Cherie Cruz
Cherie Cruz is a passionate advocate, educator, and changemaker dedicated to advancing education, justice reform, and community empowerment across Rhode Island. A lifelong Rhode Islander and proud graduate of Brown University, she holds both an AB in Education Studies (with honors) and an AM in Urban Education Policy as a UEP Fellow. Today, she serves as the Rhode Island State Representative for District 58 in Pawtucket, where she champions policies focused on family advocacy, behavioral health, criminal legal reform, and equitable access to education and housing. Her guiding belief—“invest in people, not prisons”—underscores her tireless commitment to dismantling systemic barriers and creating pathways for opportunity and restoration.
Before entering public office, Cherie built a career rooted in community organizing, mentorship, and family advocacy. She spent over seven years as a Program Supervisor with the Comprehensive Community Action Program’s Parents as Teachers initiative, empowering parents to become their children’s first and most influential teachers. Her experience also includes statewide leadership roles advancing youth and family engagement in Rhode Island’s System of Care, as well as her current work as a Tenant Organizer with ReclaimRI. Recognized as one of the Providence Journal’s 22 People to Watch in 2022 and named the RI ACLU Lay Leader of the Decade (2009–2019), Cherie’s leadership reflects both lived experience and deep empathy for the communities she serves.
Beyond her professional and legislative roles, Cherie remains deeply connected to her roots and her community. She has volunteered for over a decade with organizations such as the ACLU of Rhode Island and the Transcending Through Education Foundation, supporting individuals impacted by incarceration in pursuing education. Recently, she launched her own podcast to highlight the mentors and changemakers who have inspired her journey—a journey that began as a young mother working in the cafeteria at Brown University and came full circle when she returned decades later as a student. Today, as she raises her 10-year-old granddaughter, Cherie continues to live by the values of hope, perseverance, and collective care—proving that with the right support and belief, transformation is not only possible but powerful.
• Notary Public
• Brown University - AM
• The RI Welcome Back Center
• Yes We Cannabis RI
• RI ACLU
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying true to myself and maintaining the determination to keep pushing forward and fighting for the life I want to create.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to listen more than I speak. I’ve learned to pause and ask myself whether what I’m about to say adds value—because thoughtful communication is often more powerful than simply having something to say.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to truly get to know your community and invest in building meaningful relationships. Remember that people are people—treat everyone with respect, empathy, and understanding. Don’t take things personally, and focus on fostering genuine human connections that can help you grow both personally and professionally.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The most important values to me—in both my work and personal life—are hard work, faith, and perseverance. I believe that with dedication, trust in the process, and an unwavering sense of hope, anything is possible.
Locations
Reclaim RI
Gilford, CT 06437