West End resident Chris Lewis filed papers last week to become a candidate for Alexandria School Board in District C.

In a statement released Tuesday, Lewis said he wanted to focus on improving community engagement in schools and focus on achievement for all students.

“Every one of us has a stake in having strong schools that attract families to Alexandria, and so we must work together to give all our children the support they need,” Lewis said.

Lewis is currently the deputy director of the Federal Communication Commission’s Office of Legislative Affairs. Before joining the FCC more than three years ago, Lewis was the North Carolina field director for the Obama campaign and worked as an organizer in several primary states.

He also previously worked for GenerationEngage, a nonprofit engagement initiative where Lewis says he learned the importance of “giving young people access to leaders and decision makers in their community.”  

The fourth-generation Alexandrian is a Harvard graduate and a product of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Fairfax County. He currently serves on the TJHSST Alumni Association Board.

“We need a school system where parents and students have a voice in policy decisions,” Lewis said. “If elected, I will be a strong advocate for the families on the West End and will promote greater input prior to important policy decisions.”

He added that School Board decisions need to be made in an “inclusive, data-driven way.” 

Lewis sits on the steering committee for ACTion Alexandria and on the board for the George Mason University Center for Social Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Alfred Street Baptist Church and the Alexandria chapter of the NAACP.

School Board candidates have until June 12 to file for the election, which will be held Nov. 6.