CHANEL HARGRAVE-MURRY
Supervisor of Community Connections
Peoria Park District
Occupation: As supervisor of community connections for Peoria Park District, Chanel Hargrave-Murry has broad responsibilities designed to build and maintain the park district’s relationships with diverse community groups, organizations and residents. Her work often involves coordinating special events, promoting programs and identifying community needs to ensure the park district serves the entire community.
Community Involvement: With her husband, she is a co-founder of Peoria Fashion Week. She serves on the boards of Exposition Gardens and Heart of Illinois Fair and as second vice president of the Peoria branch of the NAACP. She has also volunteered for the Children’s Home, Ronald McDonald House, PCCEO Food Bank, Fill the Fire Truck, Peoria Public Schools’ Power Lunches and Peoria Grown.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, business operations/strategic marketing, University of Phoenix
Elected Office: She was appointed to the board of Peoria Public Schools in 2024 to represent District 3.
Three things she’s passionate about: “Community, our youth, and family”
Three favorite hobbies: “Organizing, fashion shows, listening to live music”
Career Influence or Inspiration: Her mother’s resilience inspires her. Telesia Hargrove immigrated to the United States from Samoa, gained U.S. citizenship in high school, served in the U.S. Army, and, after her marriage failed, raised Hargrave-Murry and her three brothers as a single mother. “She’s so grounded and she always keeps me grounded.”
Inspirational Quote: “My life didn’t please me, so I created my life.” Coco Chanel
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