Davis earned her undergraduate degree at Brown University, double-majoring in Computer Science and Political Science, before going on to obtain a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School. Her background spans both tech and law, which she believes has prepared her to champion transparency, fiscal responsibility and ethical leadership in city government.
Before moving to Evanston, Parielle Davis worked with the Boston branch of the NAACP to advocate for the implementation of body cameras on police officers, demonstrating her commitment to accountability and justice. Shortly after moving to Evanston, Davis founded Black Residents of Evanston, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting local families. One of its flagship initiatives, Project Black Box, collaborates with 15 community organizations to provide essential resources for new parents, underscoring her dedication to community well-being and equity. As founder, Parielle represents Black Residents of Evanston in the Evanston Early Childhood Council (EECC). A pivotal chapter of Davis’s public service journey includes her role as Vice President of the Most Livable City Association (MLCA), where she led efforts to oppose the rezoning of Ryan Field for large-scale commercial events, raising concerns about noise, traffic, and community disruption. Under her leadership, the MLCA successfully pushed the city and Northwestern University toward negotiating a more comprehensive community benefits agreement.
Having experienced housing insecurity firsthand, Davis passionately advocates for affordable housing. In an op-ed, she recounted moving more than a dozen times before her mother secured a housing voucher, which gave her family the first real stability they had known. Consequently, she has criticized Evanston’s Envision Evanston 2045 plan for not being data-driven. She opposes the plan’s calls to remove R-1 zoning, as she has not seen data-driven evidence that it would meaningfully increase affordable housing enough to justify its significant unpopularity among the residents it would most directly affect.
If elected, Davis promises to:
- Represent residents’ voices and avoid undue influence from powerful interests,
- Increase transparency in decision-making and budgeting,
- Support small businesses and champion responsible fiscal management,
- Defend human rights and the environment, embracing equitable, sustainable policies, and
- Expand affordable housing through measures based on data and research.
Davis’s campaign gained fresh momentum when Mary Rosinski, a community activist and former 7th Ward candidate, withdrew from the race and threw her support behind Davis. Rosinski emphasized their shared values and praised Davis as a genuinely independent voice who will prioritize local interests. Davis has been endorsed by Northside Democracy for America, Independent Voters of Illinois – Independent Precinct Organization, and Most Livable City Association.
Through her legal and technical expertise, as well as her firsthand understanding of housing insecurity, Parielle Davis aims to bring a fresh perspective to the Evanston City Council and work diligently to preserve the city’s diverse, welcoming character.