Jessica Sanchez was born in Michoacan, Mexico. Before her first birthday, she was sent to live in South Central Los Angeles. For the past 8 years, she has worked in the Government Relations Department of Homeboy Industries as a social justice advocate for the formerly incarcerated and underserved minorities in her role as Advocacy and Resource Coordinator. Within this role, she has been able to work on legislation and help pass bills like SB731, which will result in more than a million Californians being able to take advantage of employment, housing, and other key opportunities. Through her work, she helps develop vital relationships with key political figures. She has managed voting flex centers and provided people with knowledge on how to research and find information on candidates and policies. She led the way in developing and facilitating classes which educate people on how to advocate for themselves or their communities.

She is also a board member at Initiate Justice Action, a system-impacted led organization that works with community leaders to create policies that will positively impact the currently and formerly incarcerated community, helping them to have a better life during and after incarceration.