sholom’s klezmer band.

Nia attended the University of Pennsylvania for undergrad and Rice for a master’s in teaching. She is passionate about civil rights litigation and has interned in exoneration work, plaintiff suits, and arbitration panels. Pedagogically, Nia is interested in Black Studies and socially conscious teaching around race, class, and gender.

When not at school or at temple, Nia is active in Chicago’s dance and arts community.

Nia says: “I am excited to join the Board of JCUA because I love being around people who ‘get it’ — those who are proud to use their Jewishness to solve complex issues. I am from Texas and am very moved by Chicago’s amazingly rich history and its deeply entrenched problems around three major areas: education, the law, and the arts. I look forward to listening, learning, and advocating with a great group of Jewish leaders.”